Columbia TriStar Television Distribution may have pulled off a syndication first in San Diego.
Sources say the distributor has licensed its upcoming game Pyramid on two separate stations in the market for concurrent runs, including a primetime spot on KUSI-TV San Diego. At the same time, CTTD execs have struck a deal with NBC O/O KNSD-TV San Diego for daytime and early fringe runs.
Both stations have agreed to share the series each day when it debuts in fall 2002. KUSI-TV is an independent station owned by McKinnon Broadcast Co. The stations will be running different episodes each day.
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Sources say CTTD may be looking to make similar deals in other markets. CTTD has also struck a deal with Gannett-owned KPNX-TV Phoenix for Pyramid. The NBC affiliate in Phoenix has signed on for a reported double-run of Pyramid in early fringe time periods.
Earlier this week, CTTD made its first official deal for the Donny Osmond-hosted game show with KRON-TV San Francisco. CTTD execs had no comment.
- Joe Schlosser
