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Ziv Television Programs

From Alfawiki
Ziv Television Programs, Inc.
Company typePrivate
IndustryTelevision production and syndication
Founded1948
FounderFrederick Ziv
Defunct1962
FateAcquired by United Artists and merged to form Ziv-United Artists; brand reverted to United Artists Television
Headquarters
Hollywood, California
,
United States
ProductsTelevision programs (first-run syndication)
ParentUnited Artists (from 1960)

Ziv Television Programs, Inc. was a U.S.-based production company that focused on first-run television syndication throughout the 1950s.

History

Established in 1948 by Frederick Ziv as an offshoot of his thriving radio syndication enterprise, which began in 1937, Ziv created pre-recorded shows sold directly to individual TV stations. This syndication approach became highly profitable in the late 1940s and early 1950s, meeting the demand from local broadcasters for programming outside of "prime time." By 1955, Ziv was producing more than 250 half-hour television episodes each year.

In late 1954, Ziv expanded its reach internationally by launching four subsidiaries across Europe. The company's initial European transaction involved Mr. District Attorney, which was purchased by Radio Diffusion Francaise, with French dubbing managed by Ziv International of France. By February 1955, anticipating financial setbacks during this expansion phase, Ziv raised its international budget to $2 million.

To accommodate increased production needs, Ziv acquired a controlling 92% stake in American National Studios located in Hollywood in December 1954 for upwards of $2 million. This six-acre property effectively doubled the studio space previously available to the company.

Nevertheless, as major networks began offering programming beyond prime time hours, the market for first-run syndicated shows diminished. In response, Ziv shifted towards creating programs for network broadcast starting in 1956. The company was acquired by United Artists in 1960 and merged with their television division to form Ziv-United Artists. By 1962, after winding down Ziv's operations, the brand reverted to United Artists Television. Around this period, the combined entity transitioned from producing its own content to providing support for independent television producers.

Today, most of the rights to Ziv's television catalog are held by MGM Television and SFM Entertainment, with certain titles having entered the public domain.

It is important to note that ZIV International, a different organization active during the 1970s and 1980s known for distributing Americanized anime, has no connection to this company despite the similarity in names.

Selected list of shows produced or distributed


External links

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