The Program Exchange

The Program Exchange (known as DFS Program Exchange from 1979 to 1986 and DFS-Dorland Program Exchange from 1986 to 1987) is a syndicator of television programs. From 1987 to 2008, it was a division of Saatchi & Saatchi North America, an advertising agency (which acquired Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, the original owners). The company is now owned by ZenithOptimedia, another advertising agency, and sports a new logo to reflect this ownership. Their distribution catalog contains numerous animated cartoons, situation comedies and feature films.

The Program Exchange is a "barter syndicator", distributing programming on behalf of the shows' producers, many of them having their own cash distribution services. Instead of paying a cash fee, television stations who run these programs agree to a barter exchange, wherein the station agrees to air a certain number of commercials for various General Mills products per program. This arrangement allows for the programs to air on stations that may not have large budgets to acquire them.

The Program Exchange only handles distribution for all titles listed below.

Animated Programs

• The Bullwinkle Show and Rocky and His Friends (both from Jay Ward Productions - 176 Half-Hours)
• Dennis the Menace (DiC Entertainment - 78 Half-Hours)
• Dudley Do Right and Friends (Jay Ward Productions - 38 Half-Hours)
• Garfield and Friends (Film Roman / United Media - ?? Half-Hours)
• King Leonardo (Classic Media - 38 Half-Hours)
• Knights of the Zodiac (DiC Entertainment with ADV Films; Licensed by Toei Animation - 40 Half-Hours)
• Space Kidettes and Young Samson (Hanna-Barbera Productions - 20 Half-Hours)
• Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales (Classic Media - 140 Half-Hours)
• Uncle Waldo's Cartoon Show (Jay Ward Productions - 52 Half-Hours)
• The Underdog Show (Classic Media - 62 Half-Hours)
• Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego (DiC Entertainment - 40 Half-Hours)

Live-Action Series

• 227 (Sony Pictures Television - 116 Half-Hours)
• The Addams Family (MGM Television - 64 Half-Hours)
• Benson (Sony Pictures Television - 158 Half-Hours)
• Charles in Charge (NBC Universal Television - 126 Half-Hours)
• Coach (NBC Universal Television - 200 Half-Hours)
• Gimme A Break! (NBC Universal Television - 137 Half-Hours)
• Just Shoot Me (Sony Pictures Television - 148 Half Hours) (distribution begins on June 1, 2008)
• The Munsters (NBC Universal Television - 70 Half-Hours)
• NewsRadio (Sony Pictures Television - 97 Half-Hours)
• What's Happening!! and What's Happening Now!! (Sony Pictures Television - 131 Half-Hours)

Feature Films

• 1984 (Window: January 1 to March 31, 2008)
• Back to School (Window: April 1 to June 30, 2008)
• The Bridge at Remagen (Window: April 1 to June 30, 2008)
• Bustin' Loose (Window: July 1 to September 30, 2008)
• Circle of Friends (Window: December 15, 2007 to March 14, 2008)
• Coming Home (Window: July 1 to September 30, 2008)
• Diggstown (Window: April 1 to June 30, 2008)
• Dragnet (Window: January 1 to February 29, 2008)
• Ed (Window: December 1, 2007 to February 29, 2008)
• Fiddler on the Roof (Window: July 1 to September 30, 2008)
• Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain (Window: July 1 to September 30, 2008)
• Hair (Window: July 1 to September 30, 2008)
• Inherit the Wind (Window: April 1 to June 30, 2008)
• Man of La Mancha (Window: April 1 to June 30, 2008)
• Problem Child (Window: July 31 to September 30, 2008)
• RoboCop (Window: March 1 to March 31, 2008)
• RoboCop 2 (Window: March 1 to March 31, 2008)
• RoboCop 3 (Window: March 1 to March 31, 2008)
• The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (Window: January 1 to March 31, 2008)
• The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (Window: July 1 to September 30, 2008)
• Tom Jones (Window: April 1 to June 30, 2008)
• Topkapi (Window: January 1 to March 31, 2008)
• The Wizard (Window: September 1 to November 30, 2008)

Programming previously distributed by The Program Exchange

• The Abbott and Costello Show
• Bewitched
• The Flintstones
• The Partridge Family
• Sailor Moon (the first series)

External links

• Official site
• The Program Exchange at the Internet Movie Database
• DFS Program Exchange at the Internet Movie Database
• A video of all five Program Exchange logos