Paramount Domestic Television
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television syndication and distribution |
| Predecessor | Paramount Television Domestic Distribution, Desilu Sales |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 2006 |
| Fate | Rebranded as CBS Paramount Domestic Television in 2006; merged into CBS Television Distribution in 2007 |
| Successor | CBS Paramount Domestic Television, then CBS Television Distribution |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Television syndication and distribution of first-run syndicated shows, off-network series, talk shows, infotainment, courtroom shows, scripted series, reality TV, game shows, music programs |
| Owner | Gulf and Western Industries (until 1989), then Paramount Communications, then Viacom (from 1994), then CBS Corporation (from 2005) |
| Parent | Paramount Television (Paramount Pictures segment) |
Paramount Domestic Television (PDT) served as the distribution division for Paramount Television, which was a segment of Paramount Pictures. Established in 1982 under the name Paramount Domestic Television and Video Programming, it took over from Paramount Television Domestic Distribution and Desilu Sales. In 2006, it was rebranded as CBS Paramount Domestic Television.
History
At its inception, PDT managed the distribution of Paramount Television’s archival content and post-1960 Desilu productions, along with first-run syndicated shows. Initially under the ownership of Gulf and Western Industries, the division became part of Paramount Communications in 1989.
In 1987, PDT collaborated with Tribune Entertainment to distribute programs such as Geraldo and later The Joan Rivers Show. That same year marked PDT’s entry into late-night television with the launch of The Arsenio Hall Show. By 1990, Tribune had assumed independent responsibility for sales. Additionally, PDT secured an exclusive agreement with Maury Povich, producing his talk show from 1991 until 1998.
Following Viacom’s acquisition of Paramount in 1994, PDT incorporated the distribution duties of Viacom Enterprises, which included the CBS pre-1960 Desilu catalog and series produced by Viacom Productions. However, when Carsey-Werner established its own distribution company, PDT lost rights to that library. Although PDT obtained syndication rights to MTV Networks’ content, it seldom distributed these widely; after canceling The Arsenio Hall Show, PDT produced MTV’s The Jon Stewart Show for syndication.
In 1987, PDT co-established International Advertising Sales alongside Coca-Cola Telecommunications and Orbis Communications to manage advertising sales for their programming. Two years later, in 1989, PDT joined forces with MCA Television to create Premier Advertiser Sales for combined advertising efforts, which eventually led to plans for the Premier Program Service network.
The acquisitions by Viacom in 1999 of Spelling Entertainment Group and Rysher Entertainment greatly expanded PDT’s program library, adding well-known series such as Judge Judy and Judge Joe Brown. In 2002, PDT entered into a partnership with HDNet to distribute high-definition television content.
After Viacom’s division in 2005, Paramount’s television operations were transferred to CBS Corporation and PDT was renamed CBS Paramount Domestic Television. In 2007, it merged with King World Productions to form CBS Television Distribution (CTD). Despite these corporate restructurings, National Amusements retained control, ensuring ongoing distribution of CBS and former Paramount shows through Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS Home Entertainment. Certain programs like Entertainment Tonight shifted production from Paramount facilities to those of CBS.
Currently, syndication rights for Paramount’s theatrical film catalog are held by Trifecta Entertainment & Media.
Off-network shows
- America (1985–86) (co-produced with Post-Newsweek Television)
- The Party Machine (1991) (co-produced by Peeples Productions and Arsenio Hall Communications)
- The Montel Williams Show (1991–2008; distribution assumed by PDT in 1994)
- The Maury Povich Show (1991–2022; distributed by PDT from 1991 to 1998; currently owned by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios)
- Leeza (1994–2000; aired on NBC via Paramount Network Television)
- The Jon Stewart Show (1994–95; originally aired on MTV)
- The Howie Mandel Show (1998–99)
- Rendez-View (2001–02)
Talk Shows
- Geraldo (1987–1991, distribution only; produced by Tribune Entertainment and Investigate News Group)
- The Arsenio Hall Show (1989–1994, produced by Arsenio Hall Communications; revival from 2013 to 2014 co-produced by Tribune Broadcasting and distributed by CBS Television Distribution)
- The Joan Rivers Show (1989–1991, distribution only; production by Tribune Entertainment and PMGH Productions)
- Dr. Phil (2002–2023; initially produced by PDT from 2002 to 2006, later by Harpo Productions; distributed by King World Productions between 2002 and 2007)
Infotainment
- Entertainment Tonight (1981–present; distribution managed by PDT from 1981 to 2006)
- Hard Copy (1989–1999)
- The Insider (2004–2017; distributed by PDT during 2004–2006)
Courtroom Shows
- Judge Judy (1996–2021; distribution handled by PDT from 1999 to 2006; co-produced with Big Ticket Entertainment)
- Judge Mills Lane (1998–2001; distributed by PDT between 1999 and 2001)
- Judge Joe Brown (1998–2013; distribution by PDT from 1999 to 2006; co-produced with Big Ticket Entertainment)
Scripted Comedy/Drama
- Madame's Place (1982–1983)
- Webster (1983–1989; aired on ABC)
- Marblehead Manor (1987–1988)
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)
- Friday the 13th: The Series (1987–1990)
- War of the Worlds (1988–1990)
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999)
- Viper (initially in 1994, then from 1996 to 1999; aired on NBC)
Reality Television
- America's Dumbest Criminals (1996–2000; distributed by PDT during 1999–2000)
- Sightings (1992–1997; broadcast on Fox and Sci-Fi Channel)
- Real TV (1996–2001)
- Maximum Exposure (2000–2002)
- Life Moments (2002–2003)
- TAG:I: Real Heroes (1999–2002)
- America's Diaries mini-series (2002); distribution by PDT in collaboration with True Entertainment and Bunim/Murray Productions
- The Princess Girl Diaries mini-series (2003); distributed by PDT alongside Banyan Productions
- Unexplained Mysteries (2003–2004)
- Girl was loving (November-December 2005); produced by Bunim-Murray Productions and distributed through PDT
Game Shows
- Make Me Laugh (1979–1980)
- Anything for Money (1984–1985)
- Wipeout (1988–1989)
- The New Price Is Right (1994–1995)
- Dance 360 (2004–2005)
Music Programs
- Solid Gold (1980–1988)