What the heck is a 16mm negative film for?

[TV-collector]

Hi ppppenguin!
Many thanks for this great write up about this unusual story.
Just for me unusual.
I have to go deeper in that story.


Hi Electronic M!
Please explain this, because I am not common with the american
syndicated shows.
Years ago I bought many old american police drama of the 50s/60s.
So we talk about "Perry Mason", "Superman", "The untouchables"
and some other low budget drama for my TV station.
Several times I did read something about "syndicated" when they
were offered on iebay.
The bavarian Television is part of the ARD, controled and managed by the government.
They had not made a lot of copies, as far only for themselves.

You have 4 time zones and TV stations which placed ads from local companies.
Thats why there are so many copies available.
American TV stations were able to interchange movies if the showed
runnung lines.
From the german television you will never get a copy of stuff they
produced to air.
On the other hand there were companies offering movies for rental reasons.
They were used in cinemas, schools or the Kindergarten.

But that police drama stuff was produced by the german television for
their own use and was never given away.

Regards,
TV-collector