CTD’s ‘The Test’ Tops 80% Clearance

The Test from CBS Television Distribution is now cleared in 80% of the U.S. just one month after the syndicator first took the DNA- and lie detector-test results show out to stations, Joe DiSalvo, president of sales at CTD, announced this afternoon at the NATPE conference in Miami.

“That’s a reflection of the show and the genre,” says DiSalvo. “If this genre is working for you, then put this one on to freshen up your schedule. We’re talking to stations that have these shows. But we’re also talking to stations that see the ratings for other stations with this genre. This is a chance for them to get into this genre.”

The Test is being sold on a cash-plus-barter basis (10.5 local minutes, 4.5 national minutes). It’s a conflict-resolution show with a twist. It will be hosted by standup comedian Kirk Fox who will bring humor to the show.

The daytime talk show from Jay McGraw’s Stage 29 Productions is sold in 47 of the top 50 markets. The latest round of deals includes stations from the CBS Stations, Gannett, LIN Television, Londen Broadcasting, Local TV, Quincy, ComCorp and New Age Television groups.

The Test will launch with the Tribune Broadcasting Stations as the anchor group in major markets, and Tribune will be a partner in production of the show. In addition, the syndicated strip was picked up by 29 Sinclair stations.

Hosted by actor/comedian Kirk Fox (Parks and Recreation, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), The Test is a one-hour conflict resolution talk show that will use lie detector and DNA tests to settle relationship and paternity disputes among the guests. It will be produced by McGraw’s Stage 29 Productions, which also produces the daytime talk show The Doctors.