How Would Syndication Have Effected MLP?

[Denim&Venöm 20,442]

In 2013, Season 3 ended, giving MLP to that point a total of 65 episodes. That's the usual number sent to various channels for syndication. Hasbro was gonna try and expand the reach of the show past the Hub. 

As we all know, this never came to pass, episodes being posted to Youtube & Dailymotion, combined with the decline in TV ratings overall. 

But what if Hasbro did land a deal to syndicate MLP in 2013? How would that have effected the growth and perception of the fandom? What channel would have been best for MLP to be aired on? Cartoon Network? Nickelodeon? Disney? Would syndication on something like Sinclair Broadcasting and their network of local affiliate channels across the U.S. have been a wise choice? Would the boost in viewers have remained consistent? Or would it have just been a short term fad? 

 

[Sparklefan1234 180,381]

@Denim&Venom

If MLP had been picked up for syndication following the Season 3 Finale there's a chance the fandom would be more widly accepted by 

people outside of our little "Discovery Family" bubble.

[Prospekt 11,035]

Best case scenario probably would have been for the reruns to air on Cartoon Network, followed by Disney or Disney XD. Both networks have done an admirable job with originals that have female main characters, like Steven Universe and Star vs. the Forces of Evil.

Maybe streaming services are why Hasbro decided not to pursue syndication. Netflix and Hulu have risen to prominence over the past several years. As for myself, I have primarily watched the show online due to the convenience factor. For the first couple of years, that made it easier to keep ponies away from the prying eyes of my family. Now, I live in a dorm that doesn't get Discovery Family on cable, so I rely on live streaming and on-demand streaming.

Would syndication be nice? Of course. I get all of the other major cartoon channels. But watching on the internet works just fine.