• by Wayne Friedman , December 5, 2013

With many TV network and cable shows moving into a transitional winter period, given reruns, preemptions and holiday specials, many syndicated shows began to pick up steam in the final days of November.

The three top-rated syndicated shows -- all from CBS Television Distribution -- gained over their season-to-date averages. “Wheel of Fortune” pulled in a Nielsen live-plus-same-day 11.9 million viewers for the week ending November 24; “Jeopardy” was at 10.5 million viewers; and “Judge Judy” was at 10.4 million.

Those three shows' season-to-date averages now stand at 10.7 million viewers for “Wheel,” 9.7 million for “Judy,” and 9.4 million for “Jeopardy.”

Warner Bros.' Brand Networks “Big Bang Theory” pulled in 9.3 million -- in fourth place overall for its Monday to Friday run. For the season-to-date numbers, “Bang” is at 9.1 million, maintaining its No. 1 position among all off-network comedies. Second place among comedies goes to “Modern Family,” with 7.3 million viewers and now averaging 6.6 million since the start of the season in September.

“Dr. Phil,” from CBS Television Distribution, is still at the top for all syndie talk shows. In the most recent week, it pulled in 4.5 million viewers, now with a season average of 4.0 million. Warner Bros. “Ellen DeGeneres” is next among the talkers, taking in 4.1 million viewers and now with 3.6 million viewers overall.

Among syndication news shows CBS’ “Entertainment Tonight” is at the top of the charts: 5.6 million viewers for the most recent week and 5.3 million season-to-date average viewers. Next best among syndie news shows is CBS’ “Inside Edition” -- with 4.3 million for the most recent week in November and 4.1 million for the season so far.

Generally, the majority of syndication show ratings come from airing on TV shows. But 15% of syndication show ratings can come from cable network viewing as well, according to media executives .