<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (May 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article possibly contains original research . Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations . Statements consisting only of original research should be removed . (May 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In the U.S. television industry, 100 episodes is the traditional threshold for a television series to become viable for syndication . One hundred episodes are advantageous for stripped syndication because it allows for 20 weeks of weekday reruns (depending on the number of episodes produced once the program debuts in syndication) without repeating an episode, and such shows can be sold for higher per episode pricing . </P> <P> It is unclear when conventional wisdom came to decide that 100 episodes was the ideal . One of the first series made specifically for syndication, the 1953 - 55 sitcom Life with Elizabeth, purposely ended its run after only 65 episodes, concerned that producing more would saturate the market and reduce the syndication package's value . In recent years, the minimum number of episodes for off - network, stripped syndication has been set at 88 (typically four seasons of 22 episodes), although some programs have been relatively successful in syndication with fewer episodes . </P>

Most television shows that reach 50 episodes minimum go into syndication and go into re-runs