NBCUniversal Concludes Original First-Run Syndicated Programming

NBCUniversal has announced the conclusion of its original first-run syndicated television programming production, citing shifts in market conditions and challenges to financial viability. This strategic decision will result in the end of new episodes for several shows, including "Access Hollywood," "Access Live," "Karamo," and "The Steve Wilkos Show," and follows the previously announced conclusion of "The Kelly Clarkson Show."

Programs Affected and Production Status

Original production is concluding for multiple NBCUniversal first-run syndicated shows:

• "The Kelly Clarkson Show": This program was previously announced to conclude later this year after its seventh season.
• "The Steve Wilkos Show": Production for this show, which ran for 19 seasons, has concluded. New episodes are scheduled to air through the summer.
• "Karamo": Production for this show, which premiered in 2022, has concluded. New episodes are scheduled to air through the summer.
• "Access Hollywood" and "Access Live": These programs, which first aired in September 1996, will cease original production by the end of September. They are currently hosted by Mario Lopez, Kit Hoover, Scott Evans, and Zuri Hall.

"The Steve Wilkos Show" and "Karamo" were produced at NBCU's Stamford Studios in Stamford, Connecticut, a facility the company is expected to vacate.

Rationale for the Decision

NBCUniversal stated that current marketplace conditions no longer support the traditional first-run syndication model. This model historically involved producers selling television shows to individual stations on a market-by-market basis for daytime and the hour before prime time.

Key factors contributing to this strategic shift include:

• Declining Linear Viewership: A decrease in traditional television viewership, attributed to the rise of streaming services and audience fragmentation, has led to reduced audience levels.
• Increased Competition: Traditional talk shows have faced competition from alternative media platforms, particularly video podcasts, which deliver similar content at reduced production costs.
• Local Station Preferences: Local stations are increasingly prioritizing local and national news, community-focused content, or accepting syndicated programs on a barter basis instead of paying license fees.
• Financial Viability: The dedicated syndication studio model is no longer considered financially sustainable due to rising operational expenditures and declining demand for syndicated programming. Industry figures have noted that audience levels often no longer justify production costs.

Frances Berwick, Chairman of Bravo and Peacock Unscripted for NBCUniversal, indicated that these changes are intended to better align with local stations' current programming preferences.

Impact and Future Distribution

The exit from original first-run syndication production is expected to result in layoffs among the crews of the affected shows and within NBCU's first-run executive teams.

While NBCUniversal is ceasing new syndicated production, the company will maintain its involvement in the distribution of its existing program library and other off-network titles. This library includes shows such as "Dateline," "Law & Order," "Chicago P.D.," "Maury," "Jerry Springer," "Steve Wilkos," and "Karamo." The future of "Access Hollywood" and "Access Live" as digital brands remains under evaluation.

Other syndicated programs, such as CBS Media Ventures’ "Entertainment Tonight" and "Inside Edition," are continuing their production. Additionally, "Live With Kelly and Mark," "Drew Barrymore," and "Jennifer Hudson" have received renewals, while "Sherri Shepherd" is also scheduled to conclude this year.