The distributors of Degrassi: The Next Generation have announced a deal that will see the hit half-hour series syndicated — five days a week — in 60 per cent of the top U.S. television markets.
The deal includes airings of the popular Canadian teen series in 5 of the Top 5 markets, 8 of the Top 10, with 15 of the Top 20 and 18 of the Top 25 for its launch as a syndication strip for Fall 2007.
The sixth and most current season of Degrassi: The Next Generation is currently airing on CTV, where it recently drew 1 million viewers.
The show is a successor to the earlier series beginning in the 1980s: Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High. All were produced in Canada but also aired in the U.S. on PBS, where especially Degrassi Junior High becamea cult hit.
The announcement, from Thunderbird Films and its U.S. distribution partners, Program Partners, follows closely on the heels of the two companies’ U.S. launches of Canadian dramas Da Vinci’s Inquest, Cold Squad and Stone Undercover into weekly syndication.
Produced by Epitome Pictures in Toronto, the series is based on a 25-year legacy that began with executive producer and co-creator Linda Schuyler. The current series follows a new generation of student at the Degrassi Community School.
The series is also featured in books, broadband and music CDs. Highlights include the recently released Degrassi: Extra Credit, a multiple-volume series of graphic novels that expand on Degrassi plotlines, exclusive online content consisting of scripted webisodes, 19 behind-the-scenes documentaries and two animated shorts (a.k.a. “Degrassi Mangasodes”) along with a compilation CD “Songs From Degrassi”, “Degrassi: Generations” (a slick book filled with facts and photos) and promotional tours across Canada and U.S. cities that are flocked to by thousands.
December 12, 2006 in news.