Paramount Domestic Television
Encyclopedia
Paramount Domestic Television (PDT) was the television
distribution arm of American
television production company Paramount Television
, once the TV arm of Paramount Pictures
. It was formed in 1982 as Paramount Domestic Television and Video Programming, the successor to Paramount Television Domestic Distribution, Paramount Television Sales, and Desilu Sales
.
Initially, it distributed the back library of Paramount Television and the post-1960 shows by Desilu, and several first-run syndicated shows. Originally, the company (like other sister companies sharing the Paramount name) was owned by Gulf+Western
, which was reincorporated as Paramount Communications in 1989. After that company was sold to Viacom
in 1994, it absorbed the distribution functions of Viacom Enterprises
the next year. Viacom had distributed the classic CBS
library which included the pre-1960 Desilu library, alongside its own in-house productions and the Carsey-Werner Productions
library. As a result, series that had ended with Viacom closing logos now showed the Paramount mountain at the end.
In 1999, Viacom acquired several other TV production firms such as Spelling Entertainment/Republic Pictures
(which owned Spelling Television
, Worldvision Enterprises and Big Ticket Entertainment
) and Rysher Entertainment
(or at least its library). As a result, the size of Paramount's TV library more than tripled, giving PDT a slew of new series to distribute. Then the next year, PDT bought syndication rights to Spin City
, a sitcom produced by DreamWorks Television
- this was a precursor to Viacom buying parent company DreamWorks
in 2005.
After Viacom split into two companies - one called Viacom
and the other CBS Corporation
- Paramount's TV operations became part of the latter company. As a result, Paramount Domestic Television became CBS Paramount Domestic Television
. That was in turn merged with King World Productions
in 2007 to become CBS Television Distribution
(CTD). However, because National Amusements
retains majority control of both CBS and the new Viacom, CBS programs (including those under the original Paramount TV name) are still distributed under the Paramount Home Entertainment label. However, some former Paramount programs, such as Entertainment Tonight
, then moved from being produced at the Paramount lot to CBS facilities.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
distribution arm of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television production company Paramount Television
Paramount Television
Paramount Television was an American television production/distribution company that was active from January 1, 1968 to August 27, 2006.Its successor is CBS Television Studios, formerly CBS Paramount Television...
, once the TV arm of Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. It was formed in 1982 as Paramount Domestic Television and Video Programming, the successor to Paramount Television Domestic Distribution, Paramount Television Sales, and Desilu Sales
Desilu Productions
Desilu Productions was a Los Angeles, California-based company jointly owned by actors Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, who were married to each other from 1940 to 1960....
.
Initially, it distributed the back library of Paramount Television and the post-1960 shows by Desilu, and several first-run syndicated shows. Originally, the company (like other sister companies sharing the Paramount name) was owned by Gulf+Western
Gulf+Western
Gulf and Western Industries, Inc., for a number of years known as Gulf+Western, was an American conglomerate.- History :Gulf and Western's prosaic origins date to a manufacturer named Michigan Bumper Co. founded in 1934, though Charles Bluhdorn treated his 1958 takeover of what was then Michigan...
, which was reincorporated as Paramount Communications in 1989. After that company was sold to Viacom
Viacom (1971–2005)
Viacom , stylized as VIACOM in its current logo, was an American media conglomerate. It was the owner of CBS, Nickelodeon & MTV, among others. Effective December 31, 2005, this corporate entity changed its name to CBS Corporation...
in 1994, it absorbed the distribution functions of Viacom Enterprises
Viacom Enterprises
Viacom Enterprises was a television distribution company formed in 1971 as the successor to CBS Enterprises, and spun off in 1973 due to now-repealed FCC bylaws prohibiting networks from syndicating their own shows....
the next year. Viacom had distributed the classic CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
library which included the pre-1960 Desilu library, alongside its own in-house productions and the Carsey-Werner Productions
Carsey-Werner Productions
Carsey-Werner Productions is an independent production company founded in 1981 by former ABC writer/producer duo Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner...
library. As a result, series that had ended with Viacom closing logos now showed the Paramount mountain at the end.
In 1999, Viacom acquired several other TV production firms such as Spelling Entertainment/Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
(which owned Spelling Television
Spelling Television
Spelling Television Inc. was a television production company that produced popular shows such as Charmed, Beverly Hills, 90210, 7th Heaven, Dynasty and Melrose Place. The company was founded by television producer Aaron Spelling in 1969...
, Worldvision Enterprises and Big Ticket Entertainment
Big Ticket Entertainment
Big Ticket Television, Inc. is a production company that is a unit of CBS Television Studios , a division of CBS Corporation since the split of Viacom at the end of 2005.The company was launched in 1994 under the Spelling Entertainment Group, which was acquired by Viacom Big Ticket Television,...
) and Rysher Entertainment
Rysher Entertainment
Rysher Entertainment is the owner of TV and film programming content, primarily distributed around the world by CBS Television Distribution and CBS/ Paramount Pictures...
(or at least its library). As a result, the size of Paramount's TV library more than tripled, giving PDT a slew of new series to distribute. Then the next year, PDT bought syndication rights to Spin City
Spin City
Spin City is an American sitcom television series that aired from September 17, 1996 until April 30, 2002 on the ABC network. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, the show was based on a fictional local government running New York City, and originally starred Michael J. Fox as Mike...
, a sitcom produced by DreamWorks Television
DreamWorks Television
DreamWorks Television is a television distribution and production company that is a division of DreamWorks SKG, a former subsidiary of Viacom-owned Paramount Pictures. The syndication rights to DreamWorks' live-action TV series were held by CBS Television Distribution until fall 2008, the successor...
- this was a precursor to Viacom buying parent company DreamWorks
DreamWorks
DreamWorks Pictures, also known as DreamWorks, LLC, DreamWorks SKG, DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC, DreamWorks Studios or DW Studios, LLC, is an American film studio which develops, produces, and distributes films, video games and television programming...
in 2005.
After Viacom split into two companies - one called Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
and the other CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
- Paramount's TV operations became part of the latter company. As a result, Paramount Domestic Television became CBS Paramount Domestic Television
CBS Paramount Domestic Television
CBS Paramount Domestic Television was an American television distribution company/production that was formed on January 17, 2006 and owned by CBS Corporation...
. That was in turn merged with King World Productions
King World Productions
King World Productions, Inc. was a production company and a syndicator of television programming in the United States until its eventual 2007 incorporation into CBS Television Distribution...
in 2007 to become CBS Television Distribution
CBS Television Distribution
CBS Television Distribution is a global television distribution company, formed from the merger of CBS Corporation's two domestic television distribution arms CBS Paramount Domestic Television and King World Productions, including its home entertainment arm CBS Home Entertainment...
(CTD). However, because National Amusements
National Amusements
National Amusements, Inc. is a privately owned theatre company based in Dedham, Massachusetts, USA. The company was founded in 1936 as the Northeast Theatre Corporation by Michael Redstone....
retains majority control of both CBS and the new Viacom, CBS programs (including those under the original Paramount TV name) are still distributed under the Paramount Home Entertainment label. However, some former Paramount programs, such as Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
, then moved from being produced at the Paramount lot to CBS facilities.