History Main / FirstRunSyndication

* ''Series/{{Andromeda}}'': Began in FRS, picked up by Creator/SciFiChannel for 4th season

* ''Series/{{Andromeda}}'': Began in FRS, picked up by [[Creator/{{Syfy}} Sci-Fi Channel]] for 4th season

* ''Series/{{Andromeda}}''

* ''Series/LightningForce''

In the late 1960s and early '70s, networks controlled three and a half hours of prime time a night, typically 7:30 - 11:00pm. The FCC ruled that to promote local programming they needed to be forced to give up a half hour. Called Prime Time Access, this was intended to be a half hour between the news and network entertainment, filled with local info and public affair programming created by the local stations. Instead the local stations just purchased bigger quantities of first run syndicated versions of {{game show}}s and other programming. While some of these shows were highly praised (''Series/TheMuppetShow'' and ''Series/MutualOfOmahasWildKingdom'' for example), most critics of the day bemoaned them as increasing 'The Vast Wasteland'.

Today, with the event of cable television and internet providers creating their own content, the practice is virtually no longer needed, except for a handful of reality shows (e.g., ''Series/JudgeJudy'') and news shows (e.g., ''Series/EntertainmentTonight'').

!!''Examples of First Run Syndicated shows

Today, with the event of cable television and internet providers creating their own content, the practice is virtually no longer needed, except for a handful of reality shows (e.g., ''Series/JudgeJudy'') and news shows (e.g., TMZ).

* ''The Ted Knight Show: Popular revamp of ''Series/TooCloseForComfort'', already greenlit for another season at the time of Ted Knight's sudden death.

* ''Series/MamasFamily'': This SpinOff of ''SeriesTheCarolBurnettShow'' spent a year and a half on NBC before going on to very successful FRS run.

''The Greatest Event in Television History'' is a series of specials aired on Creator/AdultSwim, each co-starring Adam Scott, recreating a famous 1980s television series opening credits scene accompanied with a {{Mockumentary}} about the making of the opening.

In the early days of television, First Run Syndicators profited by both no satellites transmitting network programming and the lack of product available to networks during downtime hours. While many bigger market stations produced their own news and children's shows, many smaller markets eagerly bought up the more professionally produced syndicated product.

In the late 60s and early 70s, networks controlled three and a half hours of prime time a night, typicly 7:30 - 11:00pm. The FCC ruled that to promote local programming they needed to be forced to give up a half hour. Called Prime Time Access, this was intended to be a half hour between the news and network entertainment, filled with local info and public affair programming created by the local stations. Instead the local stations just purchased bigger quantities of first run syndicated versions of GameShows and other programming. While some of these shows were highly praised (''TheMuppetShow'' and ''WildKingdom'' for example), most critics of the day bemoaned them as increasing 'The Vast Wasteland'.

In 1987 ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration''s success prompted a new era in syndicated ''AfterShow''s being created. Shows such as ''WKRP'' and ''WhatsHappening'' were revived, as well as new originals such as ''TalesFromTheDarkside'', ''FridayThe13thTheSeries'' and ''WarOfTheWorlds'', premiered to varying degrees of success.

Today, with the event of cable television and internet providers creating their own content, the practice is virtually no longer needed, except for a handful of reality shows (JudgeJudy) and news shows (TMZ).


''The Greatest Event In Television History'' is a series of specials aired on ''AdultSwim'', each co-starring Adam Scott, recreating a famous 80s television series opening credits scene accompanied with a {{Mockumentary}} about the making of the opening.

[[folder: Shows in First Run Syndication for its entire run]]

* ''FridayThe13thTheSeries''
* ''JudgeJudy''
* ''{{Monsters}}''
* ''TheMuppetShow''
* ''OutOfThisWorld''
* ''ThePeoplesCourt''
* ''SmallWonder''
* ''StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''
* ''TalesFromTheDarkside''

[[folder:: Shows in both First run and Network run]]

* ''MrEd'': One of the few shows to start out in FRS before being picked up by CBS for its second season on.
* ''TooCloseForComfort'': Cancelled by ABC after four seasons, a few seasons were FRS, before the show was totally revamped into the fully FRS AfterShow ''The Ted Knight Show''.
* ''{{Webster}}'': Was cancelled by ABC, it's last two seasons being FRS

[[folder: AfterShows that were FRS]]

* ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration''

* ''The Ted Knight Show: Popular revamp of ''TooCloseForComfort'', already green lit for another season at the time of Ted Knight's sudden death.

[[Shows in First Run Syndication for its entire run]]

[[Shows in both First run and Network run]

[[AfterShows that were FRS]]

Today, with the event of cable television and internet providers creating their own content, the practice is virtually no longer needed, except for a handful of reality shows (JudgeJudy) and news shows (TMZ).

Today, with the event of cable television and internet providers creating their own content, the practice is virtually no longer needed.