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The Carsey-Werner Company

From Alfawiki
The Carsey-Werner Company, LLC
FormerlyCarsey Productions (1981)
Company typePrivate
IndustryFilm production
Television production
FoundedMarch 15, 1981; 45 years ago (1981-03-15)
FoundersMarcy Carsey
Tom Werner
HeadquartersEncino, California, United States
Websitewww.carseywerner.com

The Carsey-Werner Company operates as an independent television production firm established in 1981 by former ABC executives Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner, the latter also recognized for his ownership roles with the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool F.C.. Caryn Mandabach joined as a partner in 2001 but departed in 2004 to focus on her own projects.

After leaving ABC in 1980, Carsey launched Carsey Productions, which Werner later joined to create the current entity. Initially, the company depended on syndication partners such as Viacom and Paramount Domestic Television for distributing its content. However, by the early 1990s, Carsey-Werner developed its own distribution division and reacquired key show rights from Viacom in 1994. The company broadened its scope into feature films in 2002 through a collaboration with Paramount Pictures. Additionally, it was a founding partner of the Oxygen network prior to its acquisition by NBCUniversal in 2007.

In 2004, Carsey and Werner explored selling the studio and its valuable programming library, attracting interest from major players like Viacom and Time Warner, but ultimately chose to maintain independence. By 2005, Carsey sold her share of the production unit to Mosaic Media Group (linked to Warner Bros. Television), while Werner assumed full ownership of the remaining operations in 2007, rebranding them as Werner Entertainment. In 2019, Werner merged with Sara Gilbert’s Gilbert TV to form Sara+Tom following the success of The Conners. The distribution division continues to operate under the Carsey-Werner name.

Recently, Carsey-Werner has concentrated on distributing its classic television properties, with notable recent productions including the 2018 revival of Roseanne and its spin-off series The Conners. In 2021, Werner collaborated with Fox Corporation to relaunch You Bet Your Life, a format briefly revived by Carsey-Werner in the early 1990s.

Stuart Glickman: CEO

Stuart Glickman became CEO of Carsey-Werner in 1987, bringing extensive legal and business expertise from his previous positions at American International Pictures and CBS Television. With fifteen years as an entertainment attorney advising prominent clients including Carsey-Werner, he guided the company's growth into a multifaceted global entertainment organization with diverse income sources. Glickman founded the company's distribution division, reacquired its program library from Paramount/Viacom, and negotiated pioneering syndication agreements. He also launched Carsey-Werner Moving Pictures to enter feature film production. Industry insiders credited him with transforming Carsey-Werner into a "small powerhouse."

The year 2000 presented mixed outcomes: their animated series God, the Devil and Bob was canceled early due to poor ratings, yet they secured a production agreement with Steve Martin. In June of that year, Glickman announced his resignation after thirteen years to pursue new business ventures and investments, leaving the company well-positioned with returning successes like That '70s Show and 3rd Rock from the Sun, along with a new comedy titled Don't Ask. He pledged support during the transition period to find his successor.

Series

Specials

  • Callahan (1982)
  • Single Bars, Single Women (1984)
  • Carol, Whoopi, Carl & Robin (1987)
  • The Cosby Outtakes Show (1990)
  • The Brett Butler Special (1993)

Stephen J. Cannell Library

On January 24, 2006, Carsey-Werner obtained distribution rights to the library of Stephen J. Cannell, which had been previously held by 20th Century Fox Television, following News Corporation’s acquisition of New World Communications in 1997. Cannell regained ownership of these rights in 1998. This collection features titles such as 21 Jump Street, The Greatest American Hero, and Silk Stalkings. In March 2020, the Cannell catalog was acquired by Shout! Factory.

DVD Distribution

In 2004, Carsey-Werner granted licenses for DVD distribution of several of its series to 20th Century Fox, Anchor Bay Entertainment, and Urban Works, marking the first home video releases since a limited edition of The Cosby Show was issued via Columbia House.

After fans expressed dissatisfaction with edited episodes of both The Cosby Show and Roseanne during 2005 and 2006, Carsey-Werner responded by issuing uncut versions starting with the second season. This followed heightened public scrutiny following discussions on Larry King Live, featuring actors John Goodman and Roseanne Barr.

In 2006, the company collaborated with Magna Entertainment to distribute these DVDs in Australia. Later, on May 4, 2011, Mill Creek Entertainment secured the rights to reissue titles including 3rd Rock from the Sun, Grounded for Life, Roseanne, and That '70s Show for Region 1.

As of 2011, Carsey-Werner’s DVD releases encompass:

  • 3rd Rock from the Sun: Anchor Bay Entertainment and Mill Creek Entertainment for Region 1; Network for Region 2; Beyond Home Entertainment for Region 4
  • A Different World: Urban Works released Season 1 only in Region 1
  • Cybill: First Look Studios issued a best-of collection in Region 1; Anchor Bay Entertainment handled Region 2; Beyond Home Entertainment covered Region 4
  • The Cosby Show: Distributed by Urban Works/First Look Studios in Region 1; Universal Playback in Region 2; Magna Entertainment in Region 4
  • God, the Devil and Bob: Released by 20th Century Fox in Region 1
  • Grounded for Life: Anchor Bay Entertainment in Region 1; Brightspark released Season 1 only in Region 2; Visual Entertainment managed Region 4
  • Roseanne: Available through Anchor Bay Entertainment and Mill Creek Entertainment in Region 1; Magna Entertainment handled Region 4 distribution
  • That '70s Show: Distributed by both 20th Century Fox and Mill Creek Entertainment across Regions 1, 2, and 4

Internet

Starting in February 2011, Carsey-Werner made several of its series accessible on Netflix's Watch Instantly platform, including titles such as Roseanne, That '70s Show, The Cosby Show, and 3rd Rock from the Sun. By February 2012, Roseanne, The Cosby Show, and 3rd Rock from the Sun were removed from the service; however, portions of Roseanne along with the entire run of 3rd Rock from the Sun were subsequently restored. On September 7, 2020, That '70s Show was taken down following the conclusion of its distribution agreement.

Controversy

In 2017, Carsey-Werner initiated legal action against the BBC for copyright violation concerning the inclusion of audiovisual segments from The Cosby Show in the documentary titled Bill Cosby – Fall of an American Icon, which was broadcast on June 5, 2017.

Remasters

In March 2013, Carsey-Werner revealed intentions to remaster six classic sitcoms—namely That '70s Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Roseanne, Grounded for Life, A Different World, and The Cosby Show—in a 16:9 high-definition format to boost their commercial attractiveness.

Films

Carsey-Werner ventured into motion picture production with its inaugural release in November 2006, a comedy entitled Let's Go to Prison, distributed by Universal Studios. This debut was succeeded by the 2007 film The Brothers Solomon, produced in association with Revolution Studios and TriStar Pictures, and later by the 2008 release Smother, distributed through Variance Films and Screen Media.

  • Let's Go to Prison (2006, Universal Pictures)
  • The Brothers Solomon (2007, Revolution Studios/TriStar Pictures)
  • Smother (2008, Variance Films/Screen Media)
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