Passage Summary: If a TV network sells old episodes of a current show to other stations, the network might lose money because the new episodes' ratings often drop when reruns are available at the same time.

Conclusion: Selling syndicated reruns of a popular show while it is still airing on a network can result in lower revenue for that network.

Reasoning: A study indicates that 80 percent of shows that air reruns and new episodes simultaneously experience an immediate drop in ratings for the new episodes.

Analysis: The argument makes a leap from a drop in viewership ratings to a drop in actual revenue. To make this logic hold, the author must assume that the money lost from lower ratings isn't offset by the money gained from selling those syndication rights. It also assumes that lower ratings for first-run episodes actually lead to a decrease in the network's income, likely through advertising rates. Television executives might love the quick cash from syndication, but the author suggests it might be a case of 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' if it kills the main show's audience.