The Program Exchange was a syndicator of television programs. It was founded as DFS Program Exchange in 1978, which became elongated to the DFS-Dorland Program Exchange from 1986 to 1987. From 1986 to 2008, it was a division of

Saatchi & Saatchi Saatchi & Saatchi is a British multinational communications and advertising agency network with 114 offices in 76 countries and over 6,500 staff. It was founded in 1970 and is currently headquartered in London. The parent company of the agency gr ...

, an

advertising agency An advertising agency, often referred to as a creative agency or an ad agency, is a business dedicated to creating, planning, and handling advertising and sometimes other forms of promotion and marketing for its clients. An ad agency is generall ...

(which acquired

Dancer Fitzgerald Sample Dancer Fitzgerald Sample (DFS and later DFS-Dorland) was a Madison Avenue Madison Avenue is a north-south avenue in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, United States, that carries northbound one-way traffic. It runs from Madison Squa ...

, the original owners), while merging with Dorland Advertising in 1986, and would later be acquired by Publicis in 2000. In January 2008, Publicis transferred The Program Exchange from the Saatchi & Saatchi subsidiary to its ZenithOptimedia subsidiary, the logo was then changed to reflect this move. In 2016, the programexchange.com website was shut down; the shutdown coincided with

NBCUniversal NBCUniversal Media, LLC is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate corporation owned by Comcast and headquartered at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States. NBCUniversal is primaril ...

's purchase of one of its most prominent clients,

DreamWorks Classics Classic Media, LLC, doing business as DreamWorks Classics, is an American entertainment company owned by DreamWorks Animation, which is a subsidiary of Universal Pictures and a division of Comcast's NBCUniversal. It was founded as Classic Medi ...

. The Program Exchange was a "barter syndicator," distributing programming on behalf of the shows' producers, many of them having their own cash distribution services. Instead of paying a cash fee, television stations who ran those programs agreed to a

barter In trade, barter (derived from ''baretor'') is a system of exchange in which participants in a transaction directly exchange goods or services for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money. Economists dist ...

exchange (hence the syndicator name), wherein the station agreed to air a certain number of commercials for various

General Mills General Mills, Inc., is an American multinational manufacturer and marketer of branded processed consumer foods sold through retail stores. Founded on the banks of the Mississippi River at Saint Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, the company ori ...

products per program. This arrangement allowed for the programs to air on stations that may not have large budgets to acquire them. The Program Exchange typically distributed older programming that was no longer widely distributed in syndication, as well as programming designed to meet federal educational/information mandates. The Program Exchange continued to hold distribution rights to the

Jay Ward Productions Jay Ward Productions, Inc. (sometimes shortened to Ward Productions) is an American animation studio based in Costa Mesa, California. It was founded in 1948 by American animator Jay Ward. The Jay Ward Productions library and rights were previo ...

and

Total Television Total Television was an American animation studio founded in 1959 by Buck Biggers, Chester "Chet" Stover,p.478 Erickson,Hal ''Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 through 2003'' McFarland & Co., 2005 Joe Harris, and Trea ...

archives throughout the exchange's existence; both of those companies' programs were produced at the DFS-owned Gamma Productions studios in Mexico until that studio shut down in 1968. The Program Exchange handled distribution for all titles listed below. The dates listed are the dates that they were distributed, not the dates they originally aired.

History

From the company's beginnings as DFS Program Exchange, which was originally headquartered in Dallas, the company's initial product was to syndicate several shows that were abandoned by other syndicators, such as

Hanna-Barbera Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. ( ) was an American animation studio and production company which was active from 1957 to 2001. It was founded on July 7, 1957, by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera following the decision of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer t ...

and Gamma Productions archives, who had made them more successful, such as ''

Scooby-Doo ''Scooby-Doo'' is an American animated media franchise based on an animated television series launched in 1969 and continued through several derivative media. Writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears created the original series, ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are ...

'' and ''

The Jetsons ''The Jetsons'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. It originally aired in prime time from September 23, 1962, to March 17, 1963, on ABC, then later aired in reruns via syndication, with new episodes produced f ...

''. The company grew with ''Olympic Champions'', which starred Bruce Jenner, as its first ever live-action outing distributed by DFS themselves. In 1983, it purchased the exclusive syndication rights of ''

Bewitched ''Bewitched'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series that originally aired for eight seasons on ABC from September 17, 1964, to March 25, 1972. It is about a witch who marries an ordinary mortal man and vows to lead the life of a typi ...

'' from

Columbia Pictures Television Columbia Pictures Television, Inc. (abbreviated as CPT) was launched on May 6, 1974, by Columbia Pictures as an American television production and distribution studio. It is the second name of the Columbia Pictures television division Screen Gem ...

. It also acquired the rights from CPT, the exclusive syndication rights to two other

Screen Gems Screen Gems is an American brand name used by Sony Pictures' Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, a subsidiary of Japanese multinational conglomerate, Sony Group Corporation. It has served several different purposes for its parent ...

shows ''

I Dream of Jeannie ''I Dream of Jeannie'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series, created by Sidney Sheldon that starred Barbara Eden as a sultry, 2,000-year-old genie and Larry Hagman, as an astronaut with whom she falls in love and eventually marr ...

'' and ''

The Partridge Family ''The Partridge Family'' is an American musical sitcom starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy. Jones plays a widowed mother, and Cassidy plays the oldest of her five children, in a family who embarks on a music career. It ran from ...

''. These shows eventually grew into success that they wanted to came back to popularity. In 1985, DFS Program Exchange made its first bold move by syndicating their own straight barter strip '' Dennis the Menace'', as well as U.S. syndicated rights to '' Woody Woodpecker and Friends'', which came after the final MCA TV commitment expired in January 1988. In 1986, DFS was bought out by

, which was then merged with Dorland Advertising, another

subsidiary, and to reflect the organization, it was renamed to DFS-Dorland Program Exchange. In 1987, it was renamed shortly after to The Program Exchange. On March 14, 1988, it was moved to Hudson Street, New York. In 1990, Susan Radden was appointed vice president at the subsidiary. In 1993, the company made its major breakout hit when it picked up the off-net syndicated rights to the cartoon ''

Garfield and Friends ''Garfield and Friends'' is an American animated television series based on the comic strip ''Garfield'' by Jim Davis. The show aired on CBS as part of its Saturday morning children's lineup from September 17, 1988 to December 10, 1994. The s ...

'', which was announced on January 20, 1992, and be available on a barter basis. In 1997, The Program Exchange secured the syndication rights to the first 65 episodes of the original English dub of ''

Sailor Moon is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi. It was originally serialized in Kodansha's ''shōjo'' manga magazine '' Nakayoshi'' from 1991 to 1997; the 52 individual chapters were published in 18 volumes. The s ...

''. A year later, it helped DiC broadcast the remaining 17 episodes on Cartoon Network's programming block

Toonami Toonami ( ) is an American late night television programming block that primarily broadcasts Japanese animation and occasionally American action animation. It was created by Sean Akins and Jason DeMarco and produced by Williams Street, a d ...

Children's programs

*'' All-New Dennis the Menace'' (1993-2016) *''

Around the World in 80 Days ''Around the World in Eighty Days'' (french: link=no, Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours) is an adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, first published in French in 1872. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employ ...

'' (1979-1983) *'' Beakman's World'' (2008-2013) *''

The Berenstain Bears ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...

'' (1997-1999) *''

The Biskitts ''The Biskitts'' is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions from 1983 to 1984 and aired on CBS. The series lasted for only one season; only 13 episodes were produced. '' Shirt Tales'' replaced the show in i ...

'' (1989-1994) *''

Buford and the Galloping Ghost ''Buford and the Galloping Ghost'' is an American animated television series and a spin-off of '' Yogi's Space Race'' produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that was broadcast on NBC from September 9 to December 2, 1978. The half-hour series was ...

'' (1989-1994) *'' ''The Bullwinkle Show'', ''The Rocky Show'' and ''Rocky and His Friends'''' (1979-2016) *'' Dennis the Menace'' (1986-2016) *'' Devlin'' (1979-1988) *'' Dino Babies'' (1996-1999) *''Dive Olly Dive'' (2008-2015) *''

Dragon Ball Z ''Dragon Ball Z'' is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation. Part of the ''Dragon Ball'' media franchise, it is the sequel to the 1986 '' Dragon Ball'' anime series and adapts the latter 325 chapters of the original ...

'' (1999-2000) *'' Dudley Do Right and Friends'' (1979-2016) *''

The Flintstones ''The Flintstones'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera, Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series takes place in a romanticized Stone Age setting and follows the activities of the titular family, the Flintstones, and their nex ...

'' (1981-1997) *''

'' (1993-2008) *'' Go Go Gophers'' (1979-2016) *'' Goober and the Ghost Chasers'' (1989-1995) *'' The Harveytoons Show'' (2003-2005) *'' Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling'' *'' Inch High, Private Eye'' (1979-1993) *'' Inspector Gadget's Field Trip'' (2007-2011) *'' Jana of the Jungle'' (1989-1994) *'' Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks'' (2008-2014) *''

'' (1979-1985) *'' Jonny Quest'' (1979-1984) *'' King Leonardo and His Short Subjects'' (1979-2016) *''

Knights of the Zodiac , also known as ''Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac'' or simply ''Knights of the Zodiac'' (translated from the French title ''Les Chevaliers du Zodiaque''), is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada. It w ...

'' (2003-2009) *'' Korg: 70,000 B.C.'' (1979-1984) *''

The Mr. Magoo Show ''Mister Magoo'' is an American animated television series which was produced from November 7, 1960 to February 2, 1962. A single episode included five four-minute shorts and could either be aired together with bumpers as a single half-hour show, ...

'' (2004-2005) *'' Picture Pages'' (1984-1987) *'' The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest'' (1997-2001) *'' The Roman Holidays'' (1979-1988) *''

'' (1997-2004) ( DIC/Optimum Productions dub) *''

Sealab 2020 ''Sealab 2020'' is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and broadcast on NBC from September 9 to December 2, 1972, on Saturday mornings. The series was created by Alex Toth, who also created such other Han ...

'' (1985-1986) *''

'' (1979-1993) *'' Space Kidettes and

Young Samson ''Samson & Goliath'', also known as ''Young Samson'', is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions for NBC, where it debuted on September 9, 1967.McNeil, Alex (1996). ''Total Television'' (4th ed.), pg. 721. N ...

'' (1979-2016) *'' Sport Billy'' (1982-1985) *'' The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'' (1998-2000) *'' Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales'' (1979-2016) *''

Uncle Waldo's Cartoon Show ''Hoppity Hooper'' is an American animated television series produced by Jay Ward, and sponsored by General Mills, originally broadcast on ABC from September 12, 1964 until 1967. The series was produced in Hollywood by Jay Ward and Bill Scot ...

'' (1979-2016) *'' The Underdog Show'' (1979-2016) *''

Valley of the Dinosaurs ''Valley of the Dinosaurs'' is an American animated television series produced by the Australian studios of Hanna-Barbera Productions and broadcast on CBS from September 7 to December 21, 1974, and in syndication from 1977 to 1983. The series, a ...

'' (1982-1992) *'' The Wacky World of Tex Avery'' (1997-2007) *'' Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch'' (1979-1993) *'' Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?'' (2001-2016) *'' Where's Huddles'' (1989-1995) *'' The Woody Woodpecker Show'' (1987-1998) *''Zoo Clues'' (2015-2016)

Sitcoms

*''

227 Year 227 ( CCXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Senecio and Fulvius (or, less frequently, year 980 ''Ab urbe condi ...

'' (2005-2012) *''

3rd Rock from the Sun ''3rd Rock from the Sun'' is an American television sitcom created by Bonnie and Terry Turner, which originally aired from January 9, 1996, to May 22, 2001, on NBC. The show is about four Extraterrestrial life, extraterrestrials who are on an e ...

'' (2008-2016) *'' The Addams Family'' (2004-2016) *''

The Abbott and Costello Show ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in En ...

'' (1987-2006) *''

Amen Amen ( he, אָמֵן, ; grc, ἀμήν, ; syc, ܐܡܝܢ, ; ar, آمين, ) is an Abrahamic declaration of affirmation which is first found in the Hebrew Bible, and subsequently found in the New Testament. It is used in Jewish, Christian, and ...

'' (1995-2002) *'' Benson'' (2005-2010) *''

'' (1983-1997, 2010–2014) *'' Bosom Buddies'' *''

The Brady Bunch ''The Brady Bunch'' is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz that aired from September 26, 1969, to March 8, 1974, on ABC. The series revolves around a large blended family with six children. The show aired for five seasons and, af ...

'' (1990-1998) *'' Charles in Charge'' (1998-2008) *''

Coach Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process ** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers Transportation * Co ...

'' (1995-2016) *''

The Cosby Show ''The Cosby Show'' is an American television sitcom co-created by and starring Bill Cosby, which aired Thursday nights for eight seasons on NBC between September 20, 1984, until April 30, 1992. The show focuses on an upper middle-class Africa ...

'' (2012-2015) *'' Dear John'' (1998-2004) *'' A Different World'' (2015-2016) *''

Fantasy Island ''Fantasy Island'' is an American fantasy drama television series created by Gene Levitt. It aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984. The series starred Ricardo Montalbán as the mysterious Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant, Tattoo ...

'' (2003-2006) *'' Gimme a Break!'' (2006-2016) *''

'' *''

The Jeffersons ''The Jeffersons'' is an American sitcom television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, to July 2, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. ''The Jeffersons'' is one of the longest-running sitcoms in history, ...

'' (2015-2016) *'' Just Shoot Me!'' (2007-2012) *'' Laverne and Shirley'' (1990-1998) *'' Leave It to Beaver'' (1998-2001) *''

Mork & Mindy ''Mork & Mindy'' is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from September 14, 1978, to May 27, 1982. A spin-off after a highly successful episode of ''Happy Days'', "My Favorite Orkan", it starred Robin Williams as Mork, an extraterrestr ...

'' (1990-1992) *'' The Munsters'' (2000-2016) *'' NewsRadio'' (2006-2015) *'' The Odd Couple'' (1990-2007) *''

'' *''

Taxi A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choic ...

'' (2001-2007) *'' Three's Company'' *''

Too Close for Comfort ''Too Close for Comfort'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on ABC from November 11, 1980, to May 5, 1983, and in first-run syndication from April 7, 1984, to February 7, 1987. Its name was changed to ''The Ted Knight Show'' w ...

'' *'' Webster'' (1999-2004) *'' What's Happening!!'' (2005-2010) *'' What's Happening Now!!'' (2005-2010) *'' Who's the Boss?'' (2003-2016)

Dramas

*''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was r ...

'' (1997-2002) *'' Ironside'' *''

Kojak ''Kojak'' is an American Action film, action Crime film, crime Drama (film and television), drama television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theodopolis "Theo" Kojak. Tak ...

Reality/Lifestyles

*''B. Smith: Simply Style'' (2008-2016) *'' Funniest Pets & People'' (2008-2016) *''That Teen Show'' (1986-1987) *''The Greats of the Game'' (1985-1989) *''Sale of the Century'' (1973-1974) *''Olympic Champions'' (1979-1980)

Short-form

*''B. Smith Cooking Vignettes'' *'' Cartoon Network Short Cartoons'' *''Dr. Bob Arnot: Eat Better America'' *''Healthy Break by Jake'' *''Medical Minute'' *''Nutrition Minute''

References

External links

Archive of The Program Exchange's website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Program Exchange, The Television syndication distributors Defunct mass media companies of the United States Defunct companies based in New York City Entertainment companies based in New York City American companies established in 1973 Mass media companies established in 1973 Mass media companies disestablished in 2016 General Mills Jay Ward Productions Total Television Publicis Groupe