Jump to content

Paramount Media Networks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Paramount Media Networks
Formerly
  • MTV Networks (1984–2011)
  • Viacom Media Networks (2011–2019)
  • ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks (2019–2022)
Company typeDivision
Industry
FoundedDecember 1, 1977;46 years ago(1977-12-01)(as Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment)
June 25, 1984;40 years ago(1984-06-25)(as public company)
FounderRobert Pittman
Headquarters1515 Broadway,
New York City,New York
,
U.S.
Key people
Brands
ParentParamount Global
DivisionsParamount Digital Studios
Subsidiaries
The original prototype logo for MTV Networks.
The logo for MTV Networks.
The logo for Viacom Media Networks.
The first logo for ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks.
The second logo for ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks.

Paramount Media Networks[1](founded asMTV Networksin 1984[2]and known under this name until 2011; thereafter known asViacom Media Networksuntil 2019; then known asViacomCBS Domestic Media Networksuntil 2022) is an Americanmass mediadivision ofParamount Globalthat oversees the operations of many of itstelevision channelsand online brands. Its related international division isParamount International Networks.

The division's original namesake,MTV,is managed through a subsidiary calledMTV Entertainment Group.

History[edit]

Pre-launch: Warner Communications joint venture (1977–1984)[edit]

Warner Cable Communicationswas formed on December 1, 1977, byWarner Cable,itself a division ofWarner Communications,to launchQUBE,an interactive cable television network. Seeing the potential in the creation of new cable networks, Warner Cable divested QUBE's biggest brands, Star Channel, Pinwheel and Sight on Sound, into nationwide outlets. Star Channel began by satellite in January 1979 and was renamedThe Movie Channelby the end of the year. The original Channel C-3, by then known as Pinwheel, becameNickelodeonin April 1979. As a result of these actions, Warner Cable Communications would then be rebranded asWarner-Amex Satellite Entertainment,becoming ajoint venturebetween Warner Cable andAmerican Express.

In 1980, Warner-Amex formed a joint venture withCablevision'sRainbow Mediadivision to launchBravo,a cable network dedicated to arts and films, on December 1, 1980. Full control of the channel, however, was sold to Rainbow Media in 1984;NBCwould acquire Bravo in 2003, and the channel is now currently owned byComcast'sNBCUniversal.[3]

On August 1, 1981,MTVdebuted.

In 1983, concerned by the strategic and financial failure of its pay-TV venture The Movie Channel (started to reap the benefits Time Inc. was having withHBOandCinemax), WASEC established a joint venture withViacom,merging TMC with their premium movie network Showtime to formShowtime/The Movie Channel, Inc.;WASEC, however, had no operational involvement in the joint venture.

Launch as MTV Networks, Viacom gets full ownership (1984–2011)[edit]

On June 25, 1984, Warner Communications made the decision to divest Nickelodeon, MTV, andVH-1(launched in 1985 over the channel space ofTurner'sCable Music Channel) into a new public corporation calledMTV Networks.[2][4]A year later, Warner would acquire the 50% stake from American Express.[5]

On August 27, 1985, Warner sold 31% of MTV Networks to Viacom, with Warner also selling 19% of its Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. joint to Viacom as well.[6][7]

In November 1985, Viacom announced that it had plans to buy the remaining 69% of MTV Networks from Warner for $326 million,[8]The acquisition was completed on May 20, 1986.[9]

In 1988, the company partnered with fellow Viacom subsidiaryViacom Enterprisesto handle advertising sales ofSuperboy,a syndicated television series.[10]The division was later evolved into One World Entertainment in the early 1990s, who partnered to launch aVH1syndicated series.[11]

In 2003, MTV Networks assumed full ownership ofComedy CentralfromAOL Time Warner.

On December 31, 2005, the remnants of MTV Networks and Showtime Networks were separated following Viacom's split into two entities:CBS Corporation,which retainedCBS,UPN,Simon & Schusterand Showtime Networks (Showtime,The Movie Channel, andFlix), and a spun-off company under theViacomname, which took ownership ofParamount Pictures,BET Networksand MTV Networks (Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and VH1). MTV Networks was renamedViacom Media Networksin 2011.

Expansion (2011–2019)[edit]

In the fall of 2012, media analysts began to report that ratings among some of Viacom's leading brands in the U.S. were experiencing declines in viewership.[12][13]MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon were of most concern to investors as the three account for roughly 50% of Viacom's operating profit, estimated David Bank of RBC Capital Markets.

In 2017, Viacom announced a five-point restructuring plan, in which the company would pour most of its resources behind six "flagship brands". These were MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon,Nick Jr. Channel,BET,and Paramount Pictures.[14][15][16][17]In February 2017, cable channelsCMTandTV Landwere moved from the Kids and Family Group to the Global Entertainment Group under Kevin Kay, joining up with Spike TV.[18]During the same month, it was announced that Spike would be relaunched asParamount Networkin 2018, aligning with the namesake film studio and being positioned as Viacom's main general entertainment outlet.[19][20]

In October 2018, Kevin Kay was announced to be leaving his position as head of the Entertainment Group. CMT was transferred from the Entertainment Group to the Music Group under president Chris McCarthy, with his exit. Executive Kent Alterman would take charge of Paramount Network and TV Land to go with his current leadership of Comedy Central andBellator MMA.[21]

In 2019, after acquiring the free streaming servicePluto TV,Viacom would launch several channels on the service branded after its Media Networks and company–ownedIP.[22][23][24][25]

Reintroduction and re-merger with CBS (2019–present)[edit]

In August 2019, Viacom announced that it wouldmerge with CBS Corporation,reuniting the two entities under theViacomCBSname.[26][27]The merger closed on December 4, 2019.[28][29]Announced on November 11, 2019, as part of the re–merger, the Media Networks division was renamedViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks,and reorganized.

MTV, VH1, CMT andLogowere reorganized into the "Entertainment & Youth Group",[30]with the addition of Comedy Central, Paramount Network,Smithsonian Channel,and TV Land. BET Networks was merged with Showtime Networks under CEODavid Nevins,who also temporarily gained oversight ofPop TV(formerly co-owned withLionsgate);[31]Pop TV was transferred to the Entertainment & Youth Group on January 15, 2020.[32]

On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS was renamed as Paramount Global, and ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks was renamedParamount Media Networks.[33]On May 9, 2023, Paramount announced that it would restructure its U.S. domestic network business.[34]

Channels list[edit]

Current channels[edit]

Category Name Notes Launch
MTV Entertainment Group
MTV Branded Networks MTV 1 August 1, 1981
MTV2 August 1, 1996
MTV Classic 19 August 1, 1998
MTV Live 20 January 16, 2006
MTV Tres August 1, 1998
MTVU 22 January 20, 2004
Entertainment & Youth Group CMT 5 March 5, 1983
Comedy Central 2 June 1, 1991
Logo TV 4 June 30, 2005
Paramount Network 3, 5 March 7, 1983
Pop 15 1981
Smithsonian Channel 13 September 26, 2007
TV Land 14 April 29, 1996
Premium Networks Group (Showtime Networks)
Showtime Networks Paramount+ with Showtime
  • Showtime 2
  • Showcase
  • SHO×BET
  • Showtime Extreme
  • Showtime Family Zone
  • Showtime Next
  • Showtime Women
 12 May 9, 1976 (Showtime)
October 1, 1991 (Showtime 2)
September 1999 (SHO×BET)
1996 (Showcase)
March 10, 1998 (Showtime Extreme)
March 2001 (Showtime Family Zone, Next and Women)
The Movie Channel
  • The Movie Channel Xtra
 18 December 1, 1979
October 1, 1997
Flix 16 August 1, 1992
Kids & Family Entertainment (Nickelodeon Group)
Nickelodeon Networks Nickelodeon 7 April 1, 1979
Nick Jr. 8 September 28, 2009
Nick at Nite July 1, 1985
NickMusic 9 May 1, 2002
Nicktoons 10
TeenNick 11 September 28, 2009

Former channels and blocks[edit]

Notes[edit]

1Channel was originally launched under Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment and tested as Sight on Sound until 1981, when it officially launched asMTV.

2Channel started asHa!,merged withHBO'sThe Comedy Channelthe following year, became entirely owned by Viacom in 2003.

3Originally TNN from 1983 to 2003 (asThe Nashville Networkuntil 1997; as The National Network until 2003) and as Spike until January 2018.

4Channel was originally known asVH1 MegaHitsbefore being discontinued in July 2005 to facilitate Logo launch.

5Channel was previously owned byGaylord Entertainment Company,acquired in 1997 by the CBS Cable division ofCBS Corporation,and became part of MTV Networks when CBS merged withViacom.

6Channel created as VH1 Country before Viacom/CBS merger.

7Channel was originally launched under Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment and tested as Pinwheel until 1979, then was officially launched asNickelodeon.

8Channel space was previously held byNoggin(a joint venture withSesame Workshop) before being replaced with the Nick Jr. Channel in 2009.

9Channel was originally known as MTV Hits before being rebranded asNickMusicon September 9, 2016.

10Channel was originally known as Nicktoons TV until 2003 when it was rebranded as Nicktoons which was rebranded again as Nicktoons Network in 2005 and finally rebranded yet again asNicktoons(styled as "nicktoons" ) once more in 2009.

11Channel space was previously held by Nickelodeon Games and Sports for Kids from 1999 to 2007, and a 24-hour version of Noggin'sThe Nbrand from 2007 to 2009.

12Channel originally owned by thefirst incarnation of Viacom,and earlier with former partner Warner-Amex, and later became part of CBS Corporation following Viacom's split in 2006. Showtime was established in 1976, and The Movie Channel was established in 1973 as Star Channel and relaunched under its current name in 1979.

13Channel was originally co-owned byCBS CorporationthroughShowtime Networksand theSmithsonian Institutionuntil November 7, 2019, when the Institution sold its equity interest to Showtime.[35]

14Channel was originally a block onNick at Nite.

15Previously owned by CBS Corporation, and before 2019, half of the share was owned byLionsgate.Formerly known as TVGN, TV Guide Network, and TV Guide Channel.

16Established by Viacom's Showtime Networks in 1992 and later became part of CBS Corporation following Viacom's split in 2006.

17Channel was formerly Showtime Beyond from 1999 and was discontinued on July 15, 2020.

18Channel was originally known as "Star Channel" until it was bought by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment before becoming "The Movie Channel" in 1979.

19Channel was originally known as VH1 Smooth before being relaunched as VH1 Classic Rock on August 1, 1999. The channel was renamed VH1 Classic in 2000 and was later rebranded asMTV Classicon August 1, 2016.

20Channel was originally known as Music: High Definition (MHD) before being rebranded as Palladia on September 1, 2008. On February 1, 2016, the channel was rebranded asMTV Live.

21Channel was originally a division ofWarner Communicationsand the original owner of MTV, and launched on January 1, 1985, in the former space of Turner's short-livedCable Music Channel.

22Channel slot was originallyVH1 Uno,until MTV Networks on Campus replaced VH1 Uno with a televised simulcast ofMTVU.The college campus feed of MTVU no longer exists but the public feed is still on a limited amount of MSOs.

Other properties[edit]

Internet[edit]

Through its Networks division, Paramount also owns internet properties, such asMTV NewsandAwesomenessTV.The company ran avirtual worldsystem, Virtual MTV, in the late 2000s.[36]

The company has owned various other internet properties including virtual pets websiteNeopets;Flashgame websites AddictingGames.com andShockwave.com;online content production companyAtom Entertainment;along withRateMyProfessors.com,GameTrailers,andiFilm,all of which have been shut down or sold off during 2000s and 2010s.

New York headquarters

During the first quarter of 2008,iFilmwas merged intoSpikewith its website re–branded and re–purposed asSpike.com.[37]

In 2014,Viacompurchased a stake inmulti-channel networkDefy Media,while offloadingGameTrailers,Addicting Games, andShockwaveto Defy.[38]

Gaming[edit]

In 2006, Viacom acquiredHarmonix,a video game studio oriented towardsmusic video gamesand the original developer of theGuitar Herofranchise, for $175 million.[39]The two subsequently collaborated on the creation ofRock Band.[40]That year, Viacom also acquired the gaming–oriented communications platformXfire.[41]

In 2010, Harmonix was divested to an investment firm to become an independent studio,[42][43]and Xfire was sold.[44]

In 2011, Viacom established a short–lived, in–house development studio known as 345 Games, which was dedicated primarily to developing games based on Comedy Central, MTV and Spike properties.[45]

Units[edit]

MTV Entertainment Group[edit]

MTV Entertainment Group
Company typeDivision
FoundedJune 25, 1984;40 years ago(1984-06-25)(as MTV Networks)
August 1, 1996;27 years ago(August 1, 1996)(as a separate group)
Headquarters
Los Angeles,California
,
U.S.
Key people
Chris McCarthy (presidentandCEO)
Brands
ParentParamount Media Networks
Subsidiaries
Websitemtv.com

MTV Entertainment Group is a division that serves as the holdings company for the more general and mature entertainment brands such as its flagshipsMTV,Comedy CentralandParamount Network.[46]

In 2022, MTV Entertainment Group partnered up with Second Chance Studios to launch Media careers.[50]

Showtime Networks[edit]

Main article:Showtime Networks

Showtime Networks is a subsidiary of Paramount Media Networks that oversees the company'spremiumcable televisionchannels,including its flagship serviceShowtime.

Nickelodeon Group[edit]

Main article:Nickelodeon Group

Nickelodeon Group (also known as "Nickelodeon Networks Inc." and as its family distribution name called "Paramount Kids and Family Group" ) is an American entertainment company that oversees Paramount's kids' cable television channels, including its flagship serviceNickelodeon.

References[edit]

  1. ^"Paramount+ Orders More '1883' and Another 'Yellowstone' Prequel".The Hollywood Reporter.February 15, 2022.
  2. ^ab"Warner takes MTV, Nickelodeon public"(PDF).Broadcasting.Broadcasting Publications, Inc. June 25, 1984.RetrievedJanuary 12,2022– via World Radio History.
  3. ^MCN Staff (November 4, 2002)."NBC to Buy Bravo".Multichannel News.RetrievedAugust 21,2022.
  4. ^"BUSINESS PEOPLE; A Chief Is Named By MTV Networks".The New York Times.July 19, 1985.RetrievedJune 1,2014.
  5. ^"Warner to buy out American Express; MTV to go private (page 29)"(PDF).Broadcasting.Broadcasting Publications, Inc. August 12, 1985.RetrievedJanuary 13,2022– via World Radio History.
  6. ^"Viacom to Buy Warner Stake In Cable Units".The Washington Post.August 27, 1985.
  7. ^"Viacom gets its MTV (page 50)"(PDF).Broadcasting.Broadcasting Publications, Inc. September 2, 1985.RetrievedJanuary 13,2022– via World Radio History.
  8. ^Fabrikant, Geraldine (September 17, 1986)."VIACOM CHIEF LEADS GROUP'S BUYOUT BID (Published 1986)".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedJanuary 23,2021.In November 1985, Viacom acquired MTV Networks for $326 million in cash and warrants. One-third of MTV was publicly owned; the rest was owned by Warner Communications and the American Express Company. At the same time, Viacom bought 50 percent of Showtime, the pay television service, that it did not already own for $184 million.
  9. ^"Viacom has bought MTV and Showtime/TMC"(PDF).Broadcasting.Broadcasting Publications, Inc. May 20, 1986.RetrievedJanuary 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  10. ^"Superboy barter"(PDF).Broadcasting.July 18, 1988. p. 61.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
  11. ^Brown, Rich (October 5, 1992)."VH-1 looks for syndication hit"(PDF).Broadcasting.p. 32.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
  12. ^Jannarone, John (October 28, 2012)."Audiences Fall for MTV, Comedy Central".The Wall Street Journal.RetrievedJune 22,2013.
  13. ^Flint, Joe (October 10, 2012)."MTV has big ratings issue, analyst warns".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJune 22,2013.
  14. ^Lieberman, David (February 9, 2017)."Viacom CEO Supports Paramount And Non-Core Networks – But For How Long?".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedSeptember 18,2017.
  15. ^"Viacom Stock Rises on Restructuring".Multichannel.February 9, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 2,2019.
  16. ^"Viacom Unveils Five-Point Turnaround Plan (MESA)".February 9, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 2,2019.
  17. ^"Viacom outlines five point turnaround plan".TBI Vision.February 9, 2017.RetrievedSeptember 2,2019.
  18. ^Goldberg, Lesley (February 1, 2017)."Viacom Restructure: CMT, TV Land Moved to Kevin Kay's Global Entertainment Group".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedFebruary 5,2019.
  19. ^Andreeva, Nellie (February 9, 2017)."Spike President On Channel's Rebranding As The Paramount Network".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedFebruary 10,2017.
  20. ^Andreeva, Nellie (February 9, 2017)."Spike To Change Name & Become The Paramount Network In Viacom Rebranding".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedSeptember 18,2017.
  21. ^Holloway, Daniel; Otterson, Joe (October 25, 2018)."Kevin Kay Exits Paramount Network as Viacom Reorganizes Cable Channels".Variety.RetrievedFebruary 5,2019.
  22. ^"Viacom Acquires Free Streaming Platform Pluto TV for $340 Million".The Hollywood Reporter.January 22, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 23,2019.
  23. ^"Viacom Announces Completion of Pluto TV Acquisition".www.businesswire.com.March 4, 2019.RetrievedMarch 4,2019.
  24. ^Spangler, Todd (April 29, 2019)."Viacom Launching 14 Free Channels on Pluto TV, Sets Broad Digital Originals Slate".Variety.RetrievedApril 30,2019.
  25. ^Peterson, Tim (April 16, 2019)."Viacom will debut 15 channels on Pluto TV to bolster its upfront pitch".RetrievedApril 29,2019.
  26. ^Szalai, George; Bond, Paul; Vlessing, Etan (August 13, 2019)."CBS, Viacom Strike Deal to Recombine".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedAugust 15,2019.
  27. ^"CBS and Viacom To Combine"(PDF).CBS.August 12, 2019. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on August 13, 2019.
  28. ^Steinberg, Brian (October 28, 2019)."Viacom, CBS Set to Merge in Early December".Variety.RetrievedOctober 28,2019.
  29. ^Weprin, Alex (October 29, 2019)."Viacom-CBS Merger Now Expected to Close in 'Early December'".Billboard.RetrievedOctober 29,2019.
  30. ^"ViacomCBS shakes up its content leadership teams following merger".TechCrunch.November 11, 2019.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  31. ^Viacom and CBS Announce Content and Digital Leadership
  32. ^Littleton, Cynthia (January 15, 2020)."ViacomCBS Shuffles Oversight of Pop TV, Bellator MMA Amid Post-Merger Restructuring (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.
  33. ^Petski, Denise (April 29, 2022)."Michael Fabiani Upped To SVP Communications, Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios".Deadline.RetrievedJune 15,2022.
  34. ^Maas, Jenniffer (May 9, 2023)."Paramount Media Networks, Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios to Lay Off 25% of U.S. Staff as MTV News Shuts Down".Variety.RetrievedMay 18,2023.
  35. ^"Smithsonian sells its stake in... the Smithsonian Channel".bizjournals.com.November 8, 2019.RetrievedJuly 31,2020.
  36. ^"Virtual MTV Launches Alpha of Browser-Based Experience".Engage Digital.February 5, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 14,2015.
  37. ^Andrew Hampp (September 11, 2007)."Once Considered a YouTube Rival, MTV Does Away With IFilm.com".AdAge.RetrievedFebruary 18,2012.
  38. ^Kafka, Peter (June 9, 2014)."Viacom Makes a Web Video Bet, and Grabs a Piece of Defy Media".Recode.RetrievedNovember 21,2018.
  39. ^"MTV acquires Harmonix for USD $175 million".GamesIndustry.biz.RetrievedOctober 9,2017.
  40. ^Kohler, Chris (September 14, 2007)."A Glimpse Into Harmonix's Punk-Rock Design Process".Wired.RetrievedJuly 24,2008.
  41. ^"Viacom to acquire Xfire".GameSpot.April 24, 2006.RetrievedOctober 9,2017.
  42. ^Halliday, Josh (December 24, 2010)."Viacom sells Rock Band game studio".The Guardian.London.RetrievedDecember 24,2010.
  43. ^Marie, Meagan (December 23, 2010)."Viacom Sells Harmonix To Columbus Nova".Game Informer.RetrievedDecember 23,2010.
  44. ^Wauters, Robin."Exclusive: Titan Gaming Takes Xfire Off Viacom's Hands".TechCrunch.RetrievedOctober 9,2017.
  45. ^"MTV Networks Group Launches 345 Games".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedOctober 9,2017.
  46. ^Studios, MTV Entertainment."MTV Entertainment Studios unveils expansive lineup of 90+ new and returning series across Paramount Media Networks and Paramount+, including MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Smithsonian Channel and Paramount Network".prnewswire.com.RetrievedJuly 13,2022.
  47. ^Otterson, Joe (September 22, 2020)."Paramount Network Rebrands, Doubles Down on Movies and Minis (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.RetrievedDecember 14,2021.
  48. ^White, Peter (January 24, 2022)."Paramount Movie Network Put On Ice As ViacomCBS Nixes Rebrand Plans For 'Yellowstone' Network".Deadline.RetrievedJanuary 24,2022.
  49. ^Andreeva, Nellie (January 16, 2020)."Sarah Babineau & Keith Cox Promoted To Top Creative Posts At ViacomCBS' Entertainment & Youth Unit, Jonas Larsen Exits".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on January 16, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 16,2020.
  50. ^Studios, Second Chance."Second Chance Studios Graduates First Class of Formerly Incarcerated Fellows, Partnering with MTV Entertainment Group to Launch Media Careers".prnewswire.com.RetrievedJuly 13,2022.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paramount_Media_Networks&oldid=1229637880"