Tribune Entertainment Ends Distribution Operation

By Chris Pursell

(Corrected at 4:10 p.m. to reflect that distribution operation has closed down.)

Tribune Entertainment, once a heavyweight distributor of syndicated programming, shut down its distribution arm, cutting three jobs in its Chicago office.

Tribune Entertainment said it would continue to service clients in advertising sales. That leaves 25 employees at the company, including sales, graphics, finance, research and other positions.

The distribution branch represents series such as "American Idol Rewind," the DreamWorks movie package, and "Soul Train." In addition, they distribute programs for companies such as Telco, which has weekly series "Animal Rescue," "Missing" and the weekly half-hour "Dog Tales," a deal that was completed only months ago.

The company previously distributed series that included "Beyond with James Von Praagh," "To Tell the Truth," "The Dennis Miller Show" and "Bzzz!"

Tribune has made a steady profit representing companies' programs with its ad sales force over the years with product such as "South Park." The company currently employees 10 people in that division.

As news of the layoffs circulated through the industry, rival distribution companies were discussing the potential of picking up some of Tribune's old series, including "American Idol Rewind," to syndicate in future seasons.