Currently in its 13th season, “Family Feud” will be on US television through at least a 16th season. Distributor Debmar-Mercury has renewed the Feud, produced by Fremantle Media North America, through 2015 in more than 75% of the US.
The syndication deals include stations belonging to the Fox, Sinclair, CBS, Tribune, Cox, Capital, NBC, Sunbeam, Newport and Belo broadcast groups, according to Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, co-presidents of Debmar-Mercury.
Family Feud began on ABC in 1976 and also aired on CBS at one point, as well as early syndication. The current incarnation began in syndication in 1999.
Debmar-Mercury says the renewal follows ratings increases of 40% in the key demo of women 25-54 and household gains of 35% versus the same time frame in 2010.
All of this season’s gains come on top of the already substantial ratings surge posted last year when comedian Steve Harvey joined Family Feud as host. That prompted stations in more than half of the country to upgrade the series into 5-8 p.m. time periods normally reserved for comedies. Indeed, comedy clips from the show are proving to be top performers on YouTube.
“Stations have wasted no time in securing this franchise well into the future with these long-term renewals, extending Family Feud through 2015 and making it a viable alternative to off-network sitcoms for many stations seeking strong early fringe and access programming,” said Bernstein.
Marcus commented, “Fremantle has taken extraordinary steps to turn Family Feud into a ratings phenomenon over the past two seasons, recruiting an outstanding host and creative team whose incredible work have made this show a must-have for station groups. We couldn’t be more pleased by the enthusiastic response it has received in the marketplace.”
Starting next season, new episodes of Family Feud will be shot in HD.
