Broadcasting syndication

is leasing the exclusive right to broadcast television programs and radio programs by multiple television stations and radio stations, without going through a broadcast network.

It is common in the United States where broadcast programming is scheduled by television networks with local independent affiliates.

Syndication is less of a practice in the rest of the world, as most countries have centralized networks or television stations without local affiliates. Shows can be syndicated internationally, although this is less common.

The three main types of syndication are first-run syndication, off-network syndication (colloquially called a "rerun"), and public broadcasting syndication.

The first-run syndication is programming broadcast for the first time as a syndicated show and is made specifically to sell directly into syndication.

The off-network syndication, is the licensing of a program that was originally run on network TV or in some cases, first-run syndication.

Public broadcasting syndication more closely resembles the news agency model, where nominally competing networks share resources and rebroadcast each other's programs.