Greengrass Productions
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Headquarters | California , United States |
| Parent | ABC Entertainment (Disney Entertainment Television) |
The American Broadcasting Company has launched multiple production entities since its inception in 1943, transitioning through different ownerships to its present affiliation with the Walt Disney Company. From 1953 to 1971, ABC Film Syndication—also known as ABC Films—functioned as the network's syndication division until the FCC's Financial Interest and Syndication Rules compelled its divestiture. This division was sold to five former executives and subsequently rebranded as Worldvision Enterprises. Currently, ABC's main production branch operates under the name 20th Television.
Production arms were also developed within Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises and Capital Cities/ABC Video Productions. Both were eventually integrated into the ABC Cable and International Broadcast Group, which transformed into Disney Media Distribution in 2011 and later became Disney Platform Distribution in 2020, following the merger of Capital Cities/ABC with Disney. Additional subsidiaries encompass Ultra Entertainment, the Hemisphere Group, and DIC Entertainment.
Greengrass Productions
Greengrass Productions, Inc. is a division of ABC Entertainment, which falls under the umbrella of Disney Entertainment Television. Established in California in 1992, Greengrass endured through the 1996 Disney acquisition that led to the closure of most Capital Cities/ABC production units. It remains operational alongside smaller specialized entities like Victor Television Productions and DIC Entertainment.
Filmography
- Television series
| Title | Years | Co-production partners | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police File | 1992 | Skyvision Entertainment and Grosso-Jacobson Entertainment | Television pilot that was not broadcast; co-produced |
| Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa | 1992–1993 | King World Productions, Gunther-Wahl Productions (season 1), Ruby-Spears Enterprises (season 2), Flextech Television, Mini Mountain Productions | Currently owned by WildBrain |
| Wild Palms | May 16–19, 1993 | Mini-series for television | |
| Street Match | 1993 | Goldin-Sachs Entertainment Group | |
| Bump in the Night | 1994–1995 | Danger Productions | Currently owned by WildBrain |
| On Our Own | 1994–1995 | Lightkeeper Productions, de Passe Entertainment, Miller-Boyett Productions, Warner Bros. Television | |
| A Whole New Ballgame | 1995 | Bungalow 78 Productions, Universal Television | |
| Extreme | 1995 | Alan Barnette Productions, Universal Television | |
| Hypernauts | 1996 | DIC Entertainment | Currently owned by WildBrain |
| Champions of Magic | 1996–1999 | Produced three special episodes | |
| Over the Top | 1997 | Katlin/Bernstein Productions, Panamort Television, Columbia TriStar Television | |
| The Best Commercials You've Never Seen (And Some You Have) | 1998–2002 | A total of seven specials | |
| Storm of the Century | February 14–18, 1999 | Mini-series for television | |
| Extreme Makeover | 2002–2007 | Lighthearted Entertainment | |
| Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | 2003–2012, 2020 | Base Camp Films, Hoosick Falls Productions, Endemol USA | |
| The Great Christmas Light Fight | 2013–present | Fremantle | |
| Big Fan | 2017 | Smo King Baby, Banijay Studios North America | |
| Boy Band | 2017 | Matador Content | |
| Battle of the Network Stars | 2017 | El Dorado Pictures | |
| Child Support | 2018 | Banijay Studios North America | |
| Castaways | 2018 | Nomad Entertainment | |
| The Alec Baldwin Show | 2018 | El Dorado Pictures | |
| Holey Moley | 2019–2022 | Unanimous Media, Eureka Productions | |
| Encore! | 2019–20 | Olive Bridge Entertainment, Leading Laidy, Jason Cohen Productions | |
| Don't | 2020 | Maximum Effort, Banijay Studios North America | |
| Emergency Call | 2020–2021 | 8HOURS Television | |
| The Chase | 2021–present | ITV Entertainment | |
| Pooch Perfect | 2021 | ||
| The Ultimate Surfer | 2021 | Pilgrim Media Group, WSL Studios | |
| Judge Steve Harvey | 2022–present | East 112, Den of Thieves | |
| Who Do You Believe? | 2022 | All3Media America, Lime Pictures | |
| The Final Straw | 2022 | Walt Disney Television Alternative, Omaha Productions, B17 Entertainment | |
| Claim to Fame | 2022–present | Walt Disney Television Alternative, Kinetic Content | |
| Generation Gap | 2022–present | Kimmelot, Milojo Productions, MGM Television |
- Films and specials
| Title | Release Date | Co-production partners |
|---|---|---|
| The Parsley Garden (ABC Weekend Specials) | March 27, 1993 | White Sneakers |
| Rhythm and Jam: Rhythm & Rap (ABC Weekend Specials) | September 18, 1993 | |
| Rhythm and Jam: Melody & Harmony (ABC Weekend Specials) | September 25, 1993 | |
| Betrayed by Love | January 17, 1994 | |
| Money Made Easy: The ABC Kids' Guide to Dollars and Sense (ABC Weekend Specials) | April 2/9, 1994 | Paley/Price Productions |
| The Secret Garden (ABC Weekend Specials) | November 5, 1994 | DIC Entertainment, Kalisto Ltd.; currently owned by WildBrain |
| World's Funniest Commercials | November 9, 1994 | Woody Fraser Enterprises |
| Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale (ABC Weekend Specials) | February 25, 1995 | Ruby-Spears Productions |
| The Secret of Lizard Woman (ABC Weekend Specials) | November 12, 1995 | |
| Put to the Test | April 29, 1996 | |
| Sex with Cindy Crawford | September 22, 1998 | |
| 'Tom Clancy's NetForce' | February1 ,1999 | Cates/Doty Productions |
| 'Runaway Virus' | January29 ,2000 | |
| 'Quarantine' | August5 ,2000 | |
| 'The2000 Radio Music Awards' | November4 ,2000 | Tall Pony Productions, Radio Dogs Inc. |
| 'Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' (2001) | November15 ,2001 | |
| 'Challenge America with Erin Brockovich: Miracle in Manhattan' | December21 ,2001 | |
| 'Stephen King's Rose Red' | January27 ,2002 | Victor Television Productions,
Mark Carliner Productions |
| 'The Best TV Shows That Never Were' | August16 ,2004 | |
| 'Encore!' | (2017) | |
| 'Mickey's90th Spectacular' | November4 ,2018 | Don Mischer Productions |
| 'Live in Front of a Studio Audience' | May22 ,2019; December18 ,2019; December7 ,2021 | Sony Pictures Television,
Act III Communications, Kimmelot Production Company, Smoking Baby Productions, Gary Sanchez Productions |
| 'The Little Mermaid Live!' | (November5 ,2019) | Done and Dusted |
| 'The Disney Family Singalong' | April16 ,2020 | Done and Dusted |
| 'The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II' | May10 ,2020 | Done and Dusted |
| 'The Happy Days of Garry Marshall' | May12 ,2020 | |
| 'VOMO: Vote or Miss Out' | September14 ,2020 | |
| 'The Disney Holiday Singalong' | November30 ,2020 | Done and Dusted |
| 'The Queen Family Singalong' | November4 ,2021 | Done and Dusted |
| 'The Magic Maker' | November25 ,2021 | |
| 'A Very Boy Band Holiday' | December6 ,2021 | |
| 'Step Into...the Movies with Derek and Julianne Hough' | March20 ,2022 | |
| 'Norman Lear:100 Years of Music and Laughter' | September22 ,2022 | |
| 'Beauty and the Beast: A30th Celebration' | December15 ,2022 | |
| 'Schoolhouse Rock!50th Anniversary Singalong' | February1 ,2023 |
Lincoln Square Productions
Lincoln Square Productions, LLC (LSP) operates as a television production branch within ABC News, focusing primarily on nonfiction programming such as documentaries and talk shows.
- Background
Established as an LLC on January 8, 2003, Lincoln Square Productions originated from ABC News Productions. The company created series including Watt's World, featuring journalist Nick Watt's exploration of unique cultures, initially airing on the Travel Channel. On October 30, 2014, Lincoln Square assumed responsibility for producing the established talk show The View, transitioning it from ABC Entertainment's Times Square Studios to boost its audience engagement.
In early 2015, Lincoln Square formed a production alliance with Christine Connor’s XCON, a company specializing in historical docudramas. That same year, the company produced four specials for A&E, beginning with Cosby: The Women Speak. By mid-2018, Lincoln Square expanded its partnership with A&E’s Lifetime network to develop films under the "Robin Roberts Presents" label. In April 2019, Lincoln Square was announced as part of Disney+’s lineup of unscripted content with projects like Rogue Trip, which later moved to National Geographic.
- Productions
- A&E Biography: Jodie Foster (2005)
- The Assets (ABC) (2014)
- Ebola: Inside the Deadly Outbreak (Discovery Channel)
- Final Witness (ABC), a seven-episode true-crime series launched in June 2012
- Mustang Millionaire (National Geographic Channel)
- NY Med (ABC)
- Surgeon Oz (Oprah Winfrey Network, 2014–2015)
- The View (ABC) (2014–present)
- Barbara Walters Presents American Scandals (Investigation Discovery, 2015)
- “Next Step Realty: NYC” (freeform, 2015), a documentary focused on real estate for recent college graduates
- 20/20: In an Instant (ABC; 2015–2018) (in collaboration with Committee Films)
- 9/11: As We Watched and Capturing Bin Laden (American Heroes Channel, 2016)
- The End of America: Putin's Master Plan (History) – A special under the A&E Biography brand
- Grace vs. Abrams (A&E, 2018–), a legal debate series featuring Nancy Grace and Dan Abrams
- Cosby: The Women Speak (A&E special, 2015)
- Robin Roberts Presents (Lifetime), a telefilm series with accompanying documentaries; Roberts acts as executive producer
- An untitled Mahalia Jackson drama and documentary
- The Last Defense (2018) (in partnership with Xcon Productions and JuVee Productions)
- Reversing Roe (Netflix, 2018), a documentary examining abortion rights
- 1969 (2019)
- Mickey: The Story of a Mouse (2022), co-produced alongside Tremolo Productions
Valleycrest Productions
Valleycrest Productions Limited functions as a television series production entity and is a subsidiary under ABC Daytime, part of the ABC Entertainment Group.
Incorporated on March 6, 1987, Valleycrest gained recognition by producing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire by the year 1999 while operating as a subsidiary of Buena Vista Television (Disney–ABC Domestic Television). On December 2, 2011, Disney-ABC Television Group merged daytime and syndicated production operations within Times Square Studios.
By 2014, Valleycrest shifted production of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to the Connecticut Film Center in Stamford to benefit from state tax incentives aimed at film and television production, aligning with its strategy to reduce production expenses.
- Production Credits
| Title | Years | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike and Maty | April 1994–June 1996 | ABC | |
| Win Ben Stein's Money | 1997–2003 | Comedy Central | |
| Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | 1999–present | ABC/Syndication | Co-produced with Celador (1999–2007), 2waytraffic (2007–2019), Embassy Row and Kimmelot (2020–present) |
| The Ainsley Harriott Show | 2000 | Syndication | Co-produced alongside Merv Griffin Entertainment and Buena Vista Television |
ABC Circle 7 Productions
Incorporated on December 15, 1983, ABC Circle 7 Productions, Inc. served as the programming arm for ABC Owned Stations during the 1980s. It introduced the Newsbank service in August 1983, distributing approximately two dozen news stories daily to subscribing stations from ABC's five owned-and-operated outlets.
- Programming
- Newsbank: a news distribution platform delivering content to ABC's owned-and-operated stations.
ABC Productions
ABC Productions (ABCP), created on March 21, 1989, operated as a segment of the ABC Television Network Group dedicated to producing television series, miniseries, and telefilms. Based in Century City and overseen by President Brandon Stoddard alongside EVP Brian McAndrews, ABCP sought to enhance ABC's creative control and revenue by generating original programming. Although ABC retained first rights to the productions, ABCP also pioneered selling content to other networks, enabling cross-network distribution.
- History
Following modifications to fin-syn regulations that capped network ownership of prime-time shows at 40%, ABC Productions was established to expand the network’s production capabilities internally. Its initial endeavors included creating content for NBC, HBO, and Lifetime. By 1991, ABCP had acquired Andrew Adelson Co., secured exclusive agreements with prominent producers, and developed numerous projects. The division’s inaugural series placement was "My Life and Times" on ABC in 1991, followed by additional miniseries and telefilms for both ABC and Lifetime.
By the 1994–95 television season, ABC Productions was responsible for half of ABC’s regular programming lineup. In December 1994, ABC entered a $200 million joint venture with DreamWorks Television to collaborate on TV production. Additionally, ABCP successfully placed shows such as "The Boys Are Back" on CBS.
After Brandon Stoddard left in June 1995 and amid Disney’s acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC, ABC Productions ceased operations on June 7, 1996. Smaller production units like Victor Television Productions and Greengrass Productions continued independently. Brian McAndrews managed the remaining production divisions until his exit in 1998, after which ABC Pictures finalized its last projects before dissolving.
- Filmography
| Title | Years | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantasies | 1990 | ABC | Television special |
| Stop at Nothing | March 12, 1991 | ABC | TV movie |
| My Life and Times | 1991 | ABC | co-produced with Sea Change Productions |
| American Detective | 1991 | ABC | season one only; co-produced with Paul Stojanovich Productions and Orion Television Entertainment |
| Coconut Downs | 1991 | ABC | TV pilot episode |
| An American Saturday Night | May 4, 1991 | ABC | TV special presentation |
| An Inconvenient Woman | May 12–13, 1991 | ABC | Television miniseries |
| To Save A Child | September 8, 1991 | ABC | TV movie |
| The Commish | 1991–1996 | ABC | co-produced with Three-Putt Productions and Stephen J. Cannell Productions |
| She Woke Up | January 19, 1992 | ABC | TV movie |
| Fugitive Among Us | February 4, 1992 | CBS | TV movie |
| Running Delilah | 1992 | ABC | TV movie; co-produced with Sea Change Productions |
| Broadway Bound | March 23, 1992 | ABC | TV movie adaptation |
| Jack's Place | 1992–1993 | ABC | |
| America Behind Closed Doors | August 6, 1992 | CBS | Pilot episode for TV series |
| Camp Wilder | 1992–1993 | ABC | co-produced with Vanity Card Productions |
| Desperate Choices: To Save My Child | October 5, 1992 | ABC | TV movie |
| The Amy Fisher Story | January 3, 1993 | ABC | TV movie; co-produced with Andrew Adelson Company among others |
| Class of '96 | 1993 | FOX | co-produced with Mandy Films |
| Kiss of a Killer | February 1, 1993 | ABC | TV movie |
| Sirens | 1993 | ABC | season one only |
| The Circle Game | July 7, 1993 | ABC | Pilot episode for television series |
| Joe's Life | 1993 | ABC | co-produced with Bob Myer Productions |
| The Paula Poundstone Show | 1993 | ABC | |
| The Only Way Out | December 19, 1993 | ABC | TV movie |
| My Name Is Kate | January16,1994 | ABC | TV movie |
| Out of Darkness | January26,1994 | ABC | TV movie; co-produced with Anaid Film Productions and Andrew Adelson Co. |
| My So-Called Life | 1994–1995 | ABC | co-produced with The Bedford Falls Company |
| The Boys Are Back | 1994–1995 | CBS | co-produced with Vanity Card Productions |
| McKenna | 1994–1995 | ABC | |
| Me and the Boys | 1994–1995 | ABC | co-produced with Bob Myer Productions |
| A Dangerous Affair | January1,1995 | ABC | TV movie |
| She Stood Alone: The Tailhook Scandal | May22,1995 | ABC | TV movie |
| Bringing up Jack | 1995 | ABC | co-produced with Katlin/Bernstein Productions |
| Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story | September4,1995 | Lifetime | TV movie |
| Deadly Love | October16,1995 | Lifetime | TV movie |
| The Faculty | 1995–96 | ABC | co-produced with Meredith Baxter Productions and Thompson-Murphy Productions |
| Sophie And The Moonhanger | January15,1996 | Lifetime | TV movie |
ABC Pictures
ABC Pictures functioned as ABC Productions' internal division dedicated to creating television movies until it ceased operations in 1998. During its final phase, senior vice president Didier Pietri led a compact team comprising nine staff members.
In 1997, ABC Pictures entered into a two-year agreement with producer Gary L. Pudney, under which they developed projects such as The Picture of Dorian Gray. Additionally, the company collaborated with the C.P. Group and BIG Entertainment to produce the four-hour miniseries Tom Clancy's NetForce, which premiered in 1998. After completing five projects that were in development, ABC Pictures was ultimately closed that same year.
- Selected Filmography
| Title | Year | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Their Second Chance | 1997 | Lifetime | |
| Jitters | 1997 | Lifetime | |
| Convictions | 1997 | The Family Channel | |
| Circle of Deceit | 1998 | ABC | Co-produced with Andrea Baynes Productions |
| Twice Upon a Time | 1998 | Lifetime | Co-produced with Chris/Rose Productions |
ABC Circle Films
ABC Circle Films (ACF) operated as a production company for television movies and series owned by ABC from 1970 until 1989. It focused on producing TV movies and miniseries as part of ABC’s broader strategy to expand its filmed entertainment offerings. Positioned as a premium content creator, ACF benefited from increased budgets and extended runtimes compared to ABC’s Movie of the Week series, aiming for Sunday and Monday prime-time slots to attract larger audiences.
With leadership that included Lewis H. Erlicht—who moved from president of ABC Entertainment to lead ACF in 1985—ABC Circle Films played a key role in enhancing ABC’s presence in the TV movie market before being merged into ABC Productions in 1989.
- Notable Productions
| Title | Year(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| No Place to Run | 1972 | Co-produced with Spelling-Goldberg Productions |
| The Night Strangler | 1973 | Co-produced with Dan Curtis Productions |
| The President's Plane Is Missing | 1973 | Adapted from Robert J. Serling’s novel |
| Reflections of Murder | 1974 | Co-produced with Aaron Rosenberg/Charles Lederer Productions |
| Moonlighting | 1985–1989 | Television series; co-production with Picturemaker Productions |
| Amerika | 1987 | High-profile 14½-hour miniseries |
| War and Remembrance | 1988–1989 | Miniseries; co-produced with Dan Curtis Productions |
ABC/Kane Productions
Owned by Disney-ABC Television Group, ABC/Kane Productions International (AKPI) specialized in nonfiction programming and earned numerous accolades including 13 Emmy Awards, six Genesis Awards, several CINE awards, film festival recognitions, and an Academy Award nomination.
Established by Capital Cities/ABC Inc. on October 1, 1988, AKPI was initially led by president Dennis B. Kane. The division aimed to produce five programs annually beginning in 1990 for ABC and other broadcasters.
In 1998, AKPI garnered eleven Emmy nominations for The Living Edens, winning five awards in the news and documentary categories. By February 1999, Devillier Donegan Enterprises (DDE), affiliated with Buena Vista International Television, assumed responsibility for AKPI’s distribution, management, and operations.
- Productions
- The Living Edens (1995– PBS)
- ABC's World of Discovery
- Secrets of the Internet
- Tales of the Serengeti
- Wildlife Tales
- ABC Saturday Children's Special & pilot series Crash the Curiosaurus (1995)
Devillier Donegan Enterprises
Devillier Donegan Enterprises (DDE), originally established in 1980 by Ron Devillier and Brian Donegan as a documentary production company, underwent restructuring in 1994 when Capital Cities/ABC acquired a majority stake. Ownership later transferred to Disney following its acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC.
In February 1999, DDE, operating as a unit of Buena Vista International Television, assumed responsibility for managing and distributing ABC/Kane Productions International. By 2001, with Disney concentrating on its film projects, DDE explored new ownership options, considering Alliance Atlantis Communications and Granada among potential buyers. Ultimately, on March 11, 2002, DDE's management executed a buyout of Disney/ABC's shares, maintaining control over the ABC/Kane catalog and continuing to represent ABC News Productions.
ABC News Productions
ABC News Productions (ABCNP) functions as a long-form documentary division within ABC News's Digital Media Group. Formed in 1994, ABCNP creates documentaries for cable networks, international broadcasters, and home video markets. In August 2006, it was integrated into ABC News All Media alongside the broader ABC News production team.
- Key productions include
- The Trial of Adolf Eichmann (PBS) – Emmy-nominated
- Vietnam War (TLC) – an eight-hour miniseries
- Biography (A&E) – over two hundred episodes
- Regular television programs
- Lifetime Live (Lifetime)
- She TV (Discovery Health Channel)
ABC Motion Pictures
ABC Motion Pictures served as ABC's film production branch for theatrical and television projects from May 1979 until its closure in October 1985. Under the leadership of president Brandon Stoddard, the division aimed to capitalize on various revenue channels including theatrical distribution, broadcast licensing, videocassettes, and cable outlets. Distribution of its films was handled by 20th Century Fox.
Initially launched as a specialized film producer, ABC Motion Pictures was incorporated by mid-1980 and began producing films such as Young Doctors in Love (1982), marking Garry Marshall's directorial debut. Noteworthy titles include Silkwood (1983) featuring Meryl Streep and Prizzi's Honor (1985), all contributing to modest financial gains.
However, escalating competition from independent producers, rising production expenses, and networks prioritizing internally produced movies diminished licensing prospects for theatrical releases. Furthermore, distribution through major studios resulted in less advantageous release schedules for ABC’s films. Consequently, ABC terminated its theatrical operations on October 28, 1985, after releasing only six films in theaters. The division persisted in producing television movies and mini-series afterward.
A media analyst estimated that ABC's theatrical division incurred losses amounting to $5 million in 1985. Following the shutdown, ABC ended its agreement with Mercury Entertainment in March 1986.
- Selected Filmography
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Young Doctors in Love | 1982 | Profitable |
| National Lampoon's Class Reunion | 1982 | |
| Silkwood | 1983 | Profitable |
| The Flamingo Kid | 1984 | Profitable |
| Impulse | 1984 | |
| Prizzi's Honor | 1985 | Profitable |
| SpaceCamp | 1986 |
ABC Pictures International
ABC Pictures International, Inc.—also known as ABC Picture Holdings, Inc. (API)—served as the theatrical film production arm of ABC from 1965 until 1973, during which it produced or co-produced a total of 37 motion pictures.[li 1] The distribution of these films was managed by Cinerama Releasing Corporation.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
- Background
Established initially as a division in 1965 and later incorporated under the name ABC Picture Holdings, Inc., ABC Pictures broadened its production capabilities by launching Palomar Pictures and Selmur Pictures as additional film production entities.[1][2][3][4] This expansion into theatrical filmmaking led to regulatory scrutiny by the FCC and an antitrust lawsuit filed by the MPAA.[li 1] A significant acquisition during this period was the purchase of David O. Selznick's film library following his passing in 1965.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Although API's slate comprised 36 films with a combined budget of $75 million and rental revenues totaling $107 million, the company faced a $35 million deficit primarily due to distribution expenses and interest charges. Only six of these titles achieved profitability.[5] The economic downturn between 1969 and 1971 was a contributing factor to the division's shutdown in early 1973.[li 1]
On October 20, 1977, the firm was rebranded as ABC Pictures International, Inc., before ultimately being dissolved on February 19, 1988.[2]
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ABC Media Productions
ABC Media Productions (AMP), previously known as Buena Vista Productions (BVP), functioned as the internal television development and production division within ABC Daytime. The company focused on creating unscripted content spanning talk shows, game formats, and reality programming for syndication, cable networks, and prime time slots, often extending its projects beyond the Disney umbrella. AMP managed the production of prominent series such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
AMP history
In September 2000, following the consolidation of ABC Daytime Group with Buena Vista's development team, ABC Daytime replaced Buena Vista Development with Buena Vista Productions. Angela Shapiro, who was simultaneously president of ABC Daytime, headed BVP. In April 2002, Shapiro moved to the role of ABC Family President, and Holly Jacobs took over as executive vice president of BVP.
By August 2006, BVP collaborated with Fujisankei Communications to adapt the Japanese reality-game show Run for Money for American audiences.
In September 2008, BVP secured a first-look development agreement with Swedish producer Silverback. The following year, Buena Vista Productions underwent a rebranding to become ABC Media Productions. In May 2009, AMP launched development of The Aisha Tyler Show, a variety talk program incorporating social media elements designed for cable or broadcast syndication.
Programs
- Cha$e, Sci Fi Channel
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, syndication
- At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper, syndication (1986–)
- "The Fashionista Diaries" (SoapNet)
- "Camouflage" Game Show Network
- Wayne Brady Show
American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres Pictures
Atlas Pictures Corporation, originally named American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres Pictures Corporation (AB-PT Pictures), served as the film production branch of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres.
Established on December 30, 1956, with Irving H. Levin appointed as President, AB-PT Pictures was created to counteract a downturn in film production by producing B-movies that combined quality with appealing gimmicks to satisfy exhibitor needs. The initial plan allocated $3 million for seven films, utilizing the Republic Pictures studio lot for shooting and relying on Republic for distribution, which included releases through Paramount Theater chains and other outlets.
The company's debut film was Beginning of the End, which premiered on June 19, 1957, alongside The Unearthly as a double feature. By September 1957, AB-PT intended to expand into higher-budget A-features ranging from $500,000 to $1 million; however, only four such productions were completed. Among these was The Bat (1959 film), which received financing from AB-PT.
In May 1958, Irving Levin and Harry L. Mandell purchased AB-PT Pictures along with its distribution division from the parent company and renamed it Atlas Pictures Corporation.
- Films
- Beginning of the End (June 19, 1957)
- The Unearthly (June 19, 1957)
- Eighteen and Anxious (February 1958)
- Girl in the Woods (February 1958)
Circle Seven Productions
During the 1950s and 1960s, Circle Seven Productions operated as the production division of KGO-TV, ABC's owned-and-operated station in San Francisco. This entity was responsible for creating television content for both ABC and syndication markets, including a fitness program hosted by Jack LaLanne and a daytime talk/variety show featuring Tennessee Ernie Ford. Through these productions, Circle Seven contributed to ABC's programming lineup during that era.
Keep Calm and Carry On Productions
Keep Calm and Carry On Productions, Inc. is a subsidiary of ABC founded in 2008, known for producing shows like Duets and The Glass House. The latter series sparked legal controversy with CBS due to allegations that former staff members employed proprietary techniques from CBS's Big Brother. This company exemplifies ABC's focused investment in reality television formats.
Palomar Pictures International
Established by Edgar Scherick, Palomar Pictures International was a film production branch of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., active from the late 1960s. Palomar produced several significant films for ABC before ending its affiliation in 1969. The following year, Bristol-Myers acquired a controlling interest, signaling a change in ownership structure.
Notable feature films from Palomar include For Love of Ivy (1968), The Birthday Party (1968), The Killing of Sister George (1968), Shalako (1968), They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), and Sleuth (1972). The company also partnered with Amicus Productions and Cinema Center Films on various projects. Palomar's film portfolio played a key role in ABC's expansion into cinematic production during this period.
Selmur Productions
Founded in 1960 by Selig J. Seligman, Selmur Productions, Inc. functioned as the television production arm of American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (ABC). Its counterpart, Selmur Pictures, Inc., shifted from an oversight capacity to active film production in 1968, coinciding with the dissolution of Selmur Productions.
Prominent television series produced under Selmur included:
| Release Year | Title | Co-Production Partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Smashing Time | Carlo Ponti |
| 1968 | A Minute to Pray, A Second to Die | Carlo Ponti |
| 1968 | Candy | |
| Charly | ||
| Hell in the Pacific | ||
| Cop-Out | ||
| 1967 | The Rover | |
| Diamonds for Breakfast | ||
| The High Commissioner | ||
| 1969 | Midas Run |
This collection of productions significantly bolstered ABC's growth in filmed entertainment, enhancing its industry position and competitive strength throughout the 1960s.
Victor Television Productions was a specialized production company owned by ABC Entertainment.
After the Disney acquisition on June 7, 1996, Capital Cities/ABC terminated operations of its ABC Productions division but maintained ownership of boutique production entities such as Victor Television Productions, ABC/Kane Productions, DIC Entertainment, and Greengrass Productions.
- Selected Filmography
- Summertime Switch (October 8, 1994)
- Family Reunion: A Relative Nightmare (April 1, 1995) (co-produced with Hickox-Bowman Productions Inc.)
- Spring Fling! (April 15, 1995) (co-produced with Hickox-Bowman Productions Inc.)
- When The Vows Break (November 1, 1995)
- A Case For Life (February 18, 1996)
- The Stepford Husbands (May 14, 1996)
- The Siege at Ruby Ridge (May 19, 1996) (co-produced with Edgar J. Scherick Associates and The Regan Company)
- Chasing The Dragon (June 19, 1996)
- For The Future: The Irvine Fertility Scandal (August 21, 1996)
- Devil's Food (September 2, 1996)
- Frank Herbert's Dune (December 3, 2000) (co-produced with New Amsterdam Entertainment, Blixa Film Produktion, and Hallmark Entertainment)
- Stephen King's Rose Red (January 27, 2002) (co-produced with Greengrass Productions and Mark Carliner Productions)
- Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (mini-series; March 16–26, 2003)
- The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (May 12, 2003)
See also
- Animation studios under the Walt Disney Company
- Films created by ABC
- Specialized boutique film production firms:
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