NBCU Clears Off-Net ‘Baggage’ In 95% Of US

NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution has sold Game Show Network’s (GSN) relationship game show Baggage to TV stations for its initial run in off-network syndication debuting Sept. 17.

Baggage, hosted by Jerry Springer, has been sold to station groups representing more than 95% of the U.S. including Tribune, Sinclair, Sunbeam, Gannett, Hearst and Weigel.  The daily half-hour relationship game show will air on stations in the nation’s top markets including WPIX New York, WCIU Chicago, WPHL Philadelphia, WLVI Boston, WATL Atlanta, WKCF Orlando, WSTR Cincinnati, WNUV Baltimore and WTTE Columbus, Ohio.

“The concept that every dater has hidden baggage—small, medium and large—has struck a chord with GSN’s viewers,” said Amy Introcaso-Davis, EVP, programming and development. “Its pop cultural relevance has made Baggage a top performer, and we are excited to partner with NBCUniversal Domestic Television to bring this buzzy show to a new audience.”

During its test run in 10 markets, Baggage improved in all demos versus the prior sweep time period (February 2011 vs. November 2010) by an average of 26% in women 18-34, 18% in women 18-49, 21% in women 25-54, 39% in men 18-34 and by 31% in adults 18-34.

Additionally, NBCU said, Baggage was No. 1 in its time period with women 18-34 in Philadelphia and Cincinnati, while improving in key demos by double and triple figures in each market; including +158% in adults 18-49 in Tampa vs. its lead in (Seinfeld) and +240% in adults 18-49 in Milwaukee vs. November 2010 time period (Everybody Loves Raymond.)

Baggage is produced by a unit of Comcast Entertainment Studios, with Jay James and Tim Puntillo serving as executive producers.