This upfront season, broadcast networks have renewed an impressive number of scripted shows – partially because of networks’ renewed willingness to be patient with new series, but partially because networks want to get to syndication this year more than ever before.

The last time TV has seen this kind of renewal rate was six years ago. ABC renewed seven new series for the coming year out of its 11 on the air, CBS renewed five of eight, Fox renewed three of its eight and The CW picked up a whopping five of six. NBC is the lone holdout, renewing only one of 10 new series from 2014, though a few of its miniseries are still up in the air.

This is a move toward networks and studios wanting to get that syndication order, according to CBS Television Studios President David Stapf. It’s also a strategy of setting up sister studios for success on the network, trying to guarantee control over the show’s future on both sides.

A good example of this is Fox’s Empire and Last Man on Earth, both from 20th TV and both renewed and looking good for the next few seasons on Fox. Similarly, ABC Studios has a renewed focus with nine series orders this year for ABC, only four going elsewhere.

According to Variety, syndication and sister studios are just part of the equation. A new or returning show also have to be “distinctly marketable” in order to stand out from the staggering amount of broadcast, cable and online choices viewers have – and that number is growing every day.

Read more at Variety.

Brief Take: Most of the Big Four networks have a lot to prepare for this coming fall, with several new half-four comedies that have the best chance of getting to season three or beyond for that syndication deal.

[Image courtesy of Fox]

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