New Program Group
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The New Program Group (NPG) refers to a joint-venture consortium formed in August 1984 involving the Gannett, Hearst, Metromedia,[1] Storer and Taft television station[2] groups. The reasoning behind of the formation occurred when broadcasting companies Taft, Gannett, Hearst, and Storer, desiring to beat the rates of network production (by the early 1980s, an average network sitcom cost roughly $600,000 per episode[3]) and exercise more creative program control, joined forces with Metromedia Productions to produce and distribute new first-run syndicated TV programs. The first program from NPG was Small Wonder,[4][5][6][7][8] which debuted on 7 September 1985.
References[edit]
- ^ "Syndication Venture Awaits word on Sale of Metromedia". Sun Sentinel. 20 May 1985. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ Stevenson, Richard W. (2 February 1986). "FRESH FARE PUTS A NEW FACE ON INDEPENDENT STATIONS". New York Times. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ Gendel, Morgan (4 March 1985). "Tv Syndicators' Brave New World". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ "Series Background". Small Wonder Home Page. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ McGuire, Carolyn (7 September 1985). "Tv Highlights: 'Small Wonder' She's Perfect". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ "Original Clearance of "Small Wonder"". RadioDiscussions.com Discussion Boards " Classic TV. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ "Stations' Appetite For New Shows To Blame For Tired Small Wonder'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 6 September 1985. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ "Register". Aiken Standard. 28 September 1984. Retrieved 4 April 2013.