Network TV has rigid prime-time slots and high Nielsen ratings thresholds—shows need massive weekly audiences or they're cancelled fast. Syndication removes that pressure: stations buy reruns cheaply and air them in off-peak hours where smaller, loyal audiences are enough to be profitable. Per Reddit, Charles in Charge and Punky Brewster flopped on network but thrived in syndication—the economics completely flipped. Star Trek is the canonical example: cancelled after 3 seasons, but the syndicated reruns built such a cult following they launched a franchise worth billions.

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