If slow and steady wins the race, then Twentieth Television’s strategy has put the distributor in front in the syndication marathon.
The studio’s slow rollout technique during the past year led to the successful launch of “Texas Justice,” currently the top-ranked first-run rookie among strips. Now, Twentieth Television has added 17 metered markets to its regional rollout of “Good Day Live,” and more shows will likely be on the way this summer.
Stations slated to air “Good Day” in June include KPIX-TV, San Francisco (CBS); KMAX-TV, Sacramento, Calif. (UPN); WCCB-TV, Charlotte, N.C. (Fox); and WRAZ-TV, Raleigh, N.C. (Fox). In San Francisco, the fifth-largest metered market, KPIX will air the quirky strip at 3 p.m. KMAX has slated the show at 10 a.m. following “Good Day Sacramento,” and WCCB will air the show at noon.
“The interest has been remarkable,” said Paul Franklin, executive VP and general sales manager of Twentieth Television. “This show has undoubtedly shaken up the daytime landscape. It’s fresh, lively and entertaining. There is absolutely nothing else like it for daytime or early fringe.”
The series currently airs in 15 markets. Among the 12 Fox-owned stations airing the show are those in Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, Atlanta and Detroit. Another 13 Fox O&Os are scheduled to begin airing the show June 3, including those in top markets New York and Chicago, as well as those in Philadelphia, Dallas, Minneapolis and Tampa, Fla.
Although company executives are mum about development for a summer run, insiders are saying that the distributor is mulling several projects and is highest on a talk show and game show for a tryout on several stations. “Good Day Live” co-host Steve Edwards has been mentioned as a candidate to host one of the projects. Fellow co-host Jillian Barberie has been expected for some time to land her own talk show in the near future, according to sources.