Multimedia Entertainment
Encyclopedia
Multimedia Entertainment (formerly Avco Embassy Television) was an American
television production/distribution company originally formed in 1968.
-based Avco Corporation. The company was originally responsible for television distribution of the Embassy Pictures
film library. In addition, Avco Embassy Television concentrated on its own in-house productions. One of its first programs was The Phil Donahue Show
in 1970.
In 1976 Multimedia Inc., a Greenville, South Carolina
-based newspaper publisher and broadcaster, purchased the production and syndication rights to The Phil Donahue Show from Avco, which was breaking up its media interests. Multimedia also acquired WLWT
in Cincinnati, Avco's flagship station, and initially based its syndication division there.
For the next two decades Multimedia Entertainment specialized in audience-participation daytime talk shows
with Donahue as its flagship program. The company later used Multimedia's St. Louis
station KSDK
as launching pad for The Sally Jessy Raphael Show in 1983, and WLWT as the original base for The Jerry Springer Show
in 1991. Multimedia Entertainment also created short-lived TV vehicles for conservative talk radio hosts Rush Limbaugh
and Dennis Prager
. During this period, Bob Turner
, New York Congressman
, served as the company's CEO.http://www.cityhallnews.com/2011/08/bob-turner-jerry-springer-and-the-cowboy-outfit/http://www.cityhallnews.com/2011/08/bob-turner-jerry-springer-and-the-cowboy-outfit/
Multimedia Entertainment was included in the sale of Multimedia to the Gannett Company
in 1995. Gannett then sold its production/syndication arm to Universal Television
in 1996 and a year later it was folded into Universal Television Enterprises in February. In 1998, Universal Television includig the USA Networks were sold to Barry Diller
and became part of Studios USA.
Gannett maintains the rights to the Multimedia Entertainment name and uses it for the copyrights to some of its local television newscasts.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television production/distribution company originally formed in 1968.
History
The firm was launched as Avco Embassy Television in 1968 as a television production/distribution company owned by the CincinnatiCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
-based Avco Corporation. The company was originally responsible for television distribution of the Embassy Pictures
Embassy Pictures
Embassy Pictures Corporation was an independent studio and distributor responsible for such films as The Graduate, The Lion in Winter, This Is Spinal Tap and Escape from New York.-Founding:The company was founded in 1942 by producer Joseph E...
film library. In addition, Avco Embassy Television concentrated on its own in-house productions. One of its first programs was The Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show, also known as Donahue, is an American television talk show that ran for 26 years on national television. Its run was preceded by three years of local broadcast in Dayton, Ohio, and it was broadcast nationwide between 1967 and 1996.In 2002, Donahue was ranked #29 on TV Guide's...
in 1970.
In 1976 Multimedia Inc., a Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
-based newspaper publisher and broadcaster, purchased the production and syndication rights to The Phil Donahue Show from Avco, which was breaking up its media interests. Multimedia also acquired WLWT
WLWT
WLWT, virtual channel 5 , is an NBC-affiliated television station in Cincinnati, Ohio, the station is owned by Hearst Television...
in Cincinnati, Avco's flagship station, and initially based its syndication division there.
For the next two decades Multimedia Entertainment specialized in audience-participation daytime talk shows
Tabloid talk show
Tabloid talk shows are a genre of American television programming talk shows that achieved peak viewership during the late 20th century. Airing mostly during the day and distributed mostly through broadcast syndication, this genre originated with The Phil Donahue Show and was popularized by the...
with Donahue as its flagship program. The company later used Multimedia's St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
station KSDK
KSDK
KSDK, Channel 5, is the NBC-affiliated television station in St. Louis, Missouri. KSDK is owned and operated by Gannett Company, and the station's transmitter is located in Marlborough, Missouri. The station broadcasts a digital signal on UHF channel 35, using its former analog channel assignment...
as launching pad for The Sally Jessy Raphael Show in 1983, and WLWT as the original base for The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show is a syndicated television tabloid talk show hosted by Jerry Springer, a former politician, broadcast in the United States and other countries...
in 1991. Multimedia Entertainment also created short-lived TV vehicles for conservative talk radio hosts Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
and Dennis Prager
Dennis Prager
Dennis Prager is an American syndicated radio talk show host, syndicated columnist, author, and public speaker. He is noted for his conservative political and social views emanating from conservative Judeo-Christian values. He holds that there is an "American Trinity" of essential principles,...
. During this period, Bob Turner
Bob Turner (politician)
Robert L. "Bob" Turner is the United States Representative for New York's 9th congressional district which straddles parts of Brooklyn and Queens. He is a member of the Republican Party, holding his first public office. He was elected in September 2011 to complete the term of Democrat Anthony...
, New York Congressman
New York's 9th congressional district
New York's 9th Congressional District is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in New York City. It includes parts of southern Brooklyn and south central Queens...
, served as the company's CEO.http://www.cityhallnews.com/2011/08/bob-turner-jerry-springer-and-the-cowboy-outfit/http://www.cityhallnews.com/2011/08/bob-turner-jerry-springer-and-the-cowboy-outfit/
Multimedia Entertainment was included in the sale of Multimedia to the Gannett Company
Gannett Company
Gannett Company, Inc. is a publicly-traded media holding company headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, United States, near McLean. It is the largest U.S. newspaper publisher as measured by total daily circulation. Its assets include the national newspaper USA Today and the weekly USA Weekend...
in 1995. Gannett then sold its production/syndication arm to Universal Television
Universal Television
Universal Television is the television production arm of the NBCUniversal Television Group, and by extension, the NBC television network...
in 1996 and a year later it was folded into Universal Television Enterprises in February. In 1998, Universal Television includig the USA Networks were sold to Barry Diller
Barry Diller
Barry Charles Diller is the Chairman and Senior Executive of IAC/InterActiveCorp and the media executive responsible for the creation of Fox Broadcasting Company and USA Broadcasting.-Early life:...
and became part of Studios USA.
Gannett maintains the rights to the Multimedia Entertainment name and uses it for the copyrights to some of its local television newscasts.
Syndicated programs
This is a listing of programs which were either produced or distributed by Multimedia Entertainment:- The Phil Donahue Show / DonahueThe Phil Donahue ShowThe Phil Donahue Show, also known as Donahue, is an American television talk show that ran for 26 years on national television. Its run was preceded by three years of local broadcast in Dayton, Ohio, and it was broadcast nationwide between 1967 and 1996.In 2002, Donahue was ranked #29 on TV Guide's...
(1970–1996) - Rush Limbaugh: The Television ShowRush LimbaughRush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
(1992–1996) - The Dennis Prager ShowDennis PragerDennis Prager is an American syndicated radio talk show host, syndicated columnist, author, and public speaker. He is noted for his conservative political and social views emanating from conservative Judeo-Christian values. He holds that there is an "American Trinity" of essential principles,...
(1994–1995) - The Sally Jessy Raphael Show / Sally (1983–1997)
- The Jerry Springer ShowThe Jerry Springer ShowThe Jerry Springer Show is a syndicated television tabloid talk show hosted by Jerry Springer, a former politician, broadcast in the United States and other countries...
(1991–1997) - SweetheartsSweethearts (US game show)Sweethearts was an American television game show based on the British series of the same name which aired from September 12, 1988 to September 8, 1989. The show was syndicated throughout the United States by Multimedia Entertainment....
(1988–1989) - The $100,000 PyramidPyramid (game show)Pyramid is an American television game show which has aired several versions. The original series, The $10,000 Pyramid, debuted March 26, 1973 and spawned seven subsequent Pyramid series...
(1991, season 2) - Young People's Specials (1984–1985)
See also
- AvcoAvcoAvco Corporation is a subsidiary of Textron which operates Textron Systems Corporation and Lycoming.-Brief history:The Embry-Riddle Company created the Aviation Corporation in 1928 as a holding company tasked with acquiring small airlines...
- Crosley Broadcasting CorporationCrosley Broadcasting CorporationThe Crosley Broadcasting Corporation was a radio and television broadcaster founded by radio manufacturing pioneer Powel Crosley, Jr.. The company was an early operator of radio stations in the United States. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Crosley's flagship station was WLW...
(later Avco Broadcasting Corporation) - Avco RecordsAvco RecordsAvco Records was a record label started in 1968 by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore and Joseph E. Levine as Avco Embassy Records. In the late 1960s, they released a psychedelic rock album by the group Bead Game, titled Welcome. The Embassy name was dropped in 1971 making the label Avco Records...