ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Broadcast syndication

Okay kiddo, have you ever watched your favorite TV show and seen it on a different channel or at a different time? Well, that's because of something called broadcast syndication.

Basically, when a TV show is first made, it is usually shown on just one network (like ABC, NBC, or CBS). But, after a while, other TV networks or channels might want to show that same show too.

That's where syndication comes in. The people who make the TV show (like the producers and writers) can choose to sell the rights to show that show to other channels, instead of just keeping it on one channel. So, lots of different channels can start showing that same TV show.

These channels have to pay to show the TV show, and the money goes to the people who made the show. Sometimes, the people who made the show might also get more money if the show gets really popular and people start watching it more often.

And that's broadcast syndication! It lets lots of different channels show the same TV show, and the people who made the show can make more money from it.