The Real Housewives Set for Syndication

NEW YORK: NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution has sold The Real Housewives franchise to stations from NBC Local Media, Hearst Television and other broadcast groups for the series to air in syndication Monday through Friday.

The hit Bravo series has already been sold in more than 60 percent of the U.S. on local broadcast stations owned by NBC Local Media and Hearst Television, as well as other station groups such as CBS, LIN, Local TV, Media General, Post-Newsweek, Raycom and Sinclair. The show, which looks into the lives of real women, will launch on local stations in fall 2010.

From within the franchise, The Real Housewives of Orange County has grown 189 percent in women 18 to 49 since its spring 2006 debut. The Real Housewives of Atlanta was number one this summer in its Thursday 10 p.m. time slot against all cable programs in adults and women 18 to 49. The Atlanta iteration is currently averaging 1.56 million women 18 to 49.

"The Real Housewives franchise has all of the characteristics of a daytime hit—strong characters, terrific storytelling and escapism," said Barry Wallach, the president of NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. "The series has truly become a national phenomenon, gaining in popularity each season and scoring huge local ratings on Bravo."

"The Real Housewives is a very successful franchise, especially popular with women," added NBC Local Media’s president, John Wallace. "And by coming to broadcast television stations in daytime, this series will appeal to a new audience that is looking for something that stands out from the pack."