Viacom Productions: Difference between revisions
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'''Viacom Enterprises''' was the television distribution division of the CBS Television Network, formed in 1952 as '''CBS Television Film Sales''', later renamed to '''CBS Films''' in 1958, '''CBS Enterprises, Inc.''' in 1968, then to Viacom in 1970. In 1971, it was spun-off to comply with FCC regulations prohibiting television networks from distributing their programs under their own names. Subsequently, Viacom formed "Viacom Productions" to produce first-run television series airing on the major television networks. | '''Viacom Enterprises''' was the television distribution division of the CBS Television Network, formed in 1952 as '''CBS Television Film Sales''', later renamed to '''CBS Films''' in 1958, '''CBS Enterprises, Inc.''' in 1968, then to Viacom in 1970. In 1971, it was spun-off to comply with FCC regulations prohibiting television networks from distributing their programs under their own names. Subsequently, Viacom formed "Viacom Productions" to produce first-run television series airing on the major television networks. | ||
The company was popular during the 1970s and 1980s, originally distributing CBS-produced shows such as ''I Love Lucy'' and ''The Andy Griffith Show''. In later years, they've distributed shows from numerous other production companies, including [[MTM Enterprises]], [[Filmways Television]], [[The Carsey-Werner Company|Carsey/Werner]], [[Lorimar Television]], [[Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment|Rankin/Bass]], and [[Hanna-Barbera]] (the latter mostly internationally). They also distributed several [[Four Star International|Four Star]] shows, and early [[ | The company was popular during the 1970s and 1980s, originally distributing CBS-produced shows such as ''I Love Lucy'' and ''The Andy Griffith Show''. In later years, they've distributed shows from numerous other production companies, including [[MTM Enterprises]], [[Filmways Television]], [[The Carsey-Werner Company|Carsey/Werner]], [[Lorimar Television]], [[Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment|Rankin/Bass]], and [[Hanna-Barbera]] (the latter mostly internationally). They also distributed several [[Four Star International|Four Star]] shows, and early [[Nelvana]] TV specials, as well as most movie releases from Romulus Films, [[Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions|Hallmark Hall of Fame]], [[Tomorrow Entertainment]], [[New World Pictures]] (until 1984), [[Orion Pictures]], [[New Line Cinema]], [[Cannon Films]], and the [[Terrytoons]] library, among others, until they formed their own syndication companies. In 1971, Viacom and its production division formed "Viacom International, Inc." as their new parent company for distributing programs overseas. | ||
Within a decade, Viacom was bought by cinema chain [[National Amusements]], becoming part of the newly-reincorporated "Viacom, Inc." On January 1, 1990, as part of a restructuring, [[Viacom Pictures]] was formed. On March 11, 1994, Viacom acquired Paramount Communications, Inc. and Viacom Enterprises was folded into [[Paramount Television (1967-2006)|Paramount Domestic Television]] (later "[[CBS Television Distribution]]" and now "[[CBS Media Ventures]]"), by transferring the domestic rights of the Viacom library. Viacom International was later reorganized as the parent company of MTV Networks and [[Showtime Networks]]. Viacom transferred the international rights of the said library into Paramount International Television, while Viacom Productions was reincorporated as a production sub-division of Paramount Television. The Viacom Enterprises logo of the era was still used for "Viacom Productions" with an updated variant, and would remain until 1999, receiving another update to the logo to reflect the company's new status after merging with former parent company CBS. The 1999-2004 Viacom logo would be its last, as the final two series to end under the Viacom Productions name would be ''Ed'' and ''The Division''. | Within a decade, Viacom was bought by cinema chain [[National Amusements]], becoming part of the newly-reincorporated "Viacom, Inc." On January 1, 1990, as part of a restructuring, [[Viacom Pictures]] was formed. On March 11, 1994, Viacom acquired Paramount Communications, Inc. and Viacom Enterprises was folded into [[Paramount Television (1967-2006)|Paramount Domestic Television]] (later "[[CBS Television Distribution]]" and now "[[CBS Media Ventures]]"), by transferring the domestic rights of the Viacom library. Viacom International was later reorganized as the parent company of MTV Networks and [[Showtime Networks]]. Viacom transferred the international rights of the said library into Paramount International Television, while Viacom Productions was reincorporated as a production sub-division of Paramount Television. The Viacom Enterprises logo of the era was still used for "Viacom Productions" with an updated variant, and would remain until 1999, receiving another update to the logo to reflect the company's new status after merging with former parent company CBS. The 1999-2004 Viacom logo would be its last, as the final two series to end under the Viacom Productions name would be ''Ed'' and ''The Division''. | ||
In light of serious financial troubles brought on to Viacom, the production unit was folded into Paramount Network Television (now "[[CBS Studios]]") in 2004. Paramount took control of the remaining Viacom-produced series in 2005. On December 31 of that year, Viacom was reincorporated as "CBS Corporation", ceasing to exist officially. A "new" Viacom was established on the same day, as the holding company for Paramount Pictures, the MTV Networks, BET Networks, and their non-television firms. By 2009, most Viacom-distributed TV productions were distributed under CBS Media Ventures (formerly "CBS Paramount Domestic Television" and "CBS Television Distribution") and outside the U.S. under [[Paramount Global Content Distribution]] (formerly "[[CBS Paramount International Television]]" and "[[CBS Studios International]]"), while the previous Viacom-distributed movies, and some Viacom Domestic Media Networks TV shows were distributed by Paramount with U.S. over-the-air rights licensed to [[Trifecta Entertainment and Media]]. On December 4, 2019, Viacom and CBS re-merged, forming [[ViacomCBS]]. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS was renamed to [[Paramount Global]], putting the Viacom name to rest after 51 years. | In light of serious financial troubles brought on to Viacom, the production unit was folded into Paramount Network Television (now "[[CBS Studios]]") in 2004. Paramount took control of the remaining Viacom-produced series in 2005. On December 31 of that year, Viacom was reincorporated as "CBS Corporation", ceasing to exist officially. A "new" Viacom was established on the same day, as the holding company for Paramount Pictures, the MTV Networks, BET Networks, and their non-television firms. By 2009, most Viacom-distributed TV productions were distributed under CBS Media Ventures (formerly "CBS Paramount Domestic Television" and "CBS Television Distribution") and outside the U.S. under [[Paramount Global Content Distribution]] (formerly "[[CBS Paramount International Television]]" and "[[CBS Studios International]]"), while the previous Viacom-distributed movies, and some Viacom Domestic Media Networks TV shows were distributed by Paramount with U.S. over-the-air rights licensed to [[Trifecta Entertainment & Media|Trifecta Entertainment and Media]]. On December 4, 2019, Viacom and CBS re-merged, forming [[ViacomCBS]]. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS was renamed to [[Paramount Global]], putting the Viacom name to rest after 51 years. | ||
Before the Paramount purchase, Viacom titles were distributed on home video by [[Magnetic Video Corporation]], [[CBS Home Entertainment|CBS Video Enterprises]] (coincidental as Viacom would later own CBS), [[Warner Home Video]], [[VidAmerica]], [[Forum Home Video]] and [[U.S.A. Home Video]], among others. A little known fact is that Viacom actually stands for "'''Vi'''sual '''A'''udio '''Com'''munications". | Before the Paramount purchase, Viacom titles were distributed on home video by [[Magnetic Video Corporation]], [[CBS Home Entertainment|CBS Video Enterprises]] (coincidental as Viacom would later own CBS), [[Warner Home Video]], [[VidAmerica]], [[Forum Home Video]] and [[U.S.A. Home Video]], among others. A little known fact is that Viacom actually stands for "'''Vi'''sual '''A'''udio '''Com'''munications". | ||