The Evolution of

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

In this section, we will present to you the logos of some of Paramount's other subsidiaries, including their parent company Viacom. Here they are in no particular order. Enjoy.

Section 3: The Subsidiaries

Viacom International (Est. 1971)

Orginally the successor to distributor CBS Films, syndication arm for off-network programs from the CBS Television Network. Currently owns Paramount Pictures, Spelling Entertainment, CBS Inc. and cable networks MTV, Showtime, TNN and Nickelodeon.

CBS Worldwide (Est. 1928)

Major U.S. radio and television network. Originally the initials stood for The Columbia Broadcasting System prior to 1974. Launched TV network in 1941. Original owners of distribution company Viacom, who just so happens be the current owner of CBS! The two companies got back together following a merger in 1999. CBS also owns Westwood One Radio, Infinity Broadcasting, King World and the original Group W/Westinghouse Broadcasting radio and television stations.

CBS Television City (Est, 1952)

One of CBS's West Coast film and TV studios.

CBS Productions (Est. 1950s)

CBS's independent TV production division. Also known as CBS Entertainment Productions, and CBS Eye Too Productions.

CBS Films (1950s-1971)

Distribution arm for CBS off-network programs from the mid 1950s to 1971. The predecessor to Viacom Enterprises. Also known as CBS Television Film Sales and CBS Enterprises, Inc.

CBS Broadcast International (Est. 1980s)

CBS's worldwide program distribution division.

CBS News Productions (Est, 1940s)

CBS's news production division.

CBS Theatrical Films (1970s-Mid 1980s)

CBS's short-lived motion picture production division.

CBS Video (Est. 1978)

Home video division of CBS, Inc. Also released titles under the joint ventures of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the late 1970s and 20th Century Fox in the mid 1980s.

Paramount Classics (Est. 1999)

Paramount's international motion picture division, since mid 1999.

Artcraft Pictures (1910s-Late 1920s)

Paramount's short-lived arthouse sub-division.

Paramount Presents Popular Science (1930s)

Standard Paramount logos made for the "Popular Science" and "Unusual Occupations" shorts.

Paramount Televsion Domestic Syndication (Est. 1967)

Paramount's TV distribution arm. Also known as Paramount Television Enterprises in the mid 1960s, and Paramount Television Sales in the 1970s.

Desilu Studios (1951-1967)

Independent film and TV production company, owned by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Bought in 1966 by Gulf + Western Industries, and later merged with Paramount Pictures as their new television division in late 1967.

Spelling Television (Est. 1967)

Independent film and TV production company, headed by Aaron Spelling. Merged with Viacom International in 2000. Also known as Thomas/Spelling Productions, opposite Danny Thomas, and Spelling-Goldberg Productions, opposite Leonard Goldberg.

ABC Films (1953-1973)

Distribution arm for ABC off-network programs from the mid 1950s and 1960s. The Predecessor of Worldvision Enterprises.

Worldvision Enterprises (1973-1999)

Originally the successor of distributor ABC Films starting in 1973. Worldvision was owned by The Taft Entertainment Company (former parent corporation of Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears) from 1979 to 1988. Taft later changed their name to Great American Broadcasting in the latter year.

Worldvision has been a part of Spelling Entertainment from 1990-1999. Currently, all series from the former are under the supervision of Viacom International, current parent company of Spelling Entertainment.

NBC Films (Mid 1950s-1973)

Distribution arm for NBC off-network programs of the '50s and '60s. Their film and television library was sold to National Telefilm Associates in 1973.

National Telefilm Associates (1952-1984)

One of the first major television syndication companies, originally partly owned by 20th Century Fox. Among their film library included pre-1948 films from Fox, and the backlog of the Max Fleischer/Famous Studios cartoons and George Pal "Puppetoons" originally released by Paramount prior to 1951, with the exception of the "Popeye" and "Superman" shorts.

Distributor NBC Films became a part of NTA starting in 1973. NTA later joined Republic Pictures in 1984, who would later be a part of Spelling Entertainment in the 1990s. Currently, all series from the former are under the supervision of Viacom International, parent company of Spelling Entertainment.

Republic Pictures (Est. 1924)

One of the major motion picture studios of the golden age of Hollywood. Merged with National Telefilm Associates in 1984, and with Spelling Entertainment in the mid 1990s. Most of their film backlog is currently under license by Artisan Entertainment.

Hollywood Television Service (Est. 1950s)

Independent production/distribution company. Original TV licensee of classic Republic Pictures movie library.

U.M.&M. TV Corporation (1951-1958)

Independent program distributor. In 1956, they were bought by National Telefilm Associates, future successor to distrbutor NBC Films. Among their film library included the Max Fleischer/Famous Studios Cartoons of the '30s and '40s, originally released theatrically by Paramount Pictures prior to 1951. The Corporation's initials stood for the following companies...

U for United Film Service Inc., based in Kansas City, MO
M for MTA-TV of New Orleans
M for Minot T.V. Inc., New York

Group W Productions (Early 1960s-1995)

The syndication division of Westinghouse Broadcasting. Owned animation studio Filmation Associates in the 1980s. Became a part of CBS in the mid 1990s and was renamed Eyemark Entertainment in 1995. Shows from the latter corporation are now seen under the King World name, another CBS company since 1999.

Eyemark Entertainment (1995-1999)

The syndication division of CBS Enterprises. Owned program backlog of Group W Productions, following its merger with CBS and Westinghouse Broadcasting Company. Merged with King World in 1999, shortly after CBS' acquisition of the company.

King World (Est. 1965)

One of today's finest independent program distribution companies. Headed by Michael and Roger King. Merged with CBS in 1999.

Colbert Television Sales (Mid 1970s-Mid 1980s)

Independent program distribution company. Former co-distribution team-up with King World.

Camelot Entertainment Sales (Mid 1980s-Mid 1990s)

Independent program distribution company. A barter-division of King World.

Operation Prime Time (1974-1987)

Short-lived syndicated programming block, originated from the TeleRep corporation.

Television Program Enterprises (1980s)

Independent production/distribution company, also originated from TeleRep. Merged with Rysher Entertainment in the mid '90s.

Rysher Entertainment (1989-2000)

Independent production/distribution company. Merged with Television Program Enterprises (TPE) in the mid '90s, and later became part of Cox Broadcasting shortly after. Rysher merged with Paramount/Viacom in 1999.

Big Ticket Television (Est. 1995)

Independent production company. Originally owned by Spelling Entertainment Group.

Cinema Center Films (1970s)

Independent motion picture releasing company. Film library currently under license by CBS, Inc. and Viacom International.

Cinerama Releasing Corporation (1970s)

Independent motion picture distribution company. Film backlog currently under licensed by Paramount/Viacom through CBS, Inc.

Simon & Schuster (Est. 1924)

World-renown leader in the field of general interest publishing, providing consumers worldwide with a diverse range of quality books and multimedia products across a wide variety of genres and formats. publishing company, founded by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. The company was later acquired by Gulf+Western Industries in 1975.