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Syndication is a distribution method. I don't work in the broadcast industry so my terminology may be incorrect, but this is my understanding of things:
Take a TV show, say ... The Simpsons. Waaaay back when, Fox procured the rights to broadcast The Simpsons. Distribution (broadcasting) is controlled solely by Fox. Eventually there is a fair size library (say 3-4 seasons of episodes), enough for ... syndication. If your original series is still going, the rights holder still has exclusive broadcast rights over new episodes, but broadcast rights over the old episodes/reruns can be purchased by any station.
For series that have ended, syndication can ensure a long lifetime on TV (Seinfeld, Cheers are examples of shows that are long gone but still can be caught in syndication)
Alternatively, you have some shows which are NOT originally distributed via the network method. Some shows are distributed straight from syndication (Star Trek, The Next Generation was a notable example).
Syndication is not usually a requirement for success but tends to ensure the longevity of a series. Usually a network-to-syndication transition means that the television series has been relatively successful (such that independent stations would WANT to rebroadcast reruns).
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