Syndication deal reached for ‘Idol’

Hoping the appeal of “American Idol” never fades, FremantleMedia North America, which produces the talent show, said that it has reached a syndication deal to repackage old episodes of America’s No. 1 TV series.

“American Idol Rewind” will be a one-hour, weekend series to air, beginning next fall, on TV stations owned by the Tribune Co. and Sinclair Broadcasting. Chicago-based Tribune also publishes the Los Angeles Times.

Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal is an attempt to squeeze additional life from the extensive library of footage shot for the show, which runs on Fox Broadcasting. The producers, including 19 Entertainment, and Los Angeles-based Tribune Entertainment, which negotiated the deal, are betting young viewers’ interest in contestants from previous seasons will remain high even after they know which singer won the competition.

Meg James

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FINALLY

Grammy tribute: Veteran music executive Mo Ostin will be honored by the Recording Academy at a “Grammy Salute to Industry Icons” event. Ostin, who guided Warner Bros. Records for three decades, will receive the academy’s President’s Merit Award at a private gathering at the Los Angeles Convention Center after the Feb. 8 Grammy ceremonies.