Lexington Broadcast Services Company

Lexington Broadcast Services Company was an American television production and syndication business established on November 15, 1976, by advertising executive Henry Siegel. It began as a unit of Grey Advertising, where its purpose was to develop television programming that could be marketed to stations through syndication. The company operated at the intersection of program production, distribution, and television advertising, with a particular emphasis on barter syndication. In a barter arrangement, a distributor supplied programming to local stations while retaining portions of the commercial inventory for national advertising sales. This model helped LBS become one of the most prominent companies in the segment during the late 1970s and 1980s. LBS's early output included Not for Women Only, produced by WNBC-TV in New York, and Hot Fudge, produced by WXYZ-TV in Detroit. Its first major syndicated success was Sha Na Na, launched in 1977. The program demonstrated the company's ability to package entertainment for broad station distribution while financing the distribution through advertising rather than relying solely on direct licensing fees. The business subsequently expanded into off-network television distribution, sponsored specials, children's programming, home video, and the representation of third-party film and television libraries. A significant development came in December 1982, when LBS entered an arrangement with Columbia Pictures Television to distribute the drama series Family in off-network syndication beginning in 1983. The program's performance helped lead to the creation of Colex Enterprises, a joint venture associated with LBS and Columbia that handled a substantial catalog of older television properties. Through this relationship, LBS became connected with series and films including The Donna Reed Show, Father Knows Best, Gidget, Hazel, The Monkees, Route 66, and other Columbia-related or library titles. LBS also distributed selected Columbia and Screen Gems material and handled certain films directed by Elia Kazan, as well as selected Bob Hope-produced films whose rights had reverted to Hope. The company broadened its children's and family entertainment activities during the middle of the decade. In 1985, LBS joined DIC Enterprises and Karl/Lorimar Home Video in the Kideo Video home-video venture. In 1986, LBS worked with DIC Entertainment and Mattel on the Kideo TV syndicated programming block and participated in the Family Theater package of animated specials. It also worked with DIC and Columbia on plans connected with a live-action Dennis the Menace feature. Kideo Video did not perform as initially expected, and the partners later became involved in litigation over their respective home-video rights and business arrangements. Those disputes were settled out of court in June 1987, allowing the companies to pursue certain home-video agreements independently. LBS Communications, the name used by the company in its later period, continued to develop its distribution operation and to market programming from outside producers. Its activities included advertising sales for syndicated programs such as Hollywood Squares, Fame, The New Liar's Club, This Is Your Life, and Too Close for Comfort. It was also associated with the 1991 syndicated relaunch of Baywatch. However, the company's strategic position weakened after ownership and management changes, the ending or alteration of important partnerships, and pressure on its distribution business. A management buyout from Grey Advertising involving Marvin Davis changed the company's ownership context, while proposed relationships involving Paramount Domestic Television and Coca-Cola Telecommunications did not produce the expected alternatives. After losing money around the time its Columbia partnership ended, LBS filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 1991. During the resulting restructuring, approximately 80% to 85% of its assets were sold to All American Television, a distribution partner associated with the Scotti Brothers. The sale effectively ended LBS's independent operating role. Its historical importance lies in its development of barter syndication, its distribution of major television libraries, and its participation in the expansion of syndicated programming across entertainment, children's television, advertising-supported formats, and home video.

Lexington Broadcast Services Company was founded on November 15, 1976, by Henry Siegel as a Grey Advertising unit. Grey had created the business to develop television products suitable for syndication, and Siegel moved from Grey's presidency to lead the new operation. Early programming included Not for Women Only and Hot Fudge. The company's defining commercial innovation was barter syndication, through which it distributed programs to local stations while selling part of the advertising inventory. Sha Na Na became its first major breakthrough in 1977 and helped establish LBS as a leading barter syndicator. The company expanded through partnerships and library distribution. In December 1982, it partnered with Columbia Pictures Television to distribute Family in off-network syndication from September 1983. The performance of Family contributed to the creation of Colex Enterprises, a joint venture that distributed a broad group of television properties connected with Columbia and related libraries. Associated titles included The Donna Reed Show, Father Knows Best, Gidget, Hazel, The Monkees, Route 66, and other catalog programs. LBS also handled selected films directed by Elia Kazan and certain Bob Hope-produced films whose rights had reverted to Hope. During the mid-1980s, LBS pursued children's programming and home video. It worked with DIC Entertainment and Mattel on Kideo TV and with DIC on the Family Theater package of animated specials. In 1985, LBS, DIC Enterprises, and Karl/Lorimar Home Video created Kideo Video to distribute children's titles. The initial videocassette business underperformed, and the venture became the subject of cross-complaints between LBS and DIC. Their dispute was settled amicably out of court in June 1987, with the settlement permitting the parties to enter certain separate home-video arrangements. The dispute also raised questions about a joint account and alleged financial wrongdoing; the available account does not establish a full subsequent legal outcome. By the late 1980s, LBS Communications was attempting to strengthen its distribution arm and represent productions from outside companies. Paul Siegel was identified as president of the LBS Entertainment division. The company was involved in advertising sales for syndicated programs including Hollywood Squares, Fame, The New Liar's Club, This Is Your Life, and Too Close for Comfort. It also marketed television specials, including a planned Titanic program for Westgate Entertainment, and later became associated with the 1991 syndicated relaunch of Baywatch. The company faced increasing pressure after its relationship with Columbia changed or ended. A management buyout from Grey Advertising involving Marvin Davis altered the ownership structure, while contemplated relationships with Paramount Domestic Television and Coca-Cola Telecommunications did not provide the expected strategic support. LBS began losing money and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 1991. During the bankruptcy process, it sold roughly 80% to 85% of its assets to All American Television, a distributor linked to the Scotti Brothers. That transaction ended LBS's independent corporate life. Its legacy is primarily associated with the growth of barter syndication, the circulation of television libraries, and the packaging of advertising-supported programming for local stations.

• 1991

  Chapter 11 bankruptcy and asset sale

  [1]Lexington Broadcast Services Companyen.wikipedia.org

  LBS filed for Chapter 11 protection and sold approximately 80% to 85% of its assets to All American Television.

• 1987

  Kideo litigation settled

  [1]Lexington Broadcast Services Companyen.wikipedia.org

  LBS and DIC settled their Kideo Video-related lawsuits out of court and received greater freedom to make independent home-video arrangements.

• 1986

  Kideo TV and Family Theater projects expand children's output

  [1]Lexington Broadcast Services Companyen.wikipedia.org

  LBS worked with DIC and Mattel on Kideo TV and participated in a package of animated Family Theater specials.

• 1985

  Kideo Video venture established

  [1]Lexington Broadcast Services Companyen.wikipedia.org

  LBS joined DIC Enterprises and Karl/Lorimar Home Video in a home-video distribution venture for children's programming.

• 1982

  Partnership formed to distribute Family

  [1]Lexington Broadcast Services Companyen.wikipedia.org

  LBS partnered with Columbia Pictures Television to distribute Family in off-network syndication beginning in 1983.

• 1977

  Sha Na Na becomes an early syndicated breakthrough

  [1]Lexington Broadcast Services Companyen.wikipedia.org

  LBS launched Sha Na Na in barter syndication, strengthening its profile in advertising-supported television distribution.

• 1976

  Company founded as a Grey Advertising unit

  [1]Lexington Broadcast Services Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Henry Siegel founded Lexington Broadcast Services Company on November 15 as a Grey Advertising operation focused on developing and syndicating television programming.

A television syndication and advertising-sales company built around barter distribution, library licensing, and packaging programming for local stations.

• Syndicated television series · 1977

  Sha Na Na

  A music and variety program that became LBS's first major syndicated success after its 1977 launch. Its barter-based distribution model helped demonstrate the company's ability to combine national advertising sales with broad local-station carriage.

• Off-network television syndication · 1983

  Family

  An ABC drama distributed by LBS under license from Columbia Pictures Television beginning in the 1983 off-network syndication cycle. Its successful distribution relationship helped support the later Colex Enterprises venture.

• Children's syndicated programming block · 1986

  Kideo TV

  A children's television block developed by LBS with DIC Entertainment and Mattel. It formed part of LBS's mid-1980s effort to expand beyond general syndicated programming into family and animated content.

• Home-video distribution · 1985

  Kideo Video

  A home-video venture created by LBS, DIC Enterprises, and Karl/Lorimar Home Video to distribute children's titles. Its initial videocassette performance was weaker than expected, and its partners later settled litigation concerning their rights and business arrangements.

• Television library syndication · 1983

  Colex Enterprises library

  A joint-venture distribution catalog associated with LBS and Columbia Pictures Television. The library included selected Columbia and Screen Gems properties such as The Donna Reed Show, Father Knows Best, Gidget, Hazel, The Monkees, Route 66, and other older series and specials.

• Syndicated television series · 1991

  Baywatch syndicated relaunch

  LBS was associated with the 1991 syndicated relaunch of Baywatch during its final operating period, when the company was seeking to expand its distribution portfolio and represent programming from outside producers.

• 1987

  Kideo Video litigation and joint-account allegations

  The Kideo Video partners brought cross-complaints concerning their home-video venture. The dispute also raised allegations involving a jointly held account and alleged transactions connected with the Cayman Islands. The parties settled the litigation out of court, while the available reference does not provide a complete account of any separate investigation or final legal findings.

  Source

Read more

• 1987Titanic television special package

  United States

  On behalf of Westgate Entertainment, LBS Communications marketed a two-hour Titanic special as part of a proposed four-special barter package for an ad hoc network of stations.

  Outcome. The reference describes the planned distribution but does not document the program's ratings or commercial result.

  Source
• 1977Sha Na Na barter syndication launch

  United States

  LBS used its barter-syndication model to distribute Sha Na Na to local television stations while supporting the program through national advertising sales.

  Outcome. The program became an early breakout success and helped define LBS's market position.

  Source

• 1991

  Seek Chapter 11 protection and sell operating assetsOther

  Background

  LBS was losing money after important partnerships weakened and alternative distribution relationships failed to materialize.

  Action taken

  The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and sold approximately 80% to 85% of its assets to All American Television.

  Aftermath

  The asset sale effectively ended LBS's independent business.

  Share of assets sold. Approximately 80% to 85% of assets sold (1991 bankruptcy proceedings)

  Source

• 1985

  Move into children's home videoStrategy

  Background

  LBS was expanding its children's programming activities and sought a direct route into the videocassette market.

  Action taken

  It formed Kideo Video with DIC Enterprises and Karl/Lorimar Home Video.

  Aftermath

  The initial videocassette results disappointed expectations, and the partners later settled litigation over their rights and arrangements.

  Source

• 1982

  Enter a distribution partnership with Columbia Pictures TelevisionStrategy

  Background

  LBS sought to expand its off-network syndication portfolio beyond internally developed programming.

  Action taken

  It agreed to distribute Family under license from Columbia Pictures Television for the 1983 syndication cycle.

  Aftermath

  The relationship helped lead to the formation of Colex Enterprises and broadened LBS's access to television library content.

  Source

1. 1Lexington Broadcast Services Companyen.wikipedia.org