He's Syndie's Prom King

摘要

If syndicated television shows could follow a model to guarantee success, that model would be Dr. Phil. At its launch Sept. 16, the show garnered the biggest ratings of any new syndicated show since Oprah herself hit the airwaves in 1986. That's why the NATPE convention this week in New Orleans is almost a coronation of the talk-show host. After several fallow years for syndication, his show's success gives hope to distributors and station execs alike that it's still possible to make some noise, and a lot of bucks, in the business. And it has been a huge moneymaker. Sources say King World, the distributor, will haul in around $52 million this year from the show―$1 million per week―to split with Paramount, which produces it, and Harpo Productions, which created it. Given the show's success, its license fees will easily be doubled in the next cycle, sources say. As of last week, King World said, Dr. Phil has been renewed in more than 60% of the country through 2006.