By Chris Pursell

Falls syndication debut of Degrassi: The Next Generation just got bigger. Distributor Program Partners announced Tuesday that the series has topped the 70 percent mark, helped by recent deals with the Hearst-Argyle, Hubbard, Capitol Broadcasting and Acme station groups.

Among the stations set to air the strip for the September launch are WMOR-TV in Tampa, Fla.; Minneapolis duopoly KSTP-TV/KSTC-TV; Clevelands WBNX; Albuquerques KBWQ-TV; and, in North Carolina, Charlotte duopoly WJZY-TV/WMYT-TV and WRAZ in Raleigh-Durham. With these clearances, the show now is set to air in 18 of the top 20 and 25 of the top 30 markets.

Degrassi has emerged as this years best new early-fringe option, said Ritch Colbert, a principal at Program Partners. The series has high production values, a built-in fan base and a proven track record.

Program Partners previously announced it has scored a group deal with the Tribune station group in the major markets, including WPIX in New York, KTLA in Los Angeles and WGN in Chicago.

(Editor: Horowitz)