MGM Television

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television
Company type	Division
Industry	Television production, broadcast syndication
Predecessor	MGM/UA Television
Founded	June 1956; 70 years ago
Founder	Bud Barry
Fate	Continues as television production arm of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Headquarters	United States, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Mark Burnett (CEO of MGM Television from 2015)
Products	Television series, miniseries, broadcast syndication
Owner	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Parent	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television, once known as MGM/UA Television, serves as the television production arm of the American film company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Its primary activities include broadcast syndication alongside the creation and distribution of television series and miniseries.

Between February 11, 2005, and May 31, 2006, Sony Pictures Television managed distribution of MGM’s television content through a Sony-led consortium that had acquired MGM. Subsequently, MGM resumed full oversight of its television productions and reentered the first-run syndication arena with the launch of Paternity Court.

Background

During the early 1950s, MGM initially utilized television as a promotional platform by collaborating with The Ed Sullivan Show on CBS. After this program transitioned to 20th Century Fox, MGM attempted but was unsuccessful in establishing a similar promotional partnership with NBC. Its early television venture, MGM Parade, a half-hour anthology series produced by the studio’s trailer department, sought to emulate the success of Disney’s anthology series on ABC. However, ABC discontinued MGM Parade by mid-1956.

Origins

In 1956, MGM considered offers for its film catalog, including a $50 million bid from Lou Chesler of PRM, Inc. Opting against a sale, MGM decided to enter the television sector directly. The launch of MGM Television occurred in June 1956 under Bud Barry’s leadership, with a focus on distributing its extensive library of 770 films to TV networks and developing new shows based on its properties. The division was further strengthened by executives such as C. Pete Jaeger and Monroe Mendelsohn, who joined from Guild Films.

In August 1956, MGM acquired a 25% ownership stake in KTTV Los Angeles and secured a $4 million film lease agreement. By April 1957, MGM Television had commenced producing commercials for clients including Knickerbocker and Standard Oil of Indiana. That same year, the U.S. Department of Justice filed suit against MGM alleging block booking practices concerning its film library; MGM refuted these claims, highlighting its flexible licensing agreements and tiered pricing structures.

Toward the end of 1957, MGM Television was engaged in negotiations for multiple series deals, including collaborations with NBC’s syndication division, California National Productions. However, after NBC declined the Jeopardy pilot in 1959, MGM temporarily halted primetime production but resumed activities during the 1960-61 season under executive producers such as Paul Monash and Norman Felton.

In 1973, MGM introduced the MGM Family Network (MFN), distributing programming to 145 stations to broaden its market reach. Financial difficulties led to the closure of its distribution offices in October that year; subsequently, film library distribution was outsourced for a decade while its music publishing assets were sold to United Artists.

1980s−1990s

In 1981, InterMedia Entertainment executives Fred Silverman and George Reeves secured an agreement to produce films and television content with MGM.

Following the merger with United Artists in 1982, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television' was rebranded as MGM/UA Television Distribution. By 1984, the company launched the ad hoc MGM/UA Premiere Network, which showcased films. That year also saw producer David Gerber joining MGM to develop television projects; he later assumed presidency of MGM/UA Television in 1985. Additionally, producer Jerry Ludwig inked a two-year production deal in 1983.

In 1986, Ted Turner purchased MGM/UA from Kirk Kerkorian, acquiring its film and television libraries. Due to financial constraints, Turner returned United Artists and the MGM trademark after just 74 days but retained pre-May 1986 MGM TV content. This catalog eventually became part of Warner Bros. following Time Warner's acquisition in 1996. After this transaction, the television division was renamed MGM/UA Television Productions and merged with United Artists Television under John J. McMahon’s leadership.

On October 15, 1986, MGM/UA Communications’ international TV division accelerated global distribution of fourteen James Bond films to enhance market penetration.

In 1987, the television distribution entity adopted the name MGM/UA Telecommunications Group under MGM/UA Communications Co.. The company continued producing series such as Fame (until 1987), The Twilight Zone (until 1989), and Kids Incorporated (until 1993). That year also marked a syndication partnership between MGM/UA Telecommunications and CBS Broadcast International for worldwide distribution of The Twilight Zone episodes.

By 1992, the company reverted to the name MGM Television and restructured as MGM Worldwide Television Group, supported by its distributor MGM Telecommunications Group. The same year saw dissolution of the MGM TV Group and departure of David Gerber.

After Credit Lyonnais took control of MGM Studios in 1993 and Frank Mancuso was appointed CEO, a new television production division was established. In 1995, Gross-Weston Productions entered into an agreement with MGM while MGM/UA Telecommunications collaborated with Australia's Seven Network on co-productions.

Following Kirk Kerkorian’s return in 1996, several divisions were rebranded as MGM Television Entertainment, MGM Domestic Television Distribution, and MGM International Television Distribution, although multiple corporate names continued appearing in program credits.

In 1997, MGM expanded its library significantly by acquiring Orion Pictures Corporation, The Samuel Goldwyn Company, and Motion Picture Corporation of America from Metromedia for $573 million. As a result, MGM Television currently manages most properties originally produced or distributed by Filmways, Orion Television, American International Television, Heatter-Quigley Productions, and Samuel Goldwyn Television.

On July 27, 1997, MGM debuted Stargate SG-1, a long-running cable series that became an important addition to its television portfolio.

2000s−present

In March 2001, MGM entered into a multi-year international distribution agreement covering the NBC Studios catalog, which included both existing and forthcoming programs. The following year, MGM and NBC Enterprises launched a joint advertising initiative to manage national advertising barter time for their syndicated shows and oversee licensing within the domestic syndication arena. This partnership concluded on December 31, 2004, coinciding with NBC Enterprises' merger into Universal Domestic Television.

In 2005, a consortium comprising Sony Corporation, Comcast, and private equity investors acquired MGM. Subsequently, Sony Pictures Television assumed responsibility for global distribution and certain aspects of domestic distribution for MGM Television's library, rebranding this segment as MGM Worldwide Television Distribution. On May 31, 2006, MGM transitioned its home video distribution to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and revitalized its television production and distribution division. Later that year, MGM secured distribution rights for New Line Cinema’s film and television catalog; however, these rights reverted to Warner Bros. in 2008 following Time Warner's consolidation of New Line Cinema.

During the mid-2000s, MGM expanded into television networks and cable channels. November 2006 saw the launch of This TV, a collaborative venture with Weigel Broadcasting, followed by the introduction of the MGM HD cable channel in 2007. In August 2008, MGM partnered with Comcast to debut the Impact video-on-demand channel. Additionally, MGM managed distribution for the Me-TV network initiated by Weigel Broadcasting in December 2010. The company also collaborated on KIN TV, an African-American subchannel, and played a role in launching TV One, an African-American cable network targeted at stations in late 2011. April 2014 marked the launch of The Works digital network by MGM, which reached roughly 31% of U.S. households.

By 2009, MGM Television was developing eight series and entered into a first-look agreement with Emma Roberts' production company Bossy Boots Production for projects associated with MTV. The company also established Orion TV Production as a financing and distribution entity. In December 2012, through Orion TV Productions, MGM Television premiered the tabloid-style/nontraditional courtroom program Paternity Court.

MGM Television Group and Digital

On September 22, 2014, MGM acquired a majority stake of 55% in Lightworkers Media and One Three Media—companies founded by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey—merging them into United Artists Media Group with Burnett appointed as CEO. By December 2015, MGM purchased the remaining shares and named Burnett CEO of MGM Television, integrating his reality franchises such as Survivor, The Voice, The Celebrity Apprentice, and Shark Tank under MGM Television co-production.

MGM continued its first-look arrangement with Content Media Corporation and inked a multi-year scripted production deal with Caryn Mandabach Productions in October 2015. The following year in November 2016, MGM launched Gato Grande Productions—a joint venture with Mexican entrepreneurs Miguel Aleman and Antonio Cué—debuting with a series centered on Luis Miguel.

Expanding digitally, MGM collaborated with Sinclair Broadcast Group to introduce the Comet network in October 2015, which specialized in science fiction content sourced from MGM’s library. In December 2016, Light TV was launched targeting family-oriented and faith-based viewers; this was followed by Charge! in February 2017—another Sinclair partnership emphasizing action programming.

MGM bolstered its nonfiction portfolio by acquiring Evolution Media in July 2017—known for producing the Real Housewives franchise—and Big Fish Entertainment in June 2018—the producers behind A&E's Live PD. To advance its digital initiatives, Sam Toles was appointed senior vice-president of digital and new platforms in March 2017.

In July 2017, MGM revived the Stargate franchise with the release of the digital-exclusive series Stargate Origins, distributed via the Stargate Command streaming platform launched that same year. By August 2018, United Artists Digital Studios was established to produce digital content; however, this streaming service ceased operations in December 2019 after attracting only about 75,000 subscribers.

Mark Burnett was elevated to chairman in June 2018 alongside a contract extension through 2022. Toward the end of 2019, MGM secured multiple first-look agreements with production companies including 42, The Big Picture Co., Weed Road Pictures, and Escape Artists.

In April 2019, MGM broadened its television divisions by launching MGM Global Formats and Unscripted Content under Scot Cru and Patrice Choghi to develop international formats. That same year saw the formation of MGM International TV focused on projects featuring Latinx talent; its inaugural project was Tacowood, a comedy starring Paz Vega announced in early 2020.

Orion Television was established by 2020 under Barry Poznick to enhance scripted content development while collaborating with Brat TV on young adult programming. In February that year, Steve Stark was appointed president of the newly created MGM/UA Television division charged with overseeing scripted production and development.

In October 2021, Tresor entered into a first-look deal with MGM Television for global formats as part of efforts to further expand MGM’s international business footprint.

Podcast collaboration with Audio Up

In 2020, MGM Television made a strategic investment in the podcast production company Audio Up, establishing an agreement for Audio Up to create and distribute five podcasts each year on behalf of MGM. This partnership aimed to broaden MGM's digital footprint and diversify its content offerings.

Divisions

MGM Domestic Television Distribution LLC
MGM On Demand Inc.
- Impact (a joint enterprise with Comcast)
- MGM Sci-Fi channel (available since January 2020 on Roku)
MGM Global Formats and Unscripted Content (established 2019) – division focused on international formats
MGM/UA Television
MGM Television (Europe) Limited
MGM UK TV Productions LLC
MGM UK Alternative TV Productions Ltd.
MGM International Television Productions LLC
MGM International Television Productions (Germany) GmbH

MGM Networks

MGM Television manages three main channels:

MGM+: a group of multiplex cable channels, fully owned as of 2023
Impact: a video-on-demand channel co-owned with Comcast
ScreenPix: a spin-off channel from MGM+ launched in 2019

Other initiatives include Light TV, a subchannel launched in late 2016 through a collaboration with Burnett, Downey, and Hearst. Past network ventures include the MGM Family Network from 1973 and the MGM/UA Premiere Network from 1984. The Works subchannel was discontinued in early 2017 as its affiliates shifted to Charge!.

In January 2020, Roku debuted the MGM Sci-Fi channel.

In October 2020, Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group purchased This TV and Light TV from MGM, reflecting MGM’s strategic focus on core properties.

Following Amazon’s acquisition of MGM, the MGM HD channel was discontinued on October 31, 2022; its programming assets were integrated into Epix, which was rebranded as MGM+ in early 2023.

Impact

Launched in August 2008, Impact is an action-oriented video on demand channel created through a collaboration between Comcast and MGM Television, designed to serve audiences interested in action films and television series. At Impact’s inception, Comcast owned a 20% share of MGM. MGM aimed to broaden Impact's reach beyond Comcast platforms by utilizing its extensive content library to capture a larger share of the VOD market. Impact serves as a complement to MGM’s existing broadcast ventures such as the digital subchannel network This TV (in partnership with Weigel Broadcasting) and the cable outlet MGM HD. Plans were announced to extend streaming access through Impact’s website in 2009.

Programming

Impact’s schedule features selections from MGM’s archive of roughly 1,000 action titles, presenting between 20 and 30 movies each month, including some available in HD. The programming is organized into categories like thrillers, crime dramas, war films, martial arts, westerns, and spy stories. Most content is ad-supported and sourced from the post-DVD pay-TV window. Prominent franchises featured include James Bond, Rocky, and Robocop. Early lineups included titles such as The Terminator, Enter the Ninja, and Windtalkers, with intentions to add films like The Magnificent Seven, American Ninja 2, Bulletproof Monk, Into the Blue, and Roadhouse. This curated content strategy aligns with MGM’s broader objective to capitalize on its content holdings for revenue enhancement within the competitive VOD landscape.

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