It's a tough climate for TV stations, and the sales of syndicated shows have come to a halt, reports
Broadcasting & Cable. Stations want shows for less, given budget restraints--but syndicators
are leery of selling their fare at too-low prices. Both are waiting to see what 2010 will augur. The shows coming this fall were cleared before the market soured. They include Dr. Oz, Wendy Williams,
"Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" Syndicators may also sell off-net dramas to stations as afternoon strips, much as NBCU has done with "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Law & Order: Special
Victims Unit."