Local TV stations broadcast shows from three different categories: local origination, syndication, and network affiliate content. Most people recognize the local origination stuff when they see it. It consists mainly local news, weather, and sports, along local talk shows and the occasional community-oriented special program.

However, some people have trouble distinguishing between syndicated shows and those provided the by the network that the station is affiliated with, like ABC, CBS, NBC, or Fox. The confusion is understandable because both types of shows are produced by the major studios and television networks. In addition, they both target national audiences. Adding further to the confusion is the fact that many shows originally run as network content and then their reruns air in syndication. Therefore, a show can start out in one category then move to the other. So how can you recognize the difference?

First, a show that is in syndication might air on different network affiliates, depending the market. For example, Wheel of Fortune might air on the ABC affiliate in New York, the CBS affiliate in Chicago, and the Fox affiliate in Los Angeles. Conversely, a show provided as network content would air on stations affiliated with same network in every market. For example, American Idol airs on the Fox affiliate in every market.

Second, a show that is in syndication might air at a different times in different markets, even within the same time zone. For example, Wheel of Fortune might air at 5:00 in Boston, 6:00 in New York, 7:00 in Philadelphia, and 7:30 in Washington, DC., even though all four of those cities are in the same time zone. A show provided as network content, on the other hand, will generally air at the same time within a given time zone. For example, American Idol might air at 8:00 every Tuesday night in all markets in the Eastern time zone.

Now, an example of a show that moved from network content to syndication would be Friends. This show started out in the mid-1990's as an NBC affiliate show. It aired only on NBC affiliate stations on Thursday nights. It would air at the same time within given time zones. However, once the show completed its run on NBC, it went into syndication. Now its reruns air mainly on weekdays on different network affiliates and at different times, depending on the market.