Using the syndication model, a show would commonly sell to a broadcast group first, and use that announcement to rally other stations to pick up their show, eventually putting together enough of a collection of stations to make a go of it.
Are you talking about the first-run syndication model? That involves producing new shows with their associated costs. Used to be G-T could syndicate a show with just one sale to one station group. WOF and J! accomplish that very thing with just one sale to the ABC station group. Match Game PM was especially economical: six shows (one nighttime) with six panelists in one taping day. These all involve producing new shows.
The main expenses of BUZZR TV are AFTRA and DGA residuals, music rights and satellite uplink facilities. No production costs, no prize budget, no technical facilities, no production staff, no salary for the packager and his team of executives, etc.
