Paramount Television
| Formerly | Paramount Television Corporation (1966–1989) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Division |
| Industry | Television production |
| Predecessors | |
| Founded | December 15, 1966 |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Fate | Rebranded as CBS Paramount Television |
| Successors | |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Parent |
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| Divisions |
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| Subsidiaries |
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The initial version of Paramount Television functioned as the television production branch of the American film company Paramount Pictures until its rebranding to CBS Paramount Television on January 17, 2006.
Desilu Productions
Desilu Productions, established by business pioneers Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, was a prominent independent TV production company recognized for popular series such as I Love Lucy, Star Trek, and The Untouchables. By 1962, following MCA's acquisition of Universal Pictures, Desilu had become the leading independent producer. After Ball purchased Arnaz’s shares in 1962, she steered the company toward profitability. In 1967, she sold Desilu to Gulf+Western for $17 million, which merged it into Paramount Pictures’ television division and rebranded it as Paramount Television.
Paramount's early involvement in television
In the late 1940s, Paramount Pictures sought to create its own television network through the Paramount Television Network. The company developed stations such as KTLA in Los Angeles and WBBM-TV in Chicago and invested $400,000 in the DuMont Television Network, which operated key outlets including WABD (currently WNYW) in New York City. Ongoing conflicts between Paramount and DuMont concerning contracts, control rights, and competition culminated in DuMont's eventual collapse. Television historian Timothy White characterized this struggle as a pivotal chapter in the early development of the TV industry.
Paramount’s network lineup included shows like the Emmy-awarded children's program Time for Beany, which was broadcast through a loosely connected group of stations nationwide. Although by 1950 Paramount had affiliation agreements with over 50 stations, most programming attracted limited audiences outside the West Coast. The company faced an antitrust lawsuit from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which prohibited further station acquisitions. As a result, Paramount abandoned its network ambitions and concentrated on producing content for existing networks.
During the mid-1950s, under the Paramount Television label, the studio produced Sally, a brief NBC series featuring Joan Caulfield. Additionally, after Plitt Theatres took control of the ABC, it sold WBKB-TV (now known as WBBM-TV) to CBS due to regulatory requirements.
Paramount Pictures Television also developed pilots such as Destination Space in 1959; however, these projects did not proceed to full series production.
The 1960s
By 1966, Paramount was on the brink of financial collapse and was subsequently purchased by Gulf+Western. At this point, Paramount had largely withdrawn from the television sector—ceasing early program production, shutting down networks, and divesting its owned stations. The studio sold much of its theatrical library from the sound era before 1950 to various entities including EMKA, Ltd. (a subsidiary of MCA, now part of Universal Television), U.M. & M. TV Corporation (which held short subjects produced before October 1950; currently owned by Paramount through Melange Pictures), Associated Artists Productions (notably the Popeye the Sailor cartoons; presently under Warner Bros. via Turner Entertainment), Harvey Films (covering shorts from 1950 to 1962; now owned by Universal through DreamWorks Animation), and National Comics Publications (the Superman cartoons; currently part of Warner Bros. via DC Entertainment).
Formation and Desilu merger
On December 15, 1966, John T. Reynolds, then president of CBS, resigned to take on the role of president for Paramount Pictures' newly created Paramount Television division. In 1967, Paramount Television Enterprises began distributing a collection of 60 Paramount feature films for syndication.
That same year, Gulf+Western, under Charles Bluhdorn's leadership, acquired Desilu and integrated it into Paramount Television, which then took over production responsibilities for Desilu’s programming. This acquisition included the original RKO Studios along with two Culver City properties; however, due to antitrust concerns raised by the Justice Department, Culver Studios had to be sold to prevent monopolistic control. The distinctive RKO globe remains displayed on the Paramount lot.
The first show produced following this restructuring was Here's Lucy, although Paramount only managed production for its initial season before divesting its ownership interest. During the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Paramount forged strong relationships with ABC, producing successful series such as The Brady Bunch and The Odd Couple, which significantly expanded its share in television content production.
In the early 1970s, prominent executives Douglas S. Cramer and Thomas Miller left to launch their own production companies while maintaining development agreements with Paramount. Miller’s company notably created Happy Days, which became one of Paramount’s most lucrative franchises. Gary Nardino assumed the role of studio president in 1977 and guided ongoing expansion efforts.
Gulf+Western had intentions to initiate the Paramount Television Service network in the late 1970s, centered around a new Star Trek series; however, these plans were ultimately abandoned. Instead, Star Trek: Phase II was transformed into Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
In 1979, Terry Keegan co-founded The Fellows/Keegan Company, which remained affiliated with Paramount until 1983. Gary Nardino departed in 1983 to establish Gary Nardino Productions, continuing a six-year collaborative partnership with Paramount.
Leonard Goldberg joined Paramount in 1984 through a production deal with Mandy Films. In 1986, Eddie Murphy founded Eddie Murphy Television Enterprises under an agreement with Paramount Television, capitalizing on his cinematic success to venture into television projects. By 1988, Murphy secured a contract with CBS to further develop television initiatives.
This era was characterized by strategic leadership shifts and expansion within Paramount Television’s operations through acquisitions, executive-led ventures, and collaborative agreements that strengthened its market position and broadened its portfolio of offerings.
Changes in Ownership and Growth of the Library
In 1989, Gulf+Western underwent re-incorporation and was renamed Paramount Communications, highlighting its principal asset, Paramount Pictures. The company was acquired by Viacom in 1994. In 1990, Paramount secured a multi-year exclusive production agreement with Arsenio Hall, extending his talk show through to 1994.
By 1992, Paramount had inked contracts with notable writers and producers such as Don Johnson and Barry Fanaro, while also bringing Donald P. Bellisario onboard following his 12-year association with Universal Television. The merger with Viacom expanded Paramount’s television catalog by merging Viacom Enterprises into Paramount Domestic Television and Viacom Productions into Paramount Television.
Under Paramount’s umbrella, Viacom Productions achieved its first major success with Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996–2003), which aired on both ABC and The WB, representing a significant accomplishment during a difficult era for network programming.
In 1995, Paramount entered into a three-year program agreement with Procter & Gamble and established a first-look deal with NBC for projects arising from this partnership. It also collaborated with Fox Broadcasting Company and Television Production Partners to bolster advertising efforts and project support.
The year 1994 saw Paramount Television Group join forces with MTV Productions for project development, acquiring first refusal rights on MTV-originated content. This collaboration led to series such as NBC's Jenny, UPN's Hitz, and WB's Three during the 1997–98 season; however, none continued beyond their initial run.
In 1996, producer Barry Kemp signed a multi-year overall deal with Paramount through Bungalow 78 Productions, initially focusing on a CBS series that eventually transitioned to Warner Bros. Television under new leadership.
Paramount’s television portfolio expanded further in 1999 when Viacom acquired Spelling Entertainment Group—which included Spelling Television, Big Ticket Entertainment, Worldvision Enterprises, Republic Pictures—and Rysher Entertainment’s assets. That same year, Steven Bochco joined Paramount Television via a production and distribution agreement.
Big Ticket was integrated into Paramount in 2003 but remained as a nominal entity. By late 2005, Spelling Television evolved from an independent studio into a development unit within Paramount, leading to workforce reductions.
This era exemplifies strategic acquisitions and partnerships that enhanced Paramount’s market position and diversified its content offerings amid a competitive television landscape.
Establishment of UPN and Joint Ownership with CBS
Paramount launched the United Paramount Network (UPN) in January 1995; this network later merged with Time Warner’s The WB in 2006 to create The CW. Paramount Television was responsible for producing most of UPN’s programming slate, including its debut series, Star Trek: Voyager. Following Viacom’s purchase of Chris-Craft’s stake in 2000, it gained full control over UPN. Prominent Paramount-produced shows on UPN included One on One, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Girlfriends.
Viacom reacquired its original parent company CBS in 2000, broadening Paramount Television’s production output for CBS with established series like JAG, Becker, and Nash Bridges. Although many new Paramount programs on CBS struggled to gain traction, successful titles such as NCIS, Numb3rs, Criminal Minds, and Ghost Whisperer emerged—two of which were co-produced alongside Touchstone Television (later ABC Studios). These popular franchises played a vital role in boosting Paramount’s market share and revenue through continued production and spin-offs.
In 2004, the merger of Paramount Network Television with CBS Productions centralized the production of shows for CBS. Despite CBS Productions being officially dissolved, its brand name remained on older co-productions until 2006 as part of a deliberate corporate consolidation designed to improve operational efficiency.
During this timeframe, influential industry figures such as Warren Littlefield (joining in 2001) and Ed Redlich (in 2005) strengthened Paramount’s creative leadership and strategic direction within television production.
Acquisition by CBS
At the end of 2005, Viacom underwent a division, resulting in two separate companies: CBS Corporation and a new entity that continued under the Viacom name. Paramount Pictures stayed with Viacom, whereas CBS Corporation took ownership of Paramount Television along with the rights associated with the Paramount brand. On January 16, 2006, Paramount Television was renamed CBS Paramount Television. The final series produced under the Paramount banner was Courting Alex, a collaboration with Touchstone Television for CBS. Distribution responsibilities for Paramount Television's catalog differ: programs created before 2005 are managed by CBS Home Entertainment, while content produced after the corporate split is overseen by Paramount Home Entertainment.
CBS Paramount Television functioned under that name for three years before CBS initiated the gradual removal of the Paramount branding. In 2007, its U.S. distribution division merged with King World Productions, forming CBS Television Distribution. Meanwhile, the international operations merged with CBS Broadcast International in 2004, creating CBS Paramount International Television.
By 2009, CBS had completely phased out the Paramount name from its television divisions: CBS Paramount Television was rebranded as CBS Television Studios, and its international branch became known as CBS Studios International. This transition marked the conclusion of Paramount's direct participation in television production after more than seven decades since its early ventures with experimental stations such as KTLA and WBBM. Paramount had been one of the first Hollywood studios to engage significantly in television production. Following this change, Paramount Pictures collaborated with Trifecta Entertainment & Media to handle television distribution of both the Paramount and Republic film libraries.
See also
- Paramount Television Studios – The television arm of Paramount Pictures operating from 2013 until 2024.