TriStar Television

TriStar Television, Inc.

File:TriStar Television.webp Logo used from 1992 to 1999
Formerly	Tri-Star Television (1986–1988)
Company type	Division
Industry	Television production
Founded	March 1986 (1986-03) October 1991 (1991-10) May 28, 2015 (2015-05-28)
Defunct	Template:End date and age Template:End date and age May 31, 2024 (2024-05-31)
Fate	Merged with Columbia/Embassy Television Integrated into Columbia TriStar Television Absorbed by Sony Pictures Television
Headquarters	10202 West Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Parent	Tri-Star Pictures (1986–1988) Sony Pictures Entertainment (1991–1994) Columbia TriStar Television (1994–1999) Sony Pictures Television (2015–2024)

TriStar Television, Inc. (initially known as Tri-Star and abbreviated as TT) was a U.S.-based television production company operating under the umbrella of Sony Pictures Television. Founded in March 1986 by TriStar Pictures, it began as a collaborative venture involving Columbia Pictures, CBS, and HBO before being acquired by Sony. After Sony's purchase of Columbia and TriStar, the two entities combined to create Columbia TriStar Television on February 21, 1994. TriStar Television experienced two relaunches, with its latest iteration serving as a specialized label within Sony Pictures Television. It functioned concurrently with Columbia Pictures Television until the latter ceased operations in 2001.

Establishment and consolidation with Columbia/Embassy Television (1986–1988)

TriStar Television originated from a collaboration between Tri-Star Pictures and production companies Stephen J. Cannell Productions along with Witt/Thomas Productions, which also led to the formation of the distribution firm TeleVentures. Scott Siegler was named president of the studio. The company secured comprehensive agreements with prominent producers including Ron Samuels, Michael Jacobs, and Donald P. Bellisario to develop television content such as made-for-TV films.

By late 1987, Coca-Cola had acquired majority ownership of Columbia Pictures Entertainment but scaled back its shareholding in early 1988. Following this, Tri-Star Television merged with Columbia/Embassy Television under the newly restructured Columbia Pictures Television (CPT). TeleVentures continued operating independently as a sales and distribution entity managing existing Tri-Star shows under contract with CPT. Siegler maintained his role as president until his exit in 1993. Sony completed its acquisition of Columbia Pictures Entertainment in November 1989.

In 1988, Witt/Thomas withdrew from TeleVentures by selling its stake to Cannell, which enabled Walt Disney Television to assume its participation. On July 11, 1990, the joint venture between Tri-Star and Cannell was dissolved; Tri-Star divested its shares to Stephen J. Cannell Productions, which subsequently renamed the distribution division Cannell Distribution Co. The majority of series and film packages formerly managed by TeleVentures were transferred to Columbia Pictures Television Distribution.

TriStar Television's Initial Revival and Merger with Columbia TriStar Television (1991–1999)

In October 1991, TriStar Television was revived following Columbia Pictures Television's acquisition of New World Television's assets. Jon Feltheimer, who previously served as president at New World Television, was appointed to lead TriStar as its president. During 1993, the company secured Larry Hagman to develop programming for the 1993-94 television season. On February 21, 1994, a merger between TriStar Television and Columbia Pictures Television resulted in the creation of Columbia TriStar Television (CTT). By 1997, the majority of new productions and certain existing TriStar programs transitioned under the CTT banner, coinciding with Sony Television Entertainment's rebranding to Columbia TriStar Television Group.

Following the integration of TriStar's productions into CTT in 1999, series such as Early Edition continued to carry the TriStar copyright until the year 2000. The concluding season of Malcolm & Eddie was produced by CTT during a period when TriStar existed solely as a nominal entity. On October 25, 2001, Columbia TriStar Television combined with its distribution division to form Columbia TriStar Domestic Television. Subsequently, in September 2002, Sony Pictures Entertainment phased out the Columbia and TriStar brand names from its television operations, renaming the division Sony Pictures Television.

TriStar Television's Second Revival and Final Closure (2015–2024)

Sony Pictures Television relaunched TriStar Television on May 28, 2015, positioning it as a specialized production label under the leadership of Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs until her passing in 2018. The first series produced during this revival was Good Girls Revolt, which premiered as a pilot on Amazon Prime Video in November 2015.

On May 31, 2024, Sony declared the discontinuation of the TriStar Television boutique label. This decision followed the exit of key executives Nicole Norwood and Jennifer Turner and involved merging TriStar's operations into Sony Pictures Television’s drama division. Projects that were underway were absorbed by Sony Pictures Television, effectively ending TriStar’s independent presence.

Television series

Title	Years	Network	Notes
Downtown	1986–1987	CBS	Co-produced with Ron Samuels Productions
Take Five	1987		Collaboratively produced with Imagine Television and Empire City Presentations
Nothing in Common		NBC	Produced jointly with Rastar Television Adapted from the 1986 film by TriStar Pictures
Werewolf	1987–1988	Fox	Production handled by Columbia Pictures Television in 1988
My Two Dads	1987–1990	NBC	Co-produced alongside Michael Jacobs Productions From 1988 to 1990 produced by Columbia Pictures Television
Buck James	1987–1988	ABC	Joint production with Robert E. Fuisz-William F. Storke Productions Columbia Pictures Television took over production in 1988
Get a Life	1990–1992	Fox	Produced with Elliottland Productions and Mirkinvision New World Television managed production from 1990 to 1991
The Adventures of Mark & Brian	1991–1992	NBC	Co-produced with Don Mischer Productions, Frontier Pictures, and New World Television
Charlie Hoover	1991	Fox	Collaborative production with Ian Gurvitz Productions and Brillstein-Grey Entertainment
The Fifth Corner	1992	NBC	Produced jointly with Jon Herzfield Productions and Adelson-Baumgarten Productions
The Boys of Twilight		CBS	Co-production alongside Echo Cove Productions
Forever Knight	1992–1996	CBS (Season 1) First-run syndication (Season 2) USA (Season 3)	Produced with Glen Warren Entertainment, Paragon Media Corporation, and Tele München; Season 2 distributed by Columbia Pictures Television Distribution; Season 3 co-produced by USA Network
The Edge	1992–1993	Fox	In collaboration with Mirkinvision
Mad About You	1992–1999	NBC	Co-produced along with In Front Productions and Nuance Productions Produced by Sony Pictures Television in later years (2019)
Tribeca	1993	Fox	Joint production with Montana Beach Productions and TriBeCa Productions
Good Advice	1993–1994	CBS	Produced together with In Front Productions and Itzbinso Long Productions
The Nanny	1993–1999		Co-produced alongside Sternin & Fraser Ink Inc. and Highschool Sweethearts during later seasons (1995–1999)
The Mighty Jungle	1994	The Family Channel	Co-production involving Le Sabre, Goodman/Rosen Productions, and Alliance Films
TV Nation	1994–1995	NBC (season 1) Fox (season 2) BBC2	Produced collaboratively with Dog Eat Dog Films and BBC
Women of the House	1995	CBS (episodes 1–8) Lifetime (episodes 9–13)	Joint production with Bloodworth-Thomason Mozark Productions and Perseverance Inc.
Simon	1995–1996	The WB	Produced together with In Front Productions
Ned and Stacey	1995–1997	Fox	Co-production with Hanley Productions
Can't Hurry Love	1995–1996	CBS	Collaborative effort including The Producers Entertainment Group Ltd., Axelrod-Widdoes Productions, and CBS Productions
Hudson Street		ABC	Produced alongside Katie Face Productions
Dead By Sunset	1995	NBC	Miniseries created in partnership with Craig Anderson Productions
Matt Waters	1996	CBS	Co-produced with Christmas Tree Entertainment and James D. Pariott Productions
Malcolm & Eddie	1996–1999	UPN	Jointly produced with Jeff Franklin Productions; production transferred to Columbia TriStar Television during final years (1999-2000)
Moloney	1996–1997	CBS	Collaboratively produced with Predawn Productions and CBS Productions
Love and Marriage	1996	Fox	Co-production alongside Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions
Early Edition	1996–1997	CBS	Produced jointly with Three Characters, Angelica Films, and CBS Productions From 1997 to 2000 produced by Columbia TriStar Television
Life... and Stuff	1997		Co-production involving Sommers-Teitelbaum-David and Perrgood Productions
Good Girls Revolt	2015–2016	Amazon Prime Video	Produced collaboratively with Lynda Obst Productions, Annabelita Films, Farm Kid, and Amazon Studios
Shut Eye	2016–2017	Hulu	Joint production including Peg + Les and Gran Via Productions
The Last Tycoon		Amazon Prime Video	Produced together with Kippster Entertainment, City Entertainment, Brady American, Home Run, Home Run Production companies, and Amazon Studios
' 'On Becoming a God in Central Florida'''	2019	Showtime	Collaborative effort involving Smoke House Pictures, Pali Eyes Pictures, and Showtime Networks
' 'The Afterparty'	2022–2023	Apple TV+	Co-produced alongside Lord Miller Productions and Sony Pictures Television Studios
' 'Lucky Hank'''	2023	AMC	Partnership production including Afternoon Nap, Ponyboy, Gran Via, Le Foole Inc., and AMC Studios