Paramount Global Content Distribution

Global TV distribution arm of Paramount Global

Paramount Global Content Distribution

Formerly|

List

*     * Desilu International (1962–1968)
* Paramount Television International (1968–1988)
* CBS Broadcast International (1981–1984, 1986–2007)
* CBS Productions (1984–1986)
* Paramount International Television (1988–2004)
* CBS Paramount International Television (2004–2009)
* CBS Global Distribution Group (2006–2019)
* CBS Studios International (2009–2020)
* ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group (2019–2022)
* Paramount Global Distribution Group (2022)
* Paramount Global Content Licensing (2022)

Company type| Division
Industry| Television distribution
Founded| 1962; 63 years ago (1962)
Headquarters|

* Santa Monica, California
* New York City, New York

Products|

* Television shows
* Television films
* Miniseries

Parent| Paramount Skydance Corporation
Website| Official website

Paramount Global Content Distribution is the international television distribution arm of American media conglomerate, Paramount Skydance Corporation, originally established in 1962 as the international distribution division of Desilu Productions. With the sale of Desilu to Gulf+Western, then-owners of film studio Paramount Pictures, in 1968, the division evolved into Paramount's first foray into the international television industry in the 1970s.

The division handles the distribution of television content from the libraries of Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Television Studios, CBS Studios, CBS Media Ventures, Showtime Networks and Paramount+.

## History

[edit]

### Desilu International/Paramount Television International/Paramount International Television (1962–2006)

[edit]

The division as well as Paramount International Television was originally established in 1962 as the international distribution division of Desilu Productions, Desilu International, which was managed by Bruce Gordon.[1] The company co-produced The Lost Islands with the Ten Network (now Network 10) in 1975. Network 10 and this division have been in common ownership since 2019 after the ViacomCBS re-merger. In 1983, it acquired distribution rights to the Australian miniseries, Return to Eden.[2]

In 1967, Desilu was sold to Gulf+Western, the then-owners of the film studio Paramount Pictures, adding international television to its well-known film operations. Gulf+Western rebranded the division as Paramount Television International to handle international sales of Desilu/Paramount properties from Paramount Television. The following year, John Pearson, who had run Desilu/Paramount's international operations, was fired. He proceeded to form his own company, John Pearson International, whose purpose was continue distributing the sitcom Here's Lucy for the international market.[3]

In 1987, the company, along with MCA TV International, signed an agreement with China Central Television (CCTV), to offer a total of 100 drama hours. The deal, the largest license ever granted to Chinese television in that era, made the two Hollywood studios the largest suppliers of foreign production for that country.[4] In 1990, it briefly considered an investment in Australia's Nine Network.[5]

In 1986, Paramount Television International formed a partnership that would exploit the rights to the Madison Square Garden properties.[6] In 1995, Paramount International Television launched a joint venture to be headed by Peter Press.[7] In 1998, James Dowaliby was tapped to be vice president of production and Christopher Ottinger was named vice president of business development at the division.[8] Later that year, Paramount announced plans to enter international co-production.[9]

In 2000, the division was touted to develop and co-produce Jeremiah with Lions Gate Television, but was replaced by MGM Television.[10]

### CBS Broadcast International (1981–2007)

[edit]

In 1981, CBS launched its international division, CBS Broadcast International, to sell news, sports and entertainment programming produced in-house to foreign markets as well as non-broadcast and new technology markets in the U.S. It eventually merged into CBS Worldwide Enterprises and later incorporated into its marketing unit CBS Productions (unrelated to the later company of the same name) with CBS Theatrical Films in August 1984.[11] In the summer of 1985, CBS Productions, CBS News and Columbia House partnered to produce a videocassette The Vietnam War with Walter Cronkite.[12]

Later that year, CBS shut down its theatrical production unit[13] and CBS Broadcast International spun-out from the production unit, restoring the CBS Broadcast International moniker in the process.[14] It planned to provide the CBS Evening News bulletins to UK-based British Satellite Broadcasting in 1988.[15]

CBS Broadcast International produced syndicated episodes of the TV series, The Twilight Zone in 1985. It then signed a partnership agreement with MGM/UA Telecommunications 2 years later to syndicate its episodes from all 2 seasons with 30 new first-run episodes to form a 90-episode syndication package.[16] On 28 October that same year, CBS Broadcast International announced its acquisition of TV and ancillary market rights to four Academy Award/Oscar-winning films produced by Arthur Cohn such as Dangerous Moves, Black and White in Color, The Garden of the Finzi Continis and The Sky Above, The Mud Below. It also announced plans to pick up the bulletins of CBS Evening News with Dan Rather which would place it on a tape-delayed basis on international channel Tele Monte Carlo.[17]

CBS Broadcast International launched a global programming alliance with Virgin Media Television in 1997.[18] That following year, Stephanie Pacheco was named the managing director of international sales of the division.[19]

### CBS Paramount International Television (2004–2009)

[edit]

CBS Broadcast International and Paramount International Television merged on August 11, 2004 to create CBS Paramount International Television and would be headed by Armando Nuarez Jr.[20] The division was transferred to CBS Corporation when CBS spun off from Viacom on January 1, 2006, with television rights to the films from its sister company, Paramount Pictures, obtained by Trifecta Entertainment and Media. With the December 4, 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom, the TV rights to Paramount's films were brought back to the now-combined Paramount Global. The company distributes television content from the libraries of CBS Studios, the King World Productions and certain HBO shows internationally the Rysher Entertainment library, the latter owned domestically by 2929 Entertainment.

### CBS Studios International (2009–2019)

[edit]

CBS Studios International logo (2009-2020)

In May 2009, CPITV was renamed CBS Studios International. On 14 September that year, CBS Studios International struck a joint venture deal with Chellomedia to launch six CBS-branded channels in the UK which would replace Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller, Zone Horror and Zone Reality, plus timeshift services Zone Horror +1 and Zone Reality +1.[21][22] The replacement channels launched on 16 November that year.[23] On 5 April 2010, Zone Horror and Zone Horror +1 were rebranded as Horror Channel and Horror Channel +1 respectively.[24]

CBS Studios International licensed rights for the top international formats. In 2010, CBS Studios International went into an equal joint venture with Reliance Broadcast Network Limited to form Big CBS Networks Pvt. Ltd. At the time, the network operated 3 main channels; Big CBS Prime, a general entertainment channel, Big CBS Spark, a youth-oriented channel and Big CBS Love, a women's and urban couple-oriented channel.

In January 2011, CBS Studios International partnered with Australian company, Ten Network Holdings, to launch digital free-to-air channel known as Eleven and would hold a 33% stake in its joint-venture holding company, ElevenCo.[25] Ten Network Holdings entered voluntary administration in June 2017 which ultimately led to CBS acquiring the entirety of the company that November.[26]

On 1 August 2012, Chellomedia revealed that the European versions of Zone Romantica, Zone Reality and Club would be rebranded respectively as CBS Drama, CBS Reality and CBS Action.[27]

### ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group/Paramount Global Content Distribution (2019–present)

[edit]

ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group logo (2020–2022)

Following the December 4, 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom to create ViacomCBS, CBS Studios International and Paramount Worldwide Television Licensing & Distribution merged and rebranded to ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS rebranded as Paramount Global, rebranding the division likewise to its current name and restoring the "Paramount" name in television for the first time in 16 years. ViacomCBS International Studios was folded into the company later in 2022.

## Past activities

[edit]

As CBS Paramount International Television, the division distributed films/movies from the libraries of Paramount Pictures and the Republic Pictures between 2006 and 2009, as well as DreamWorks Pictures from 2006 to 2008.

As CBS Studios International, the division had 50% ownership of former Australian pay-TV channels, TV1 and SF Channel.[28] In 2013, RTL Group and CBS Studios International announced a joint venture called RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network for Southeast Asia with the launch of RTL CBS Entertainment in September that year, but would be acquired 5 years later in January by Blue Ant Media.

The division previously owned all CBS-branded European TV channels (until rebranded in 2025) in a joint venture with AMC Networks International and an Australian television company, Ten Network Holdings. Both have since been transferred to the primary international networks division of Paramount Global.

## See also

[edit]

* CBS Studios
* Paramount Television Studios
* MTV Entertainment Studios
* Nickelodeon Group

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Paramount's Bruce Gordon: programming the world" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 29, 1987. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
2. ^ "Making deals" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 24, 1983. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
3. ^ "'Lucy' goes abroad to Australia, Japan" (PDF). Broadcasting. November 17, 1969. p. 73. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
4. ^ "Par, MCA License 100 Drama Hours To China TV Web". Variety. February 11, 1987. pp. 54, 68.
5. ^ "Paramount, CBS looking to invest in Australia's Nine Network" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 14, 1990. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
6. ^ "International effort" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 3, 1986. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
7. ^ "MAVENS ON THE MOVE". Variety. July 24, 1995. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
8. ^ Guider, Elizabeth (January 29, 1998). "Par TV Adds Int'l Duo". Variety. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
9. ^ Williams, Michael (October 7, 1998). "Par Int'l TV team's ready for primetime showing". Variety. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
10. ^ Grego, Melissa (November 20, 2000). "Lions Gate Fords new TV streams". Variety. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
11. ^ "CBS structures new marketing unit" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 17, 1984. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
12. ^ "Vietnam revisited" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 24, 1985. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
13. ^ Harmetz, Aljean (November 23, 1985). "Abc, Cbs Drop Movie Interests". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
14. ^ "In Brief" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 24, 1986. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
15. ^ "In Brief" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 25, 1988. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
16. ^ CBS B'cast, MGM/UA Enter 'Twilight Zone' Worldwide Morrie Gelman, 2 September 1987, Variety, pages 53 & 66
17. ^ CBS B'cast Intl. Buys Cohn Rights; 'Rather' To TMC, 28 October 1987, Variety, page 68
18. ^ Guider, Elizabeth (September 24, 1997). "Eye on the world". Variety. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
19. ^ "Exec Shuffle". Variety. November 17, 1998. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
20. ^ Dempsey, John (August 11, 2004). "Viacom will unite global TV efforts". Variety. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
21. ^ "CBS FINALChello Zone partnership press release". Chello Zone. Chello Media. September 14, 2009. Archived from the original (DOC) on July 24, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
22. ^ "CBS to launch UK channels with Chellomedia". Broadcastnow. September 14, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
23. ^ "CBS channels to launch in UK". Broadcastnow. October 1, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
24. ^ "Zone Horror rebrands as Horror Channel". Broadband TV News. March 31, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
25. ^ James, Meg (August 25, 2010). "CBS goes down under and takes minority stake in Australian TV venture". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
26. ^ "CBS Corporation Completes Acquisition Of Ten Network" (PDF). Ten Network Holdings. November 16, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 16, 2017. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
27. ^ Clover, Julian (August 1, 2012). "CBS and Chellomedia take entertainment across EMEA". Broadband TV News. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
28. ^ Weingroff, Jennifer (September 16, 2009). "Reed Manville To Oversee International Channel For CBS Studios International" (Press release). CBS Studios International. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2010.

## External links

[edit]

* 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)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template