CBS Studios

American television production company

This article is about the production company. For the CBS TV studios in New York, see CBS Broadcast Center. For the CBS studios in Los Angeles, see Radford Studio Center and Television City.

This article is about the company formerly known as Paramount Television. For the second incarnation of said company, see Paramount Television Studios.

"CBS Paramount Television" redirects here. For CBS Paramount Domestic Television, see CBS Media Ventures.

CBS Studios, Inc.

Logo used since 2020

CBS Studio Center, Soundstage 2 in Los Angeles

Formerly|

* CBS Paramount Television
(2006–2009)
* CBS Television Studios
(2009–2020)

Company type| Subsidiary
Industry| Television production
Predecessors|

* Spelling Television
* Paramount Television (Studios)
* CBS Productions (first and second revivals)
* CBS Films

Founded| January 17, 2006; 19 years ago (2006-01-17)
Headquarters| CBS Studio Center,

Los Angeles, California

United States

Key people

| David Stapf (president)
Products| Television programs
Parent| CBS Corporation (2006–2019)
CBS Entertainment Group (2019–present)
Divisions| CBS Eye Animation Productions
Subsidiaries|

* Big Ticket Entertainment
* CBS Media Ventures

Website| www.paramount.com/about/businesses/studios

CBS Studios, Inc. is an American television production company which is a subsidiary of the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Skydance Corporation. It was formed on January 17, 2006, by CBS Corporation as CBS Paramount (Network) Television, as a renaming of the original incarnation of the Paramount Television studio, as well as its merger with CBS Productions.

It is the television production arm of the CBS network (CBS Productions previously assumed such functions until 2004, when it was merged into Paramount Television), and, along with Warner Bros. Television Studios (a part of Warner Bros. Discovery) and CW Studios (network's recently launched production arm), it is also the television production arm of The CW (in which Paramount has a 12.5% ownership stake; along with Warner Bros. Discovery).

## History

[edit]

### Predecessors

[edit]

#### CBS's original production and distribution units

[edit]

In 1952, the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) formed an in-house television production unit, CBS Productions, as well as facilities in the newly established Television City in the Fairfax District, Los Angeles in Westside. Also formed was CBS Television Film Sales (later known as CBS Films) as the distributor of off-network and first-run syndicated programming to local television stations in the United States and abroad.

In 1963, CBS Studio Center is established in the Studio City district of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley. In 1970, CBS Films became Viacom Enterprises and was spun off the following year. In 1978, CBS' production unit gained the secondary/alternate name CBS Entertainment Productions.

In 1994, Westinghouse Electric acquired CBS. Viacom merged with its creator CBS, in 2000.

#### Paramount Pictures' early television ventures

[edit]

In 1939, experimental television stations were established in Los Angeles (W6XYZ) as Television Productions Inc. and Chicago (W9XBK) with Balaban and Katz. Commercial broadcasting began in 1943 over WBKB in Chicago (now WBBM-TV). Commercial broadcasting began in 1947 over KTLA in Los Angeles. In 1949, Paramount Pictures became the first major studio to establish program syndication with the Paramount Television Network (much of which originated from KTLA). Paramount branched out of broadcasting in 1964 with the sale of KTLA to Gene Autry.

#### Desilu Productions, later Paramount Network Television

[edit]

Desilu Productions was formed in 1950 by Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball.[1][2] Desilu Studios was established in Hollywood and Culver City in 1957, after Arnaz/Ball purchased the RKO Pictures studio lot. Desilu Sales Inc. was formed in 1962 as the company's syndication arm. In 1967, Desilu Productions was acquired by Gulf and Western Industries. The company became the television division of Paramount Pictures Corporation in July, retaining the Desilu name until the end of that year.[3] Desilu Sales, in turn, merged with Paramount's syndication division to become Paramount Television Sales.

From 1966 to 1967, Gulf+Western acquired Paramount Pictures. In 1968, Paramount Television, formerly Desilu, was established as the studio's television production unit.[4] In 1977, Paramount Television Service was formed. In 1982, Paramount Television Group and Paramount Domestic Television and Video Programming was established. In September 1989, Gulf+Western was reincorporated as Paramount Communications, Inc.. On March 11, 1994, Viacom acquired Paramount Communications. In 1995, Viacom launched the United Paramount Network (UPN) with Chris-Craft Industries.

On August 10, 2004, Viacom merged the international television banners of CBS Broadcast International and Paramount International Television to form CBS Studios International. On September 7, 2004, Viacom merged CBS Productions and Paramount Network Television to form a new entity of Paramount Network Television, also known as CBS Paramount Television Entertainment Group, with CBS Productions becoming an in-name-only unit.[5]

On December 31, 2005, as the CBS/Viacom split took effect, CBS inherited Paramount's television program library, with the second incarnation of Viacom keeping Paramount's films, the MTV Networks and the BET Networks.

### Formation

[edit]

CBS Paramount Television logo, used from 2006 to 2009. CBS Television Studios logo, used from 2009 to 2020.

On January 17, 2006, CBS Corporation CEO Les Moonves announced that Paramount Television would be renamed CBS Paramount Television as of that day, and the network division becoming CBS Paramount Network Television, and the domestic distribution arm becoming CBS Paramount Domestic Television.[6]

On September 26, 2006, CBS Corporation merged its television distribution arms—King World, CBS Paramount International Television and CBS Paramount Domestic Television—to form CBS Television Distribution. CBS Home Entertainment was then established as a subsidiary of the latter.[7]

On May 17, 2009, the Paramount name was dropped after a 3½-year loan of its use from sister company Viacom, forming CBS Television Studios.[8]

National Amusements retained majority control of both CBS and the second Viacom. For a short time, many of Paramount's theatrical films were distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution (the new name for the distribution arm as of 2007).[9] Paramount Home Entertainment continues to distribute home video sales of CBS shows through the CBS DVD brand.

From 2009 until 2011, all shows produced by the company aired on either CBS or The CW. In the past, Paramount Television produced shows for all networks, but especially had a good relationship with ABC (much as Universal Television had a good relationship with eventual sister network NBC). The Cleaner, which aired on A&E until September 2009, was the most recent show from the company to air on a network other than CBS or The CW (which is ironic when NBC/ABC's ownership of A&E is taken into account). This was until BET began airing new episodes of The Game in 2011. In 2012, USA Network began airing Common Law.

CBS Television Studios does not directly produce any shows appearing on Showtime, a premium cable television network co-owned with the studio. Instead, sister company Showtime Entertainment handles in-house productions for the network. However, CBS Television Distribution and its international arm handle syndication distribution for these shows if they ever appear in syndication.

On October 25, 2018, CBS Television Studios announced the opening of a new animation division, CBS Eye Animation Productions. A new Star Trek series entitled Star Trek: Lower Decks was announced simultaneously.[10]

### ViacomCBS re-merger; rebranding as CBS Studios

[edit]

It was announced on August 13, 2019, that parent company CBS Corporation would reunite with Viacom to form a combined media company and be renamed ViacomCBS (now known as Paramount Global).[11] The merger closed on December 4.[12] For the first time in nearly fourteen years, Paramount Global encompasses the Paramount Pictures film studio, the current incarnation of its television division, and CBS's production studio under one umbrella.

On October 8, 2020, it was announced that CBS Television Studios had been renamed CBS Studios as part of a unification of branding elements between CBS divisions, citing that use of the word "Television" in the name was antiquated due to its position of producing programming for multiple platforms.[13]

## Filmography (2009–present)

[edit]

Main article: List of Paramount Skydance television programs § CBS Studios

## See also

[edit]

* CBS Media Ventures, the broadcast syndication arm of CBS Studios
* Paramount Global Content Distribution, the international distribution arm of Paramount Global formerly known as CBS Studios International
* Paramount Television Studios, the second television division of Paramount Pictures and corporate sibling of CBS Studios
* Terrytoons, an animation studio with television distribution rights to its library owned by CBS Media Ventures

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Desilu, Famous Players to G&W". Broadcasting: 71. February 20, 1967.
2. ^ "Week's Profile: Lucille Ball". Broadcasting: 117. July 31, 1967.
3. ^ Patrick J. White, The Complete Mission: Impossible Dossier p. 117, 141. New York: Avon Books, 1991. ISBN 0-380-75877-6
4. ^ Patrick J. White, The Complete Mission: Impossible Dossier p. 141. New York: Avon Books, 1991. ISBN 0-380-75877-6
5. ^ Adalian, Josef; Schneider, Michael (September 7, 2004). "Moonves' TV makeovers". Variety. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
6. ^ Eggerton, John (January 17, 2006). "CBS Has Its Eye on Paramount". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
7. ^ Garrett, Diane; Adalian, Josef (January 16, 2007). "CBS makes split decision". Variety. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
8. ^ "If It's Monday, It Must Be CBS TV Studios". TV MoJoe. TVWeek. May 17, 2009. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
9. ^ CBS Television Distribution Syndication Bible Archived September 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine TV Movies. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 25, 2018). "'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Animated Series From 'Rick and Morty' EP & Secret Hideout Ordered By CBS All Access". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
11. ^ Ivanova, Irina (August 15, 2019). "CBS and Viacom agree to $30 billion media merger". CBS News. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
12. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (December 4, 2019). "CBS and Viacom Complete Merger: 'It's Been a Long and Winding Road to Get Here'". Variety. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
13. ^ Steinberg, Brian (October 8, 2020). "CBS Casts New Eye on Audiences Who Don't Watch Its Programs on Regular TV". Variety. Retrieved October 8, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to CBS Studios at Wikimedia Commons
* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Global

Corporate directors|

* Shari Redstone (Non-Executive Chair)

CBS
Entertainment
Group|

| Flagship assets|

* CBS
* CBS Sports
* CBS Sports HQ
* CBS Sports Network
* The CW (12.5%)

|

BET Media Group|

* BET
* BET Her
* BET Jams
* BET Soul
* BET+

CBS News
and Stations|

* CBS News
* CBS News Radio
* CBS O&O
* KCBS-TV
* KCNC-TV
* KDKA-TV
* KOVR
* KPIX-TV
* KTVT
* KYW-TV
* WBBM-TV
* WBZ-TV
* WCBS-TV
* WCCO-TV/KCCW-TV
* WFOR-TV
* WJZ-TV
* WWJ-TV
* Ind.
* KCAL-TV
* KMAX-TV
* KPYX
* KSTW
* KTXA
* WBFS-TV
* WKBD-TV
* WLNY-TV
* WPKD-TV
* WPSG
* WSBK-TV
* WTOG
* WUPA
* Start TV
* WBXI-CD
* Network
* Fave TV

Production &
distribution|

* CBS Studios
* Big Ticket Entertainment
* CBS Eye Animation Productions
* Late Night Cartoons, Inc.
* CBS Media Ventures
* Dabl

Digital media|

* CBS MoneyWatch
* CBS Sports Digital
* CBSSports.com
* 247Sports
* MaxPreps
* CBS Watch
* Last.fm

Streaming|

* Paramount+
* original programming
* original films
* Showtime
* Pluto TV
* CBS News 24/7
* CBS Sports HQ

U.S. media
networks|

| MTV Entertainment Group|

* Comedy Central
* CMT
* CMT Music
* Logo TV
* MTV
* MTV2
* MTVU
* MTV Classic
* MTV Live
* Tr3s
* MTV Entertainment Studios
* MTV Animation
* Paramount Network
* Pop TV
* Smithsonian Channel
* Showtime Networks
* Showtime
* The Movie Channel
* Flix
* TV Land
* VH1

|

Nickelodeon Group|

* Nickelodeon
* Nick at Nite
* Nick Jr. (block)
* Nick Jr. Channel
* NickMusic
* Nicktoons
* TeenNick
* Production
* Awesomeness
* Nickelodeon Animation Studio
* Nick Digital
* Avatar Studios
* Paws, Inc.

Paramount
Pictures|

* Paramount Animation
* Paramount Players
* Paramount Home Entertainment
* Paramount Music
* United International Pictures (50%)
* Miramax (49%)
* Nickelodeon Movies
* Republic Pictures

International
networks|

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks Americas

Pan-American|

* Comedy Central
* MTV
* Club MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV 80s
* MTV Hits Europe
* MTV Live
* Nickelodeon
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* TeenNick
* Paramount Network
* Telefe Internacional

Brazil|

* Comedy Central
* MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV Live
* Nickelodeon
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* Paramount Network
* Telefe Internacional

Argentina|

* Telefe
* Córdoba
* Rosario
* Santa Fe

Chile|

* Chilevisión

Canada|

* CMT
* Nickelodeon
* Smithsonian Channel

Production arms|

* Porta dos Fundos (51% JV)
* TIS Productions (majority stake)

Defunct|

* MTV Brasil
* MTV Canada
* MTV2 Canada
* MTV Hits Brazil
* MTV Hits Latin America
* MTV Jams
* MTV Puerto Rico (licensed)
* Nick 2
* Nicktoons
* Smithsonian Channel
* VH1 Brazil
* VH1 Classic Europe
* VH1 Classic United States
* VH1 Europe
* VH1 HD
* VH1 Latin America
* VH1 MegaHits
* VH1 Soul

See also|

* Paramount Global
* Paramount Media Networks
* Paramount International Networks

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks EMEAA

MTV|

* MTV Africa
* MTV Base
* France and Francophone
* MTV Hits
* Germany
* Global
* Club MTV
* MTV 00s
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Hits
* MTV Live
* India
* Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* MTV Music
* Japan
* Netherlands
* Poland
* Portugal
* Spain
* Taiwan
* UK
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Hits
* MTV Music

Nickelodeon|

* Arab world
* Africa
* Asia
* Malaysia
* Philippines
* Central/Eastern Europe
* Ukraine
* Croatia
* Serbian
* Slovenia
* Denmark
* Europe
* Flanders
* France and French-speaking Switzerland
* Germany
* Austria
* German-speaking Switzerland
* Greece
* Nickelodeon Plus
* Iberia
* Israel
* Italy
* Netherlands
* NickMusic
* Poland
* Scandinavia
* Sweden
* Turkey
* Wallonia
* Pakistan
* TeenNick

| Nick Jr.|

* Arab world
* Africa
* CIS, Ukraine and Georgia (previously Russia and Belarus)
* France
* Germany, Austria and Switzerland
* Greece
* Israel
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Portugal
* Scandinavia
* Southeast Asia
* Turkey
* Wallonia

|

Nicktoons|

* Arab world
* Africa
* Europe
* France
* Germany
* Netherlands
* Scandinavia

Comedy Central|

* CIS and Georgia
* Flanders
* France
* Germany
* Austrian subfeed
* Swiss subfeed
* Hungary
* Hot Comedy Central (Israel)
* Italy
* Netherlands
* Poland
* Polsat Comedy Central Extra
* Romania
* Spain

Paramount Network|

* Czech Republic
* France
* Netherlands
* Spain

BET|

* France
* Africa

Other|

* Ego
* Game One
* J-One
* JVs with AMC Networks International
* Film Cafe
* CBS Reality
* Super!

Defunct|

* 5Spike
* CBS Action Poland
* Comedy Central
* Extra
* Family Netherlands
* Sweden
* Kindernet
* MTV
* Adria
* Africa
* Australia and New Zealand
* Austria
* Belgium
* Czech Republic and Slovakia
* China
* Denmark
* Eesti
* Finland
* Greece
* Hungary
* Indonesia
* Lithuania and Latvia
* Middle East
* New Zealand
* Nordic
* Norway
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Original
* MTV Pinoy
* MTVph
* Romania
* Russia, CIS and Georgia
* Southeast Asia
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Thailand
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* MTV Base
* MTV Brand New
* Italy
* Netherlands
* MTV Classic
* Australia and New Zealand
* Italy
* Poland
* Club MTV
* Australia
* MTV Hits
* Australia and New Zealand
* Italy
* MTV Idol
* MTV Music
* Greece
* Poland
* MTV Music 24
* MTV Plus
* MTV Pulse
* France
* Italy
* MTV Rocks
* MTV2 Pop
* Nickelodeon Russia
* QOOB
* The Box
* The Music Factory
* Flanders
* Nederland
* TMF Dance
* TMF NL
* TMF Pure
* VH1
* Denmark
* Europe
* Germany
* Poland
* Italy
* VH1 Classic
* VIVA
* Austria
* Germany
* Hungary

See also|

* Paramount Global
* Paramount Media Networks
* Paramount International Networks
* Paramount Networks UK & Australia
* Rainbow S.p.A. (30%)
* List of Paramount channels

* v
* t
* e

Paramount Networks UK & Australia

United Kingdom
& Ireland|

* Comedy Central1
* Comedy Central Extra
* Legend2
* Legend Xtra
* MTV
* Club MTV
* MTV 80s
* MTV 90s
* MTV Music
* Nickelodeon
* Nicktoons
* Nick Jr.
* Nick Jr. Too
* True Crime2
* True Crime Xtra

| UK-only|

* 5
* 5Action
* 5Select
* 5Star
* 5USA
* Milkshake!
* streaming service
* MTV Live

|

Australia &
New Zealand|

| Network 10|

* Sydney
* Melbourne
* Brisbane
* Adelaide
* Perth
* Northern NSW & Gold Coast
* Southern NSW & ACT
* Regional Victoria
* Regional Queensland

|

Multichannels|

* 10 HD
* 10 Drama
* 10 Comedy
* Nickelodeon
* you.tv
* gecko

Online|

* 10

Other|

* Comedy Central
* MTV
* Classic
* Club
* Hits
* Nickelodeon (Australia and New Zealand)
* Nick Jr.
* NickMusic
* OzTAM3

Related|

* Canwest
* Network 10 programs

Defunct|

* 5Spike
* 10 daily
* BET International
* CBS Justice1
* CMT
* MTV
* Base
* Classic
* Extra
* Flux
* Hits
* Music
* OMG
* Rocks
* Shows
* Nicktoonsters
* Smithsonian Channel
* Spike
* Spree TV
* Ten Guide
* TMF
* VH1
* Classic
* VH2
* Viva

* 175% with Sky Group
* 2with AMC Networks International UK
* 333% with Seven Network & Nine Network

Miscellaneous
holdings|

* CBS Broadcast Center
* Ed Sullivan Theater
* Paramount Consumer Products
* Paramount Global Content Distribution
* Philo (unknown stake)
* Porta dos Fundos (51%)
* WhoSay

Defunct/former
holdings|

* AXS TV
* Bellator MMA
* Blockbuster
* BNET
* CBS Cable
* CBS Eye on People
* CBS Films
* CBS Home Entertainment
* CBS Innertube
* CBS Productions
* CBS Radio
* CBS Records
* CBS Telenoticias
* CNET
* Chowhound
* CNET Video
* Download.com
* UrbanBaby
* ZDNET
* SmartPlanet
* TechRepublic
* Comedy Central Films
* ComicBook.com
* DreamWorks
* Epix
* Famous Music
* FindArticles
* Free FM
* GameSpot
* GameFAQs
* GameRankings
* Giant Bomb
* GameTrailers
* Harmonix
* HDNet Movies
* IFilm
* Infinity Broadcasting
* Insurge Pictures
* King World Productions
* Metacritic
* MetroLyrics
* MovieTickets.com
* Neopets
* Nickelodeon on Sunset
* Nick Records
* Noggin
* onGamers
* Paramount Digital Entertainment
* Paramount Famous Productions
* Paramount Parks
* Paramount Records
* Paramount Stations Group
* Paramount Television Studios
* Paramount Vantage
* Rainbow S.p.A. (30%)
* Bardel Entertainment
* Colorado Film
* Republic Pictures
* Scout.com
* Simon & Schuster
* Shockwave
* Spelling Television
* TV Guide
* TV.com
* Clicker.com
* United Paramount Theatres
* UPN
* USA Network
* VersionTracker
* VH1 Uno
* Viacom18 (13%)
* Viacom Entertainment Store
* VidCon
* Westinghouse Broadcasting
* Westinghouse Licensing
* Worldvision Enterprises
* CIC Video

See also|

* CBS Corporation
* Gulf and Western Industries
* National Amusements
* Viacom (1952–2005)
* Viacom (2005–2019)
* Westinghouse Electric Corporation
* History of CBS
* CBS, Inc. v. FCC
* Split of CBS Corporation and Viacom
* 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom
* Merger of Skydance Media and Paramount Global
* Criticism
* News
* Television programs
* Buildings and facilities
* CBS Building
* One Astor Plaza
* Radford Studio Center
* United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. (1948)

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