Understanding the Survival Rate of Legal TV Shows in Syndication

Television series, especially those falling under the legal genre, have historically faced challenges when attempting to make the transition to syndication. Why do some serialized episodic shows like The Practice and Boston Legal struggle, while shows in the Law Order franchise do better?

The Commitment Factor

Shows like The Practice and Boston Legal are often characterized by a serialized narrative that requires the audience to follow along episode by episode to fully grasp the ongoing story arcs. These shows served as "appointment TV," where viewers had to make sure to tune in regularly to ensure they didn't miss any crucial developments. Unfortunately, this level of commitment doesn't translate well to the syndication market, where viewership is less predictable and more fragmented.

The One-Shot Factor

In contrast, shows in the Law Order franchise, such as Law Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), are known for their self-contained episode structures. These shows typically focus on quick-burn cases that can be resolved within the hour, making them more accessible and easier to follow. Thus, they're better suited for the syndication market because they don't rely on previous episodes or complex story arcs to resonate with viewers.

Linear vs. Serialised Narrative

This contrast between linearly connected primetime shows and serialized narratives is a key factor in the survival rate of legal TV shows in syndication. Shows like Dallas, ER, The OC, LOST, and Scandal, which feature ongoing story arcs, generally don't perform well in the syndication market because they require viewers to keep up with the narrative over multiple episodes.

Music Rights and Other Factors

Another issue that affects the syndication potential of shows like The Practice and Boston Legal is music rights. The introduction of new music formats or licensing restrictions can significantly impact a show's ability to be syndicated. This is exemplified by the case of Ally McBeal, which was pulled from syndication due to unresolved music rights issues. These challenges can be further compounded by the acquisition and integration of production houses and content libraries, as seen with Disney's acquisition of 20th Television.

The Success Stories: Law Order and SVU

Perhaps the most prominent examples of legal shows that have successfully navigated the syndication market are Law Order and SVU. These shows have managed to endure lengthy production runs, with SVU currently being one of the longest-running live-action scripted series on television, now in its 30th season. Their success can be attributed to their self-contained episode structures, limited overarching story arcs, and a formula that is easy to consume and understand across multiple viewings.

Challenges for Disney and 20th Television

Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox's filmed properties, including the shows produced by 20th Television, has presented numerous challenges. Many of these shows were produced for Fox and had established networks before Disney took the acquisition. This has led to a situation where these shows are often relegated to Disney-owned streaming services, such as Hulu, or have limited broadcast reach. Despite Disney's efforts to maintain the brand and content, the legal issues and challenges of integrating different content libraries have hindered their success in traditional syndication markets.

Overall, the survival rate of legal TV shows in the syndication market is heavily influenced by their storytelling structure, audience engagement, and the financial and legal challenges of integration and production. While some shows manage to thrive, others face significant obstacles in making the transition.