Pittsburgh Post Gazette Syndicated 'Legend' turns back time Tuned In Friday, October 31, 2008

Back in the early 1990s, following the success of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," first-run syndication became a popular non-network platform for studio-produced product. (Syndicated shows are produced by a Hollywood studio and sold directly to stations -- or station groups -- rather than being sold to a network.) "ST:NG" begat "War of the Worlds," "Babylon 5," "Friday the 13th: The Series," "Hercules," "Xena: Warrior Princess," "Andromeda" and "Mutant X." As the 1990s faded, so did first-run syndicated dramas, both because of the rise of The WB and UPN on formerly independent stations and in part due to so many basic cable networks launching original scripted series.

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