ITC X's out 'TIC TAC DOUGH' Al
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ing privileges and at least $3,000 to fly in sales people and other presentation materi- ITC X'S OUT 'TIC TAC DOUGH' al. "There was no business at INTV last year, unless you had kids animation to `Challengers' also pulled from WLS -TV Chicago sell," said the source. "I think most dis- tributors are saying, 'Lets cut our bottom line expenses to a minimum." ITC Domestic Television notified its woman also said she did not know of Certainly, Paramount Domestic Tele- 70 -plus client stations last week that any other Chicago stations that were be- vision's decision not to screen new pro- it is discontinuing distribution of Tic ing pitched to pick up the game show. grams came as the most publicized blow Tac Dough effective March 8, marking The wts -Tv loss comes on the heels to INTV's convention (BROADCASTING, the first of five struggling rookie game of speculation that WNBC -TV New York Sept. 3), but again it should be noted show strips to officially get the ax. will remove Challengers from its covet- that the studio's sole new product for fall Meanwhile, additional post-November ed 7:30 p.m. (ET) access slot [several 1991, The Maury Povich Show, is "a sweeps programing moves hit another of sources indicated WNBC-TV Program Di- whisker within 70% national coverage," those game shows, Buena Vista Televi- rector Judy Girard is being courted by according to Paramount President Lucie sion's The Challengers, which at the distributors who already have programs Salhany. Paramount, which last year beginning of the season had laid claim to in Siberian morning slots on the sta- was the focus of competing exhibitors' what may have indeed been the strongest tion-namely Orbis Communications ire for taking conventiongoers off -site lineup of early fringe and access station with Joker's Wild (3:30 a.m.) and King during screening hours to watch an Ar- clearances. World's Instant Recall (4 a.m.)]. senio Hall Show taping at its studio, will A spokeswoman for wLS-Tv Chicago Orbis, additionally, may also be still maintain a significant sales presence confirmed that the ABC O &O, as antici- pitching WNBC -TV on filling the access at INTV, and is said to be underwriting pated following the sweeps, pulled slot with The $100,000 Pyramid, its new a $35,000 opening day luncheon. BVT's Challengers from its 3 p.m. targeted January 1991 companion piece One other syndicator who held an off - (central time) slot and has replaced it to Joker' s Wild, but a New York station site screening, Buena Vista Television, with King World Productions' Inside source said that the NBC O &O is "ex- had been rumored not be returning to Edition, effective last Monday (Dec. 3). tremely reticent" about even consider- this year's convention, but has commit- While saying she was unaware of the ing another game show as a lead -in to its ted to three screening suites. -1s WLS -TV defection, a Buena Vista spokes- prime time. It's a fact. Three's Company' is one of only two For each new generation of kids, every episode sitcoms to remain in the top ten among syndicated is first run. sitcoms for 28 consecutive sweeps. For millions of adults, it's still their all -time favorite How does it do it? Simple. Every season, the program. Three's Company audience re- generates itself! And for stations across the country it's 222 half For millions and millions of teenagers, it's "this hours of pure, audience -grabbing laughter! season's" newest hit. .