Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1 (click to see context) from:
[[redirect:Creator/ViacomCBS]]
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,3 (click to see context) from:
[[index]]
[[/index]]
[[/index]]
to:
[[/index]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1 (click to see context) from:
[[redirect:Creator/ViacomCBS]]
to:
[[/index]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Basically the same company now, the page is basically a copy.
Changed line(s) 1,58 (click to see context) from:
%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1540230601028741700
%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.
%%
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/viacomcbs_logo.png]]
%%
%% Caption removed per Caption Repair thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900&page=36#893
%% Please see the thread to discuss a new caption.
%%
[=ViacomCBS=] is a major American entertainment company based in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity. Their name is a portmanteau of Viacom, a media conglomerate originally founded in 1952, and Creator/{{CBS}}.
In 2006, Viacom would become "Creator/{{CBS}} Corporation" after spinning off a new company under the Viacom name. This new incarnation of Viacom consisted of [[Creator/{{Paramount}} Paramount Pictures]], and cable networks, such as Creator/{{MTV}}, Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}, Creator/ComedyCentral and Creator/{{BET}}, among other properties. CBS Corp would retain Creator/{{Showtime}}, Creator/PopTV (formerly [[Magazine/TVGuide TVGN]]), and of course, [[Creator/{{CBS}} The Eye]].
Both Viacom and CBS Corp were majorly held by National Amusements, a theatre chain operator and holding company. After years of negotiations, and amidst a changing entertainment landscape, the two companies would re-unite under its current name in December 2019.
The 2006 Viacom [[NeverLiveItDown is infamous among many]] Website/YouTube users for removing videos[[note]] and banning the user's [=YouTube=] account, not to mention requesting access to users' view history in its lawsuit against [=YouTube=], hinting that it would start coming after [=YouTubers=] personally. This of course did not fly in court.[[/note]] and for attacking ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fan sites, in large part because of former head Dauman's utter hatred toward digital media.
!!Beginnings (1952-2005)
The original Viacom started as CBS's [[UsefulNotes/{{Syndication}} "film sales"]] division in the mid-1950s, founded to sell some of the network's biggest hits into the syndication market. Back then, CBS had a policy of either owning its shows outright or purchasing the distribution rights, making it so that most of CBS's output from 1950 to 1970 ended being syndicated by CBS as well. Creator/{{NBC}} and Creator/{{ABC}} also established their own "film sales" divisions around the same time with the same practices.
This changed in 1971, when the FCC adopted the "fin-syn" rule, which stated that television networks could no longer syndicate their own shows. (This rule has since been repealed.) As a result, CBS decided to spin its sales division off. (The other two networks did the same, with ABC Films becoming Worldvision Enterprises and NBC selling its film library except ''Series/YouBetYourLife'' to National Telefilm Associates.) Following this lead, Viacom became one of the busiest syndicators in the USA. Armed with huge hits such as ''Series/ILoveLucy'', ''Series/TheAndyGriffithShow'', ''Series/TheDickVanDykeShow'', ''Series/HawaiiFiveO'' and ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', Viacom was doing well for itself by the early 1980s, and was looking to expand.
Its first big purchase was MTV Networks[[note]]parent of MTV and Nickelodeon, and then co-owned by what was then the parent company of Creator/WarnerBros, Warner Communications, and, of all companies, American Express; MTV, Nick and Creator/TheMovieChannel had their roots in Warner's experimental and revolutionary ''QUBE'' interactive cable TV service[[/note]] in 1985. They already owned another Warner-Amex network, Creator/TheMovieChannel, after merging it with their own Creator/{{Showtime}} pay-TV service. Later, Viacom got the distribution rights to ''Series/TheCosbyShow'', still a massive hit at the time and a huge potential money maker. The really big purchases came later though after the company fell under the control of theatre magnate Sumner M. Redstone, as Viacom successfully devoured Creator/{{Paramount}} in 1994, Blockbuster Video the same year and [[Creator/AaronSpelling Spelling Entertainment Group]] [[note]]which, aside from Spelling's own output, held the rights to a huge back catalog; Spelling had purchased Creator/RepublicPictures (formerly NTA; ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'', pre-1973 NBC shows, Paramount's animated shorts, etc.) and Worldvision Enterprises (pre-1973 ABC shows, most of Quinn Martin's library) in 1994 and 1988, respectively[[/note]] in 1999 (it had already acquired 78% of Spelling via the Blockbuster deal) and finally its own former parent, CBS, in 2000, though its last major purchase was that of BET in 2001.
!!Split from CBS (2005-2017)
In 2005, however, it was decided that Viacom should be split in two. The rationale given at the time was that MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount were "hot" and the rest of CBS was more "cool", as far as growth was concerned. Viacom spun off MTV Networks and Paramount as a "new" Viacom that took the name, and then the old Viacom renamed itself CBS Corporation. (Paramount Television and its library was kept by CBS, separating it from the movie studio. It was soon merged with CBS' in-house studio to form CBS Paramount Television. The studio is now named CBS Television Studios.) However, many people actually believed that the real reason for the split was a result of declining revenues caused by bad publicity stemming from Music/JanetJackson's WardrobeMalfunction during the half-time show for Super Bowl XXXVIII (which was produced by MTV, whom the NFL has banned from ever producing another half-time show; the de-merger conveniently separated MTV from CBS), and a report on ''Series/SixtyMinutes'' spinoff show ''60 Minutes II'' questioning UsefulNotes/GeorgeWBush's service in the National Guard, which later turned out to be forged. The separation was also a Solomon-esque resolution to an intra-company "bake-off" between [=co-COOs=] Les Moonves and Tom Freston to replace Sumner Redstone, the majority owner of the company, as CEO. Moonves was still the CEO of CBS Corporation until 2018, when he was forced out amid sexual harassment allegations, while post-separation Viacom CEO Freston was fired several years afterward and replaced with Philippe Dauman, a Viacom director and close friend of Redstone.
Dauman's run as CEO of Viacom marked a bumpy road; while the company was successful in acquiring the ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise from creators Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, a strained relationship between Dauman and both sides of Creator/DreamWorks SKG led to their bosses, Creator/StevenSpielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, shedding Paramount for Disney and Fox, respectively (although both [=DreamWorks=] branches would later join Creator/{{Universal}}). Viacom's intention to move further into animation hit a speed bump after Katzenberg and Creator/DreamWorksAnimation bolted from the firm, and tensions finally reached a boiling point in 2016 when, after several steep drops in the stock market, Sumner's very estranged daughter, Shari Redstone, returned to the picture. Sumner, who is now in his 90's, threw Dauman and partner George Abrams off his trust, a move that has incurred a high-profile lawsuit from Dauman; the feud between the two former friends unceremoniously ended Dauman's tenure at Viacom and got the board of directors overhauled in what the press called "a Series/GameOfThrones".
!!Restructuring and reunion with CBS (2017-present)
In 2017, in an effort to turn its fortunes around, Viacom CEO Bob Bakish announced a new strategy that saw the company put all attention and resources behind six "flagship" brands: MTV, Nickelodeon, Creator/NickJr, BET, Comedy Central, and Paramount. Creator/SpikeTV was relaunched as Creator/ParamountNetwork in 2018 in order to bring it in line with the strategy. The company would also acquire another franchise for Nick in the ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'' and ''ComicStrip/USAcres'' [=IPs=] in August 2019.
Viacom has also taken a dive into the streaming world with its purchase of Creator/PlutoTV in 2019, a free service modeled after cable television but with primarily internet-sourced content. Instead of following the recent trend of launching all-encompassing [=SVODs=] to compete with Creator/{{Netflix}} and Creator/{{Amazon}}, Viacom initially co-produced and distributed original programming with third-party outlets such as [[Website/{{Facebook}} Facebook Watch]] and Creator/{{VRV}}.
On August 13, 2019, [[https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/08/13/cbs-and-viacom-reach-merger-deal.html an agreement was reached]] in-which Viacom would merge with [=CBS=] Corporation, uniting the two companies for the first time since 2005. Rumors about this have been swirling for years and there have been attempts at a re-merger in the past, but it was the ousting of Les Moonves in 2018 over sexual misconduct allegations that opened the doors to further discussion in June 2019. The deal was officially closed on December 4, 2019, with the combined entity being branded as Creator/ViacomCBS. National Amusements retains majority control of the combined firm.
On December 20, 2019, [=ViacomCBS=] announced its first acquisition since the re-merger, acquiring a 49% stake in Creator/{{Miramax}} from beIN Media Group. This move would add a catalog of over 700 films to the Paramount Pictures library, including ''Film/{{Clerks}}'', ''Film/PulpFiction'' and ''Film/GoodWillHunting''.
In February 2020, [=ViacomCBS=] announced plans to relaunch Creator/CBSAllAccess under a new name and bring together content from the rest of the conglomerate's family of brands, including Pluto TV and Showtime, effectively turning the service into a direct competitor to Creator/DisneyPlus, Creator/HBOMax, and Creator/{{Peacock}}. Several months later, [=ViacomCBS=] announced an expanded carriage agreement with [=YouTube=] TV that will see Viacom's legacy cable networks join CBS, Pop TV and the Showtime networks on the platform, as well as the forthcoming CBS All Access relaunch.
!!Besides being a syndicator of reruns, the original Viacom has also produced and/or distributed several shows by itself:
[[index]]
* ''[[Series/DoubleDare1986 Celebrity Double Dare]]'' (failed 1987 pilot with adults and celebrities playing a version of Nick's quintessential game show with all the mess and fun taken away; hosted by Caitlyn Jenner, who also hosted some non-celebrity pilots; soon after, ''Double Dare'' would enter syndication (mainly on and co-syndicated by Creator/{{Fox}} Television Stations))
* '' Series/GreatestHeroesOfTheBible''
* ''Series/DiagnosisMurder''
* ''Series/{{Ed}}'' (bizarrely under the byline "A Paramount Company"; this was because of Viacom's production arm having been put under Paramount TV at that point)
* ''Series/FindersKeepers'' (1987-89 syndicated run; also w/ Fox Television Stations)
* ''Series/TheMaster''
* ''Series/{{Matlock}}''
* The ''Franchise/PerryMason'' reunion movies, starting with "Perry Mason Returns".
* ''Series/RemoteControl'' (1989-90 syndicated run)
* Various other reunion vehicles based on old CBS shows, such as "Film/ReturnToMayberry".
* ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch''
* ''Series/SplitSecond'' (1986-87 revival; w/ Hatos-Hall and several Canadian TV stations)
* ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperboy'' (TV distribution only in North America, which played a big part in the series being ScrewedByTheLawyers)
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow'' (TV distribution only)
* ''Series/YouDontSay'' (1978-79 syndicated run)
[[/index]]
----
%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.
%%
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/viacomcbs_logo.png]]
%%
%% Caption removed per Caption Repair thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900&page=36#893
%% Please see the thread to discuss a new caption.
%%
[=ViacomCBS=] is a major American entertainment company based in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity. Their name is a portmanteau of Viacom, a media conglomerate originally founded in 1952, and Creator/{{CBS}}.
In 2006, Viacom would become "Creator/{{CBS}} Corporation" after spinning off a new company under the Viacom name. This new incarnation of Viacom consisted of [[Creator/{{Paramount}} Paramount Pictures]], and cable networks, such as Creator/{{MTV}}, Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}, Creator/ComedyCentral and Creator/{{BET}}, among other properties. CBS Corp would retain Creator/{{Showtime}}, Creator/PopTV (formerly [[Magazine/TVGuide TVGN]]), and of course, [[Creator/{{CBS}} The Eye]].
Both Viacom and CBS Corp were majorly held by National Amusements, a theatre chain operator and holding company. After years of negotiations, and amidst a changing entertainment landscape, the two companies would re-unite under its current name in December 2019.
The 2006 Viacom [[NeverLiveItDown is infamous among many]] Website/YouTube users for removing videos[[note]] and banning the user's [=YouTube=] account, not to mention requesting access to users' view history in its lawsuit against [=YouTube=], hinting that it would start coming after [=YouTubers=] personally. This of course did not fly in court.[[/note]] and for attacking ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fan sites, in large part because of former head Dauman's utter hatred toward digital media.
!!Beginnings (1952-2005)
The original Viacom started as CBS's [[UsefulNotes/{{Syndication}} "film sales"]] division in the mid-1950s, founded to sell some of the network's biggest hits into the syndication market. Back then, CBS had a policy of either owning its shows outright or purchasing the distribution rights, making it so that most of CBS's output from 1950 to 1970 ended being syndicated by CBS as well. Creator/{{NBC}} and Creator/{{ABC}} also established their own "film sales" divisions around the same time with the same practices.
This changed in 1971, when the FCC adopted the "fin-syn" rule, which stated that television networks could no longer syndicate their own shows. (This rule has since been repealed.) As a result, CBS decided to spin its sales division off. (The other two networks did the same, with ABC Films becoming Worldvision Enterprises and NBC selling its film library except ''Series/YouBetYourLife'' to National Telefilm Associates.) Following this lead, Viacom became one of the busiest syndicators in the USA. Armed with huge hits such as ''Series/ILoveLucy'', ''Series/TheAndyGriffithShow'', ''Series/TheDickVanDykeShow'', ''Series/HawaiiFiveO'' and ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', Viacom was doing well for itself by the early 1980s, and was looking to expand.
Its first big purchase was MTV Networks[[note]]parent of MTV and Nickelodeon, and then co-owned by what was then the parent company of Creator/WarnerBros, Warner Communications, and, of all companies, American Express; MTV, Nick and Creator/TheMovieChannel had their roots in Warner's experimental and revolutionary ''QUBE'' interactive cable TV service[[/note]] in 1985. They already owned another Warner-Amex network, Creator/TheMovieChannel, after merging it with their own Creator/{{Showtime}} pay-TV service. Later, Viacom got the distribution rights to ''Series/TheCosbyShow'', still a massive hit at the time and a huge potential money maker. The really big purchases came later though after the company fell under the control of theatre magnate Sumner M. Redstone, as Viacom successfully devoured Creator/{{Paramount}} in 1994, Blockbuster Video the same year and [[Creator/AaronSpelling Spelling Entertainment Group]] [[note]]which, aside from Spelling's own output, held the rights to a huge back catalog; Spelling had purchased Creator/RepublicPictures (formerly NTA; ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'', pre-1973 NBC shows, Paramount's animated shorts, etc.) and Worldvision Enterprises (pre-1973 ABC shows, most of Quinn Martin's library) in 1994 and 1988, respectively[[/note]] in 1999 (it had already acquired 78% of Spelling via the Blockbuster deal) and finally its own former parent, CBS, in 2000, though its last major purchase was that of BET in 2001.
!!Split from CBS (2005-2017)
In 2005, however, it was decided that Viacom should be split in two. The rationale given at the time was that MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount were "hot" and the rest of CBS was more "cool", as far as growth was concerned. Viacom spun off MTV Networks and Paramount as a "new" Viacom that took the name, and then the old Viacom renamed itself CBS Corporation. (Paramount Television and its library was kept by CBS, separating it from the movie studio. It was soon merged with CBS' in-house studio to form CBS Paramount Television. The studio is now named CBS Television Studios.) However, many people actually believed that the real reason for the split was a result of declining revenues caused by bad publicity stemming from Music/JanetJackson's WardrobeMalfunction during the half-time show for Super Bowl XXXVIII (which was produced by MTV, whom the NFL has banned from ever producing another half-time show; the de-merger conveniently separated MTV from CBS), and a report on ''Series/SixtyMinutes'' spinoff show ''60 Minutes II'' questioning UsefulNotes/GeorgeWBush's service in the National Guard, which later turned out to be forged. The separation was also a Solomon-esque resolution to an intra-company "bake-off" between [=co-COOs=] Les Moonves and Tom Freston to replace Sumner Redstone, the majority owner of the company, as CEO. Moonves was still the CEO of CBS Corporation until 2018, when he was forced out amid sexual harassment allegations, while post-separation Viacom CEO Freston was fired several years afterward and replaced with Philippe Dauman, a Viacom director and close friend of Redstone.
Dauman's run as CEO of Viacom marked a bumpy road; while the company was successful in acquiring the ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise from creators Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, a strained relationship between Dauman and both sides of Creator/DreamWorks SKG led to their bosses, Creator/StevenSpielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, shedding Paramount for Disney and Fox, respectively (although both [=DreamWorks=] branches would later join Creator/{{Universal}}). Viacom's intention to move further into animation hit a speed bump after Katzenberg and Creator/DreamWorksAnimation bolted from the firm, and tensions finally reached a boiling point in 2016 when, after several steep drops in the stock market, Sumner's very estranged daughter, Shari Redstone, returned to the picture. Sumner, who is now in his 90's, threw Dauman and partner George Abrams off his trust, a move that has incurred a high-profile lawsuit from Dauman; the feud between the two former friends unceremoniously ended Dauman's tenure at Viacom and got the board of directors overhauled in what the press called "a Series/GameOfThrones".
!!Restructuring and reunion with CBS (2017-present)
In 2017, in an effort to turn its fortunes around, Viacom CEO Bob Bakish announced a new strategy that saw the company put all attention and resources behind six "flagship" brands: MTV, Nickelodeon, Creator/NickJr, BET, Comedy Central, and Paramount. Creator/SpikeTV was relaunched as Creator/ParamountNetwork in 2018 in order to bring it in line with the strategy. The company would also acquire another franchise for Nick in the ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'' and ''ComicStrip/USAcres'' [=IPs=] in August 2019.
Viacom has also taken a dive into the streaming world with its purchase of Creator/PlutoTV in 2019, a free service modeled after cable television but with primarily internet-sourced content. Instead of following the recent trend of launching all-encompassing [=SVODs=] to compete with Creator/{{Netflix}} and Creator/{{Amazon}}, Viacom initially co-produced and distributed original programming with third-party outlets such as [[Website/{{Facebook}} Facebook Watch]] and Creator/{{VRV}}.
On August 13, 2019, [[https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/08/13/cbs-and-viacom-reach-merger-deal.html an agreement was reached]] in-which Viacom would merge with [=CBS=] Corporation, uniting the two companies for the first time since 2005. Rumors about this have been swirling for years and there have been attempts at a re-merger in the past, but it was the ousting of Les Moonves in 2018 over sexual misconduct allegations that opened the doors to further discussion in June 2019. The deal was officially closed on December 4, 2019, with the combined entity being branded as Creator/ViacomCBS. National Amusements retains majority control of the combined firm.
On December 20, 2019, [=ViacomCBS=] announced its first acquisition since the re-merger, acquiring a 49% stake in Creator/{{Miramax}} from beIN Media Group. This move would add a catalog of over 700 films to the Paramount Pictures library, including ''Film/{{Clerks}}'', ''Film/PulpFiction'' and ''Film/GoodWillHunting''.
In February 2020, [=ViacomCBS=] announced plans to relaunch Creator/CBSAllAccess under a new name and bring together content from the rest of the conglomerate's family of brands, including Pluto TV and Showtime, effectively turning the service into a direct competitor to Creator/DisneyPlus, Creator/HBOMax, and Creator/{{Peacock}}. Several months later, [=ViacomCBS=] announced an expanded carriage agreement with [=YouTube=] TV that will see Viacom's legacy cable networks join CBS, Pop TV and the Showtime networks on the platform, as well as the forthcoming CBS All Access relaunch.
!!Besides being a syndicator of reruns, the original Viacom has also produced and/or distributed several shows by itself:
[[index]]
* ''[[Series/DoubleDare1986 Celebrity Double Dare]]'' (failed 1987 pilot with adults and celebrities playing a version of Nick's quintessential game show with all the mess and fun taken away; hosted by Caitlyn Jenner, who also hosted some non-celebrity pilots; soon after, ''Double Dare'' would enter syndication (mainly on and co-syndicated by Creator/{{Fox}} Television Stations))
* '' Series/GreatestHeroesOfTheBible''
* ''Series/DiagnosisMurder''
* ''Series/{{Ed}}'' (bizarrely under the byline "A Paramount Company"; this was because of Viacom's production arm having been put under Paramount TV at that point)
* ''Series/FindersKeepers'' (1987-89 syndicated run; also w/ Fox Television Stations)
* ''Series/TheMaster''
* ''Series/{{Matlock}}''
* The ''Franchise/PerryMason'' reunion movies, starting with "Perry Mason Returns".
* ''Series/RemoteControl'' (1989-90 syndicated run)
* Various other reunion vehicles based on old CBS shows, such as "Film/ReturnToMayberry".
* ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch''
* ''Series/SplitSecond'' (1986-87 revival; w/ Hatos-Hall and several Canadian TV stations)
* ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperboy'' (TV distribution only in North America, which played a big part in the series being ScrewedByTheLawyers)
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow'' (TV distribution only)
* ''Series/YouDontSay'' (1978-79 syndicated run)
[[/index]]
----
to:
%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.
%%
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/viacomcbs_logo.png]]
%%
%% Caption removed per Caption Repair thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900&page=36#893
%% Please see the thread to discuss a new caption.
%%
[=ViacomCBS=] is a major American entertainment company based in UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity. Their name is a portmanteau of Viacom, a media conglomerate originally founded in 1952, and Creator/{{CBS}}.
In 2006, Viacom would become "Creator/{{CBS}} Corporation" after spinning off a new company under the Viacom name. This new incarnation of Viacom consisted of [[Creator/{{Paramount}} Paramount Pictures]], and cable networks, such as Creator/{{MTV}}, Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}, Creator/ComedyCentral and Creator/{{BET}}, among other properties. CBS Corp would retain Creator/{{Showtime}}, Creator/PopTV (formerly [[Magazine/TVGuide TVGN]]), and of course, [[Creator/{{CBS}} The Eye]].
Both Viacom and CBS Corp were majorly held by National Amusements, a theatre chain operator and holding company. After years of negotiations, and amidst a changing entertainment landscape, the two companies would re-unite under its current name in December 2019.
The 2006 Viacom [[NeverLiveItDown is infamous among many]] Website/YouTube users for removing videos[[note]] and banning the user's [=YouTube=] account, not to mention requesting access to users' view history in its lawsuit against [=YouTube=], hinting that it would start coming after [=YouTubers=] personally. This of course did not fly in court.[[/note]] and for attacking ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fan sites, in large part because of former head Dauman's utter hatred toward digital media.
!!Beginnings (1952-2005)
The original Viacom started as CBS's [[UsefulNotes/{{Syndication}} "film sales"]] division in the mid-1950s, founded to sell some of the network's biggest hits into the syndication market. Back then, CBS had a policy of either owning its shows outright or purchasing the distribution rights, making it so that most of CBS's output from 1950 to 1970 ended being syndicated by CBS as well. Creator/{{NBC}} and Creator/{{ABC}} also established their own "film sales" divisions around the same time with the same practices.
This changed in 1971, when the FCC adopted the "fin-syn" rule, which stated that television networks could no longer syndicate their own shows. (This rule has since been repealed.) As a result, CBS decided to spin its sales division off. (The other two networks did the same, with ABC Films becoming Worldvision Enterprises and NBC selling its film library except ''Series/YouBetYourLife'' to National Telefilm Associates.) Following this lead, Viacom became one of the busiest syndicators in the USA. Armed with huge hits such as ''Series/ILoveLucy'', ''Series/TheAndyGriffithShow'', ''Series/TheDickVanDykeShow'', ''Series/HawaiiFiveO'' and ''Series/TheMaryTylerMooreShow'', Viacom was doing well for itself by the early 1980s, and was looking to expand.
Its first big purchase was MTV Networks[[note]]parent of MTV and Nickelodeon, and then co-owned by what was then the parent company of Creator/WarnerBros, Warner Communications, and, of all companies, American Express; MTV, Nick and Creator/TheMovieChannel had their roots in Warner's experimental and revolutionary ''QUBE'' interactive cable TV service[[/note]] in 1985. They already owned another Warner-Amex network, Creator/TheMovieChannel, after merging it with their own Creator/{{Showtime}} pay-TV service. Later, Viacom got the distribution rights to ''Series/TheCosbyShow'', still a massive hit at the time and a huge potential money maker. The really big purchases came later though after the company fell under the control of theatre magnate Sumner M. Redstone, as Viacom successfully devoured Creator/{{Paramount}} in 1994, Blockbuster Video the same year and [[Creator/AaronSpelling Spelling Entertainment Group]] [[note]]which, aside from Spelling's own output, held the rights to a huge back catalog; Spelling had purchased Creator/RepublicPictures (formerly NTA; ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'', pre-1973 NBC shows, Paramount's animated shorts, etc.) and Worldvision Enterprises (pre-1973 ABC shows, most of Quinn Martin's library) in 1994 and 1988, respectively[[/note]] in 1999 (it had already acquired 78% of Spelling via the Blockbuster deal) and finally its own former parent, CBS, in 2000, though its last major purchase was that of BET in 2001.
!!Split from CBS (2005-2017)
In 2005, however, it was decided that Viacom should be split in two. The rationale given at the time was that MTV, Nickelodeon and Paramount were "hot" and the rest of CBS was more "cool", as far as growth was concerned. Viacom spun off MTV Networks and Paramount as a "new" Viacom that took the name, and then the old Viacom renamed itself CBS Corporation. (Paramount Television and its library was kept by CBS, separating it from the movie studio. It was soon merged with CBS' in-house studio to form CBS Paramount Television. The studio is now named CBS Television Studios.) However, many people actually believed that the real reason for the split was a result of declining revenues caused by bad publicity stemming from Music/JanetJackson's WardrobeMalfunction during the half-time show for Super Bowl XXXVIII (which was produced by MTV, whom the NFL has banned from ever producing another half-time show; the de-merger conveniently separated MTV from CBS), and a report on ''Series/SixtyMinutes'' spinoff show ''60 Minutes II'' questioning UsefulNotes/GeorgeWBush's service in the National Guard, which later turned out to be forged. The separation was also a Solomon-esque resolution to an intra-company "bake-off" between [=co-COOs=] Les Moonves and Tom Freston to replace Sumner Redstone, the majority owner of the company, as CEO. Moonves was still the CEO of CBS Corporation until 2018, when he was forced out amid sexual harassment allegations, while post-separation Viacom CEO Freston was fired several years afterward and replaced with Philippe Dauman, a Viacom director and close friend of Redstone.
Dauman's run as CEO of Viacom marked a bumpy road; while the company was successful in acquiring the ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise from creators Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, a strained relationship between Dauman and both sides of Creator/DreamWorks SKG led to their bosses, Creator/StevenSpielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg, shedding Paramount for Disney and Fox, respectively (although both [=DreamWorks=] branches would later join Creator/{{Universal}}). Viacom's intention to move further into animation hit a speed bump after Katzenberg and Creator/DreamWorksAnimation bolted from the firm, and tensions finally reached a boiling point in 2016 when, after several steep drops in the stock market, Sumner's very estranged daughter, Shari Redstone, returned to the picture. Sumner, who is now in his 90's, threw Dauman and partner George Abrams off his trust, a move that has incurred a high-profile lawsuit from Dauman; the feud between the two former friends unceremoniously ended Dauman's tenure at Viacom and got the board of directors overhauled in what the press called "a Series/GameOfThrones".
!!Restructuring and reunion with CBS (2017-present)
In 2017, in an effort to turn its fortunes around, Viacom CEO Bob Bakish announced a new strategy that saw the company put all attention and resources behind six "flagship" brands: MTV, Nickelodeon, Creator/NickJr, BET, Comedy Central, and Paramount. Creator/SpikeTV was relaunched as Creator/ParamountNetwork in 2018 in order to bring it in line with the strategy. The company would also acquire another franchise for Nick in the ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'' and ''ComicStrip/USAcres'' [=IPs=] in August 2019.
Viacom has also taken a dive into the streaming world with its purchase of Creator/PlutoTV in 2019, a free service modeled after cable television but with primarily internet-sourced content. Instead of following the recent trend of launching all-encompassing [=SVODs=] to compete with Creator/{{Netflix}} and Creator/{{Amazon}}, Viacom initially co-produced and distributed original programming with third-party outlets such as [[Website/{{Facebook}} Facebook Watch]] and Creator/{{VRV}}.
On August 13, 2019, [[https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/08/13/cbs-and-viacom-reach-merger-deal.html an agreement was reached]] in-which Viacom would merge with [=CBS=] Corporation, uniting the two companies for the first time since 2005. Rumors about this have been swirling for years and there have been attempts at a re-merger in the past, but it was the ousting of Les Moonves in 2018 over sexual misconduct allegations that opened the doors to further discussion in June 2019. The deal was officially closed on December 4, 2019, with the combined entity being branded as Creator/ViacomCBS. National Amusements retains majority control of the combined firm.
On December 20, 2019, [=ViacomCBS=] announced its first acquisition since the re-merger, acquiring a 49% stake in Creator/{{Miramax}} from beIN Media Group. This move would add a catalog of over 700 films to the Paramount Pictures library, including ''Film/{{Clerks}}'', ''Film/PulpFiction'' and ''Film/GoodWillHunting''.
In February 2020, [=ViacomCBS=] announced plans to relaunch Creator/CBSAllAccess under a new name and bring together content from the rest of the conglomerate's family of brands, including Pluto TV and Showtime, effectively turning the service into a direct competitor to Creator/DisneyPlus, Creator/HBOMax, and Creator/{{Peacock}}. Several months later, [=ViacomCBS=] announced an expanded carriage agreement with [=YouTube=] TV that will see Viacom's legacy cable networks join CBS, Pop TV and the Showtime networks on the platform, as well as the forthcoming CBS All Access relaunch.
!!Besides being a syndicator of reruns, the original Viacom has also produced and/or distributed several shows by itself:
[[index]]
* ''[[Series/DoubleDare1986 Celebrity Double Dare]]'' (failed 1987 pilot with adults and celebrities playing a version of Nick's quintessential game show with all the mess and fun taken away; hosted by Caitlyn Jenner, who also hosted some non-celebrity pilots; soon after, ''Double Dare'' would enter syndication (mainly on and co-syndicated by Creator/{{Fox}} Television Stations))
* '' Series/GreatestHeroesOfTheBible''
* ''Series/DiagnosisMurder''
* ''Series/{{Ed}}'' (bizarrely under the byline "A Paramount Company"; this was because of Viacom's production arm having been put under Paramount TV at that point)
* ''Series/FindersKeepers'' (1987-89 syndicated run; also w/ Fox Television Stations)
* ''Series/TheMaster''
* ''Series/{{Matlock}}''
* The ''Franchise/PerryMason'' reunion movies, starting with "Perry Mason Returns".
* ''Series/RemoteControl'' (1989-90 syndicated run)
* Various other reunion vehicles based on old CBS shows, such as "Film/ReturnToMayberry".
* ''Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch''
* ''Series/SplitSecond'' (1986-87 revival; w/ Hatos-Hall and several Canadian TV stations)
* ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperboy'' (TV distribution only in North America, which played a big part in the series being ScrewedByTheLawyers)
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosSuperShow'' (TV distribution only)
* ''Series/YouDontSay'' (1978-79 syndicated run)
[[/index]]
----
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 34,35 (click to see context) from:
On August 13, 2019, [[https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/08/13/cbs-and-viacom-reach-merger-deal.html an agreement was reached]] in-which Viacom would merge with [=CBS=] Corporation, uniting the two companies for the first time since 2005. Rumors about this have been swirling for years and there have been attempts at a re-merger in the past, but it was the ousting of Les Moonves in 2018 over sexual misconduct allegations that opened the doors to further discussion in June 2019. The deal was officially closed on December 4, 2019, with the combined entity being branded as [=ViacomCBS=]. National Amusements retains majority control of the combined firm.
to:
On August 13, 2019, [[https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/08/13/cbs-and-viacom-reach-merger-deal.html an agreement was reached]] in-which Viacom would merge with [=CBS=] Corporation, uniting the two companies for the first time since 2005. Rumors about this have been swirling for years and there have been attempts at a re-merger in the past, but it was the ousting of Les Moonves in 2018 over sexual misconduct allegations that opened the doors to further discussion in June 2019. The deal was officially closed on December 4, 2019, with the combined entity being branded as [=ViacomCBS=].Creator/ViacomCBS. National Amusements retains majority control of the combined firm.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 58,85 (click to see context) :
!![=ViacomCBS=] owns the following assets (with their own pages):
[[index]]
* Creator/{{BET}}
* Creator/{{CBS}}
** Creator/CBSAllAccess
* Creator/TheCW (50%): co-owned with Creator/WarnerMedia
* Creator/ChannelFive (UK terrestrial channel)
* Creator/{{CMT}}
* Creator/ComedyCentral
* Creator/{{LOGO}}
* Creator/MiramaxFilms (49%): co-owned with beIN
* Creator/{{MTV}}
* Creator/NetworkTen (Australian terrestrial network)
* Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}
** Creator/NickAtNite
** Creator/NickJr
*** Creator/{{Noggin}}
** Creator/TeenNick
*** Creator/NickRewind
** Creator/{{Nicktoons}}
* Creator/{{Paramount}}
* Creator/ParamountNetwork
** Creator/SpikeTV
* Creator/PlutoTV
* Creator/PopTV
* Creator/{{Showtime}}
* Creator/VH1
[[/index]]
[[index]]
* Creator/{{BET}}
* Creator/{{CBS}}
** Creator/CBSAllAccess
* Creator/TheCW (50%): co-owned with Creator/WarnerMedia
* Creator/ChannelFive (UK terrestrial channel)
* Creator/{{CMT}}
* Creator/ComedyCentral
* Creator/{{LOGO}}
* Creator/MiramaxFilms (49%): co-owned with beIN
* Creator/{{MTV}}
* Creator/NetworkTen (Australian terrestrial network)
* Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}
** Creator/NickAtNite
** Creator/NickJr
*** Creator/{{Noggin}}
** Creator/TeenNick
*** Creator/NickRewind
** Creator/{{Nicktoons}}
* Creator/{{Paramount}}
* Creator/ParamountNetwork
** Creator/SpikeTV
* Creator/PlutoTV
* Creator/PopTV
* Creator/{{Showtime}}
* Creator/VH1
[[/index]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 68 (click to see context) from:
* Creator/MiramaxFilms (50%): co-owned with beIN
to:
* Creator/MiramaxFilms (50%): (49%): co-owned with beIN
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* Creator/ChannelFive (UK terrestrial channel)
Added DiffLines:
* Creator/NetworkTen (Australian terrestrial network)
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 30,31 (click to see context) from:
In 2017, in an effort to turn its fortunes around, Viacom put all attention and resources to focus on six brands: MTV, Nickelodeon, Creator/NickJr, BET, Comedy Central, and Paramount. Creator/SpikeTV was relaunched as Creator/ParamountNetwork in 2018 in order to bring it in line with the strategy. The company would also acquire another franchise for Nick in the ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'' and ''ComicStrip/USAcres'' [=IPs=] in August 2019.
to:
In 2017, in an effort to turn its fortunes around, Viacom CEO Bob Bakish announced a new strategy that saw the company put all attention and resources to focus on behind six "flagship" brands: MTV, Nickelodeon, Creator/NickJr, BET, Comedy Central, and Paramount. Creator/SpikeTV was relaunched as Creator/ParamountNetwork in 2018 in order to bring it in line with the strategy. The company would also acquire another franchise for Nick in the ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'' and ''ComicStrip/USAcres'' [=IPs=] in August 2019.
Changed line(s) 36,37 (click to see context) from:
On December 20, 2019, [=ViacomCBS=] acquired a 49% stake in Creator/{{Miramax}} from beIN Media Group, adding a catalog of 700 films to the Paramount Pictures library including ''Film/{{Clerks}}'', ''Film/PulpFiction'' and ''Film/GoodWillHunting''. This became the first acquisition for the company after the re-merger.
to:
On December 20, 2019, [=ViacomCBS=] acquired announced its first acquisition since the re-merger, acquiring a 49% stake in Creator/{{Miramax}} from beIN Media Group, adding Group. This move would add a catalog of over 700 films to the Paramount Pictures library library, including ''Film/{{Clerks}}'', ''Film/PulpFiction'' and ''Film/GoodWillHunting''. This became the first acquisition for the company after the re-merger.
''Film/GoodWillHunting''.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Changed line(s) 29 (click to see context) from:
!!Restructuring and reunion with CBS (2017-2019)
to:
!!Restructuring and reunion with CBS (2017-2019)(2017-present)
Changed line(s) 32,33 (click to see context) from:
Viacom has also taken a dive into the streaming world with its purchase of Creator/PlutoTV in 2019, a free service modeled after cable television but with primarily internet-sourced content. Instead of following the recent trend of launching all-encompassing [=SVODs=] to compete with Creator/{{Netflix}} and Creator/{{Amazon}}, Viacom has instead co-produced and distributed original programming with third-party outlets such as [[Website/{{Facebook}} Facebook Watch]] and Creator/{{VRV}}.
to:
Viacom has also taken a dive into the streaming world with its purchase of Creator/PlutoTV in 2019, a free service modeled after cable television but with primarily internet-sourced content. Instead of following the recent trend of launching all-encompassing [=SVODs=] to compete with Creator/{{Netflix}} and Creator/{{Amazon}}, Viacom has instead initially co-produced and distributed original programming with third-party outlets such as [[Website/{{Facebook}} Facebook Watch]] and Creator/{{VRV}}.
Deleted line(s) 36 (click to see context) :
!!Post re-merger (2019-present)
Changed line(s) 39,40 (click to see context) from:
In February 2020, as part of its post-merger strategy, [=ViacomCBS=] President and CEO Bob Bakish announced that Creator/CBSAllAccess would be relaunched under a new name as an all-encompassing platform showcasing content from the conglomerate's family of brands, similar to Creator/HBOMax and Peacock. The new service, which expects to see a soft launch later in 2020, will include content from Pluto TV and also offer Showtime as part of a premium tier. Several months later, [=ViacomCBS=] formally buried the hatchet with Google and announced an expanded carriage agreement with [=YouTube=] TV that will see all of the company's networks available to stream on the platform, as well as the forthcoming CBS All Access relaunch. Prior to the deal, CBS, Pop TV and the Showtime networks were offered on the platform as part of Google's pre-merger agreement with CBS Corporation (with Showtime being part of a premium tier).
to:
In February 2020, as part of its post-merger strategy, [=ViacomCBS=] President and CEO Bob Bakish announced that plans to relaunch Creator/CBSAllAccess would be relaunched under a new name as an all-encompassing platform showcasing and bring together content from the rest of the conglomerate's family of brands, similar to Creator/HBOMax and Peacock. The new service, which expects to see a soft launch later in 2020, will include content from including Pluto TV and also offer Showtime as part of Showtime, effectively turning the service into a premium tier. direct competitor to Creator/DisneyPlus, Creator/HBOMax, and Creator/{{Peacock}}. Several months later, [=ViacomCBS=] formally buried the hatchet with Google and announced an expanded carriage agreement with [=YouTube=] TV that will see all of the company's Viacom's legacy cable networks available to stream join CBS, Pop TV and the Showtime networks on the platform, as well as the forthcoming CBS All Access relaunch. Prior to the deal, CBS, Pop TV and the Showtime networks were offered on the platform as part of Google's pre-merger agreement with CBS Corporation (with Showtime being part of a premium tier).
relaunch.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 15,16 (click to see context) from:
The 2006 Viacom [[NeverLiveItDown is infamous among many]] Website/YouTube users for removing videos[[note]] and banning the user's [=YouTube=] account, not to mention requesting access to users' view history in its lawsuit against [=YouTube=], hinting that it would start coming after [=YouTubers=] personally. This of course did not fly in court.[[/note]], in large part because of former head Dauman's utter hatred toward digital media. Fortunately, things have started to cool down since his ouster. Before that, it was notorious for attacking ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fan sites.
to:
The 2006 Viacom [[NeverLiveItDown is infamous among many]] Website/YouTube users for removing videos[[note]] and banning the user's [=YouTube=] account, not to mention requesting access to users' view history in its lawsuit against [=YouTube=], hinting that it would start coming after [=YouTubers=] personally. This of course did not fly in court.[[/note]], [[/note]] and for attacking ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fan sites, in large part because of former head Dauman's utter hatred toward digital media. Fortunately, things have started to cool down since his ouster. Before that, it was notorious for attacking ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fan sites.
media.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 61,62 (click to see context) from:
* Creator/{{BET}}: Acquired in 2001, BET is dedicated to programming targeting African-Americans.
* Creator/{{CBS}}: [=ViacomCBS=]' flagship broadcast network and America's most-watched network.
* Creator/{{CBS}}: [=ViacomCBS=]' flagship broadcast network and America's most-watched network.
to:
* Creator/{{BET}}: Acquired in 2001, BET is dedicated to programming targeting African-Americans.
Creator/{{BET}}
*Creator/{{CBS}}: [=ViacomCBS=]' flagship broadcast network and America's most-watched network.Creator/{{CBS}}
*
Changed line(s) 64,67 (click to see context) from:
* Creator/TheCW (50%): Co-owned with Creator/WarnerBros. A broadcast network targeting a younger audience than the older skewing CBS, The network is a merger of Creator/TheWB and former Viacom network Creator/{{UPN}}.
* Creator/{{CMT}}: Acquired in 1999; a CountryMusic turned southern entertainment channel.
* Creator/ComedyCentral: Became part of MTV Networks after Time Warner sold their stake in the channel in 2003.
* Creator/{{LOGO}}: An LGBT-targeting network that launched in 2005.
* Creator/{{CMT}}: Acquired in 1999; a CountryMusic turned southern entertainment channel.
* Creator/ComedyCentral: Became part of MTV Networks after Time Warner sold their stake in the channel in 2003.
* Creator/{{LOGO}}: An LGBT-targeting network that launched in 2005.
to:
* Creator/TheCW (50%): Co-owned co-owned with Creator/WarnerBros. A broadcast network targeting a younger audience than the older skewing CBS, The network is a merger of Creator/TheWB and former Viacom network Creator/{{UPN}}.
Creator/WarnerMedia
*Creator/{{CMT}}: Acquired in 1999; a CountryMusic turned southern entertainment channel.
Creator/{{CMT}}
*Creator/ComedyCentral: Became part of MTV Networks after Time Warner sold their stake in the channel in 2003.
Creator/ComedyCentral
*Creator/{{LOGO}}: An LGBT-targeting network that launched in 2005.Creator/{{LOGO}}
*
*
*
Changed line(s) 69,83 (click to see context) from:
* Creator/{{MTV}}: Acquired in 1987; [=ViacomCBS=]'s flagship young adult/millennial cable network (and the poster child for NetworkDecay). MTV was the first cable network dedicated to music videos but ultimately drifted into programs targeting teenagers as the years went by.
* Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}: Acquired in 1987; a network and brand for kids and family programming.
** Creator/NickAtNite: Nick's nighttime program block focusing on contemporary sitcom reruns. TV Land launched in 1996 as a 24/7 spinoff of Nick at Nite.
** Creator/NickJr: A Preschool-targeting network that replaced Noggin in 2009.
*** Creator/{{Noggin}}: Launched in 1999 as a joint venture between Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop. Sesame sold their stake in 2002 and the brand would eventually go dormant in 2009. In 2015, Noggin was relaunched as a mobile subscription service.
** Creator/TeenNick: Originally launched in 2001 as a teen-oriented program block on Nickelodeon. A similar block, the N, would launch in 2002 as the nighttime branding for Noggin. The N would launch as a full network in 2007, over the space of Nickelodeon Games and Sports, and adopt its current branding in 2009, after the discontinuation of the original "[=TEENick=]" block.
*** Creator/NickRewind: Originally "The 90s Are Series/AllThat". Similar to Nick at Nite, but focused exclusively on Nick programming. Also has a streaming channel on Creator/{{VRV}}.
** Creator/{{Nicktoons}}: Launched in 2002 as Nicktoons TV, Nick's animation network.
* Creator/{{Paramount}}: ViacomCBS's main movie making department.
* Creator/ParamountNetwork: Launched in 2018; Viacom's third attempt at a general entertainment network after TNN in 2000 and Spike in 2015.
** Creator/SpikeTV: A male entertainment channel that launched in 2003. It was originally the Nashville Network when CBS acquired it in 1995, and the National Network from 2000-2003, to prevent overlap with CMT. Spike proper would eventually debut after a lawsuit involving Creator/SpikeLee was settled. Spike would rebrand as Paramount Network in 2018, but international versions still exist. In 2019, Spike would be relaunched in U.S as a pair of streaming channels on Pluto TV.
* Creator/PlutoTV: An ad-supported, free streaming service that works somewhat similarly to cable and satellite. Viacom purchased the service in 2019 and has begun adding channels based on their existing channels to the lineup.
* Creator/PopTV: a fandom-focused, general network entertainment that primarily airs classic and contemporary television dramas sourced from the CBS program libraries, as well as original comedies and reality shows. Essentially CBS' female-targeting DistaffCounterpart to the male-skewing Paramount Network.
* Creator/{{Showtime}}: A premium pay-tv network. As part of the 2019 merger, the Showtime Networks unit would itself merge with BET Networks.
* Creator/VH1: Launched not long before the Warner-Amex sale in 1985 (taking the satellite space of Cable Music Channel, UsefulNotes/TedTurner's failed MTV competitor). Originally a LighterAndSofter MTV, but ultimately warped into a culture-centric entertainment channel, leaning towards a similar but older and female-skewing audience as BET.
* Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}: Acquired in 1987; a network and brand for kids and family programming.
** Creator/NickAtNite: Nick's nighttime program block focusing on contemporary sitcom reruns. TV Land launched in 1996 as a 24/7 spinoff of Nick at Nite.
** Creator/NickJr: A Preschool-targeting network that replaced Noggin in 2009.
*** Creator/{{Noggin}}: Launched in 1999 as a joint venture between Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop. Sesame sold their stake in 2002 and the brand would eventually go dormant in 2009. In 2015, Noggin was relaunched as a mobile subscription service.
** Creator/TeenNick: Originally launched in 2001 as a teen-oriented program block on Nickelodeon. A similar block, the N, would launch in 2002 as the nighttime branding for Noggin. The N would launch as a full network in 2007, over the space of Nickelodeon Games and Sports, and adopt its current branding in 2009, after the discontinuation of the original "[=TEENick=]" block.
*** Creator/NickRewind: Originally "The 90s Are Series/AllThat". Similar to Nick at Nite, but focused exclusively on Nick programming. Also has a streaming channel on Creator/{{VRV}}.
** Creator/{{Nicktoons}}: Launched in 2002 as Nicktoons TV, Nick's animation network.
* Creator/{{Paramount}}: ViacomCBS's main movie making department.
* Creator/ParamountNetwork: Launched in 2018; Viacom's third attempt at a general entertainment network after TNN in 2000 and Spike in 2015.
** Creator/SpikeTV: A male entertainment channel that launched in 2003. It was originally the Nashville Network when CBS acquired it in 1995, and the National Network from 2000-2003, to prevent overlap with CMT. Spike proper would eventually debut after a lawsuit involving Creator/SpikeLee was settled. Spike would rebrand as Paramount Network in 2018, but international versions still exist. In 2019, Spike would be relaunched in U.S as a pair of streaming channels on Pluto TV.
* Creator/PlutoTV: An ad-supported, free streaming service that works somewhat similarly to cable and satellite. Viacom purchased the service in 2019 and has begun adding channels based on their existing channels to the lineup.
* Creator/PopTV: a fandom-focused, general network entertainment that primarily airs classic and contemporary television dramas sourced from the CBS program libraries, as well as original comedies and reality shows. Essentially CBS' female-targeting DistaffCounterpart to the male-skewing Paramount Network.
* Creator/{{Showtime}}: A premium pay-tv network. As part of the 2019 merger, the Showtime Networks unit would itself merge with BET Networks.
* Creator/VH1: Launched not long before the Warner-Amex sale in 1985 (taking the satellite space of Cable Music Channel, UsefulNotes/TedTurner's failed MTV competitor). Originally a LighterAndSofter MTV, but ultimately warped into a culture-centric entertainment channel, leaning towards a similar but older and female-skewing audience as BET.
to:
* Creator/{{MTV}}: Acquired in 1987; [=ViacomCBS=]'s flagship young adult/millennial cable network (and the poster child for NetworkDecay). MTV was the first cable network dedicated to music videos but ultimately drifted into programs targeting teenagers as the years went by.
Creator/{{MTV}}
*Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}: Acquired in 1987; a network and brand for kids and family programming.
Creator/{{Nickelodeon}}
**Creator/NickAtNite: Nick's nighttime program block focusing on contemporary sitcom reruns. TV Land launched in 1996 as a 24/7 spinoff of Nick at Nite.
Creator/NickAtNite
**Creator/NickJr: A Preschool-targeting network that replaced Noggin in 2009.
Creator/NickJr
***Creator/{{Noggin}}: Launched in 1999 as a joint venture between Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop. Sesame sold their stake in 2002 and the brand would eventually go dormant in 2009. In 2015, Noggin was relaunched as a mobile subscription service.
Creator/{{Noggin}}
**Creator/TeenNick: Originally launched in 2001 as a teen-oriented program block on Nickelodeon. A similar block, the N, would launch in 2002 as the nighttime branding for Noggin. The N would launch as a full network in 2007, over the space of Nickelodeon Games and Sports, and adopt its current branding in 2009, after the discontinuation of the original "[=TEENick=]" block.
Creator/TeenNick
***Creator/NickRewind: Originally "The 90s Are Series/AllThat". Similar to Nick at Nite, but focused exclusively on Nick programming. Also has a streaming channel on Creator/{{VRV}}.
Creator/NickRewind
**Creator/{{Nicktoons}}: Launched in 2002 as Nicktoons TV, Nick's animation network.
Creator/{{Nicktoons}}
*Creator/{{Paramount}}: ViacomCBS's main movie making department.
Creator/{{Paramount}}
*Creator/ParamountNetwork: Launched in 2018; Viacom's third attempt at a general entertainment network after TNN in 2000 and Spike in 2015.
Creator/ParamountNetwork
**Creator/SpikeTV: A male entertainment channel that launched in 2003. It was originally the Nashville Network when CBS acquired it in 1995, and the National Network from 2000-2003, to prevent overlap with CMT. Spike proper would eventually debut after a lawsuit involving Creator/SpikeLee was settled. Spike would rebrand as Paramount Network in 2018, but international versions still exist. In 2019, Spike would be relaunched in U.S as a pair of streaming channels on Pluto TV.
Creator/SpikeTV
*Creator/PlutoTV: An ad-supported, free streaming service that works somewhat similarly to cable and satellite. Viacom purchased the service in 2019 and has begun adding channels based on their existing channels to the lineup.
Creator/PlutoTV
*Creator/PopTV: a fandom-focused, general network entertainment that primarily airs classic and contemporary television dramas sourced from the CBS program libraries, as well as original comedies and reality shows. Essentially CBS' female-targeting DistaffCounterpart to the male-skewing Paramount Network.
Creator/PopTV
*Creator/{{Showtime}}: A premium pay-tv network. As part of the 2019 merger, the Showtime Networks unit would itself merge with BET Networks.
Creator/{{Showtime}}
*Creator/VH1: Launched not long before the Warner-Amex sale in 1985 (taking the satellite space of Cable Music Channel, UsefulNotes/TedTurner's failed MTV competitor). Originally a LighterAndSofter MTV, but ultimately warped into a culture-centric entertainment channel, leaning towards a similar but older and female-skewing audience as BET.Creator/VH1
*
**
**
***
**
***
**
*
*
**
*
*
*
*
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 63 (click to see context) from:
* Creator/TheCW 50%: Co-owned with Creator/WarnerBros. A broadcast network targeting a younger audience than the older skewing CBS, The network is a merger of Creator/TheWB and former Viacom network Creator/{{UPN}}.
to:
** Creator/CBSAllAccess
* Creator/TheCW50%: (50%): Co-owned with Creator/WarnerBros. A broadcast network targeting a younger audience than the older skewing CBS, The network is a merger of Creator/TheWB and former Viacom network Creator/{{UPN}}.
* Creator/TheCW
Changed line(s) 67 (click to see context) from:
* Creator/MiramaxFilms 50%: co-owned with beIN
to:
* Creator/MiramaxFilms 50%: (50%): co-owned with beIN
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 67 (click to see context) from:
* Creator/{{Miramax}} 50%: co-owned with beIN
to:
* Creator/{{Miramax}} Creator/MiramaxFilms 50%: co-owned with beIN
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* Creator/{{Miramax}} 50%: co-owned with beIN
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
[[index]]
Changed line(s) 57 (click to see context) from:
to:
[[/index]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[index]]
Added DiffLines:
* Creator/{{Paramount}}: ViacomCBS's main movie making department.
Added DiffLines:
[[/index]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 39,40 (click to see context) from:
In February 2020, as part of its post-merger strategy, [=ViacomCBS=] President and CEO Bob Bakish announced that CBS All Access would be relaunched under a new name as an all-encompassing platform showcasing content from the conglomerate's family of brands, similar to Creator/HBOMax and Peacock. The new service, which expects to see a soft launch later in 2020, will include content from Pluto TV and also offer Showtime as part of a premium tier. Several months later, [=ViacomCBS=] formally buried the hatchet with Google and announced an expanded carriage agreement with [=YouTube=] TV that will see all of the company's networks available to stream on the platform, as well as the forthcoming CBS All Access relaunch. Prior to the deal, CBS, Pop TV and the Showtime networks were offered on the platform as part of Google's pre-merger agreement with CBS Corporation (with Showtime being part of a premium tier).
to:
In February 2020, as part of its post-merger strategy, [=ViacomCBS=] President and CEO Bob Bakish announced that CBS All Access Creator/CBSAllAccess would be relaunched under a new name as an all-encompassing platform showcasing content from the conglomerate's family of brands, similar to Creator/HBOMax and Peacock. The new service, which expects to see a soft launch later in 2020, will include content from Pluto TV and also offer Showtime as part of a premium tier. Several months later, [=ViacomCBS=] formally buried the hatchet with Google and announced an expanded carriage agreement with [=YouTube=] TV that will see all of the company's networks available to stream on the platform, as well as the forthcoming CBS All Access relaunch. Prior to the deal, CBS, Pop TV and the Showtime networks were offered on the platform as part of Google's pre-merger agreement with CBS Corporation (with Showtime being part of a premium tier).
