The way I understood it, once a show reaches 4 seasons, it’s deemed profitable or at least worthy of reruns? Why/how?
I’m not american if that’s relevant.
In: Economics
Syndication simply means that a TV show can be purchased and run by any local network.
Most shows are created by the network that initially airs them (e.g. CBS and The Big Bang Theory, NBC and Law and Order). They will be the only one who can air them for a time period.
Eventually, they are willing to sell the rights to other networks, usually local affiliates, so you may see reruns of a show on FOX in one area, but ABC in another, and so on.
The four seasons was just a guideline for when a show may have been popular enough to put into reruns. There’s nothing stopping anyone from syndicating a one-season wonder like Firefly if the rights holder is willing to sell.
Some shows are made for syndication, though, and go directly to the phase where they are shopped to networks.
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