But eventually the networks will move aggressively into the syndication business and drive some of the shows out, industry analysts said.

I didn't understand the syndication business at all.

This does not explain why independent stations also oppose the move by the networks into the syndication business.

But in any case, he is now without question the king of the syndication business.

Those two hit series are distributed by the kingpin of the syndication business, King World.

NBC is seeking a much higher proportion of the advertising revenue from running the syndication business than other players in the market.

But that unit also includes Time Warner's television production and syndication business.

"The syndication business has become much more difficult," Ms. Walden said.

Their phenomenal success only brought more attention to the first-run syndication business, in which new shows are sold station-by-station.

The most important: Comedies drive the domestic syndication business.