Syndication Update

Here's a look at some of the new syndicated programs and how they are faring thus far, based on info culled from Broadcasting & Cable and TV Week:

Legend of the Seeker. Disney-ABC's first syndicated scripted hour in a decade has made a strong impression in the ratings, with a 2.9 Nielsen household rating and 4.2 million viewers for its premiere on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 , up 53 percent from the last syndicated first-run hour premiere, She Spies in 2002.

The Bonnie Hunt Show. Hometown girl Bonnie Hunt is struggling with an 0.8 household rating, but here in Chicago on NBC-owned WMAQ-TV at 2 p.m., the talk show is showing ratings growth - nearly double from what Merv Griffin's Crosswords earned last year.

Deal or No Deal. While the network version of the game show hit has seen a downturn in the ratings, the newly-launched syndicated version is thriving - including hitting a high of 1.8 household for the week ending Nov. 9. and earning a Gross Average Audience of 2.1.

The Doctors. Another show growing in the ratings. The program hit an average overnight metered-market household rating of 2.1 on Monday. The CBS Television Distribution program is growing in New York, where WCBS-TV has already jumped to second place at 9 a.m. in households, only behind WABC-TV's Live With Regis & Kelly.

Judge Karen. The latest entrant in the courtroom race from Sony Pictures Television averaged a 1.4 GAA rating, thanks to strong performances from WCIU-TV here in Chicago and CBS affilaite WIAT-TV in Birmingham, which airs the program in early fringe.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne. This off-TBS sitcom from Debmar-Mercury is surpringly doing well, averaging a 2.1 national rating, thanks to strong performances in large markets such as New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and of course TBS.

Trouble Ahead. No, it' not the name of a new syndicated strip, but you can use the title for Program Partners' Family Court with Judge Penny and Debmar's game show Trivial Pursuit: America Plays. Both are under a one rating and not showing any growth, though Family Court has added a few more metered markets in recent weeks.