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Skydance TV

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Skydance TV
Skydance TV Media
TypeDivision
Industry
Predecessor
FoundedDecember 1, 1977; 48 years ago (1977-12-01)
FounderRobert Pittman
Headquarters1515 Broadway,
New York City
,
U.S.
Key peopleGeorge Cheeks (co-chair & Chief Content Officer, Skydance TV)
JB Perrette (co-chair & Chief Business Officer, Skydance TV and Skydance DTC)
Channing Dungey (chairwoman & CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group and Head of cable networks)
Laurel Weir (head of programming)
Brands
ParentSkydance Corporation
Divisions
Subsidiaries
List

Skydance TV is the division of Skydance Corporation that oversees the operations of its television channels and online brands. Formed on October 6, 2026 through the merger of Paramount Skydance TV Media and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks, with the inclusion of Home Box Office, Inc., Paramount Television Studios, and Warner Bros. Television Group.

The division's television assets are managed through four units: CBS Entertainment Group, CNN Worldwide, Discovery Communications, MTV Entertainment Group, Showtime Networks, BET Media Group, Nickelodeon Group, Television Food Network's and the Cartoon Network's. Skydance's international/foreign assets are overseen by Skydance International Networks.

History

[edit]

Paramount line

[edit]

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

[edit]

Paramount Media Networks
Formerly
  • Warner Cable Communications (1977–1979)
  • Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment (1979–1984)
  • MTV Networks (1984–2011)
  • Viacom Media Networks (2011–2019)
  • ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks (2019–2022)
TypeDivision
Industry
PredecessorCBS Cable Networks (2005–2019)
FoundedDecember 1, 1977; 48 years ago (1977-12-01)
FounderRobert Pittman
DefunctOctober 6, 2026; 4 days ago (2026-10-06)
FateMerged with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks
SuccessorSkydance TV
Headquarters1515 Broadway,
New York City
,
U.S.
Brands
Parent
DivisionsParamount Networks International
Subsidiaries
List

Emblem of Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment from 1979 to 1984

Warner Cable Communications was founded on December 1, 1977, by Warner Cable, itself a division of Warner Communications, to launch QUBE, an interactive cable television system that mainly served in the Midwest state. Seeing the potential in the creation of new cable networks, Warner Cable divested QUBE's biggest brands: Star Channel (film), Pinwheel (youths) and Sight on Sound (music), into nationwide outlets. Star Channel began by satellite in January 1979 and was renamed as The Movie Channel by the end of the year. The original channel "C-3", by then known as Pinwheel, became Nickelodeon in April 1979. As a result of these actions, Warner Cable Communications would then be rebranded as Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, becoming a joint venture between Warner Cable and American Express.

1211 Avenue of the Americas, headquarters of the company in early 1980s[1] (now HQ of News Corp and FOX)

In 1980, Warner-Amex formed a joint venture with the now-defunct Cablevision's Rainbow Media (now as AMC Global Media) division to launch Bravo, a cable network dedicated to arts and films, on December 1, 1980. Because of the full control of the channel, however, was sold to Rainbow Media in 1984; NBC would acquire Bravo in 2003, and the channel is now currently owned by Comcast's NBCUniversal.[2]

On August 1, 1981, all-video channel MTV first introduced. In 1983, concerned by the strategic and financial failure of its pay-TV venture The Movie Channel (began to reap the benefits when Time Inc. was having with HBO and Cinemax), WASEC established a joint venture with Viacom, merging TMC with their premium movie network Showtime to form Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc.; WASEC, however, had no operational involvement in the joint venture.

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

[edit]

The original prototype logo for MTV Networks from 1984
First logo of MTV Networks from 1984 to 2005

On June 25, 1984, Warner Communications made the decision to divest its assets to Warner-Amex Cable Entertainment and rebrand it as MTV Networks.[3][4] A year later, Warner would acquire the 50% stake from American Express.[5]

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

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

The company's current headquarters is located at One Astor Plaza

In 1988, the company partnered with fellow Viacom division Viacom Enterprises to handle advertising sales of Superboy, a syndicated television series.[10] The division was later evolved into One World Entertainment in the early 1990s, who partnered to launch a VH1-syndicated series.[11] In 2003, MTV Networks assumed full ownership of Comedy Central from AOL Time Warner.

Second logo of MTV Networks from 2005 to 2011

On December 31, 2005, the remnants of MTV Networks and Showtime Networks were separated following Viacom's split into two entities: CBS Corporation, which retained CBS, UPN, Simon & Schuster and Showtime Networks (Showtime, The Movie Channel, and Flix), and a spun-off company under the Viacom name, which took ownership of Paramount Pictures, BET Networks and MTV Networks (Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and VH1).

Expansion (2011–2019)

[edit]

The logo for Viacom Media Networks from 2011 to 2019

MTV Networks was renamed Viacom Media Networks in 2011. In Fall 2012, media analysts began to report that ratings among some of Viacom's leading brands in the U.S. were experiencing declines in viewership.[12][13] MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon were of most concern to investors as the three account for roughly 50% of Viacom's operating profit, estimated David Bank of RBC Capital Markets.

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

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

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

Reintroduction and re-merger with CBS (2019–2024)

[edit]

First logo of ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks from 2019 to 2020

In August 2019, Viacom announced that it would merge with CBS Corporation, reuniting the two entities under the ViacomCBS name.[26][27] The merger closed on December 4, 2019.[28][29] Announced on November 11, 2019, as part of the re–merger, the Media Networks division was renamed ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, and re-organized.

Second logo of ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks from 2020 to 2022

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

On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS was renamed as Paramount Global, and ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks was renamed Paramount Media Networks.[33] In 2022, MTV Entertainment Group partnered with Second Chance Studios to help formerly incarcerated individuals launch media careers.[34] On November 9, 2022, it was announced that oversight of VH1 would move to the BET Media Group under Scott Mills.[35]

On May 9, 2023, Paramount restructured its U.S. domestic network business.[36] Near the end of 2023, Paramount announced that the mobile apps for Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and Showtime would cease operations at on January 31, 2024. The reason was to encourage users to sign up for Paramount+. The Nickelodeon Group shut down Noggin on July 2 of that same year for the same reason.

Paramount/Skydance merger; reunification with Warner Bros. Discovery (2024–present)

[edit]

On April 29, 2024, President and CEO Bob Bakish was replaced by Brian Robbins, George Cheeks, and Chris McCarthy.[37] This action was the result of Bakish's reported opposition of the Skydance deal.[38] McCarthy was legally designated the company's "interim principal executive officer" in order to comply with SEC regulations stipulating that one person must conduct "the normal course of business".[39]

By July 2, 2024, Skydance renegotiated the deal and reached a preliminary agreement to acquire National Amusements and merge with Paramount.[40] The deal was referred by National Amusements to Paramount's special committee.[41] Also, Paramount reportedly entered talks for a sale of the BET Media Group to buyers led by BET CEO Scott Mills for $1.6-$1.7 billion.[42] Paramount Global and Skydance Media officially merged on August 7, 2025, forming Paramount Skydance.[43] Six days later, it was confirmed that BET Media Group was no longer up for sale and it was transferred from CBS Entertainment Group back to Paramount Media Networks.

On February 27, 2026, Paramount Skydance officially reached the historic deal agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (successor of Warner Communications), that would result in MTV, Nickelodeon, The Movie Channel, and VH1 being brought back under the same umbrella as Warner Bros. Entertainment for the first time in 40 years since the Warner-Amex Cable days.[44] The merger closed on October 6, 2026, forming Skydance Corporation.[45]

On February 28, 2026, Netflix received a $2.8 billion breakup fee from Paramount Skydance after it withdrew its bid to acquire parts of Warner Bros. Discovery, paving the way for Paramount's takeover of the entire WBD's assets.[46]

Warner Bros. Discovery line

[edit]

Turner Entertainment Networks (1976–2019)

[edit]

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks
Formerly
  • Turner Entertainment Networks (1976–2019)
  • WarnerMedia Entertainment (2019–20)
  • WarnerMedia Studios & Networks (2020–22)
  • Warner Bros. Discovery Networks (2022–24)
TypeDivision
Industry
PredecessorsDiscovery Networks U.S.
Turner Broadcasting System
Scripps Networks Interactive
FoundedMarch 4, 2019; 7 years ago (2019-03-04) (original)
May 12, 2022; 4 years ago (2022-05-12) (merger with Discovery Networks)
DefunctOctober 6, 2026; 4 days ago (2026-10-06)
FateMerged with Paramount Media Networks
SuccessorSkydance TV
Headquarters230 Park Avenue South,
New York City
,
U.S.
Area served
United States
Key peopleChanning Dungey (chairwoman and CEO)
Brands
Services
  • Broadcasting
  • Television
Parent
DivisionsWarner Bros. Discovery International
Subsidiaries
List

In 1970, Ted Turner purchased WJRJ-Atlanta, Channel 17, a small, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) station, and renamed it WTCG, for parent company Turner Communications Group.[47][48] During December 1976, WTCG originated the "superstation" concept, transmitting via satellite to cable systems.[40]

Former headquarters of Turner Broadcasting System at CNN Center from 1987 to 2024

On December 17, 1976, at 1:00 pm, WTCG Channel 17's signal was beamed via satellite to its four cable systems in Grand Island, Nebraska; Newport News, Virginia; Troy, Alabama; and Newton, Kansas. All four cable systems started receiving the 1948 Dana Andrews – Cesar Romero film Deep Waters already in progress. The movie had started 30 minutes earlier. WTCG went from being a little television station to a major TV network that every one of the 24,000 households outside of the 675,000 in Atlanta was receiving coast-to-coast. WTCG became a so-called Superstation and created a precedent of today's basic cable television.

HBO had gone to satellite transmissions to distribute its signal nationally in 1975, but that was a service that cable subscribers were made to pay extra to receive. Ted Turner's innovation signaled the start of the basic cable revolution.

In 1979, the company changed its name to Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) and the call letters of its main entertainment channel to WTBS.

Logo of Turner Broadcasting System from 2006 to 2015
Logo of Turner Broadcasting System from 2015 to 2022
Current headquarters of Turner Broadcasting System in Ted Turner Campus, Atlanta

WarnerMedia Studios and Networks (2019–2022)

[edit]

On March 4, 2019, AT&T would reorganize its broadcasting assets to effectively dissolve Turner Broadcasting System with its assets moving to the newly created WarnerMedia Entertainment with the unit consisting of HBO, TBS, TNT, TruTV, and an upcoming direct-to-consumer video service with Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, and Turner Classic Movies would be moved under Warner Bros. Entertainment via the new "Global Kids & Young Adults" business unit.[49][50]

On August 10, 2020, the WarnerMedia Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment television assets were merged to form WarnerMedia Studios & Networks Group with several of its units being reorganized in a major corporate revamp that resulted in TBS, TNT and TruTV being brought back under the same umbrella as Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Boomerang and TCM with Casey Bloys—who was with WarnerMedia since 2004 (as director of development at HBO Independent Productions), being elevated to President of Programming at HBO and Cinemax in May 2016—added oversight of WarnerMedia's basic cable networks and HBO Max to his purview.[51][52]

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks

[edit]
Discovery Networks U.S.
[edit]

Former headquarters of Discovery, Inc. in Silver Spring, Maryland
The logo for Discovery U.S. Networks from 2017 to 2020

In October 1996, Discovery Networks was formed by Discovery Communications to launch several networks, including Animal Planet, and the digital cable channels Discovery Kids, Discovery Travel & Living, Discovery Civilization, and Science Channel, with two years later being followed by the 1997 purchase of a 70% stake in Travel Channel, and the 1998 launches of Discovery en Español, Discovery Wings, and Discovery Health Channel.[53][54][55]

On July 31, 2017, Discovery announced it would acquire Scripps Networks Interactive, owner of networks such as Food Network, HGTV, and DIY Network, for $14.6 billion, with Discovery's brands being reorganized under different executives chief brand officers: SNI's chief programmer Kathleen Finch became chief brand officer of Lifestyle, overseeing TLC, the six former Scripps channels, and Discovery's other lifestyle networks, with Rich Ross, who formerly served as group president of Discovery and Science, stepping down, and being replaced by TLC president Nancy Daniels as chief brand officer of Discovery & Factual.[56][57]

Merger of both units
[edit]

On May 17, 2021, three years after the acquisition, AT&T decided to sell its ownership of WarnerMedia in a merger with Discovery, Inc. to form a new publicly traded company, Warner Bros. Discovery. On April 8, 2022, WarnerMedia was divested by AT&T and merged with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). All linear networks owned by the company, besides CNN, Turner Sports, and HBO being overseen by Kathleen Finch as head of Warner Bros. Discovery Networks.[58][59][60]

On August 16, 2024, it was announced that Kathleen Finch would retire as the head of Warner Bros. Discovery Networks at the end of the year. She would be succeeded by Channing Dungey, who is the chairwoman of the Warner Bros. Television Group division.[61]

On December 12, 2024, WBD announced plans to reorganize its studios, networks and direct-to-consumer/streaming divisions in mid-2025. These businesses will be reorganized into two units: "Streaming & Studios"—which will include Warner Bros., the DC-branded units, HBO, and Max, and "Global Linear Networks". Zaslav stated that the new structure would enable greater flexibility and "potential future strategic opportunities". It will also insulate WBD's declining cable networks from its more profitable studio and direct-to-consumer businesses.[62] The reorganizing has begun as of March 31, 2025, and was officially announced during the earnings call for the first quarter of that year.[63] Warner Bros. Discovery International became a unit of the division itself as a part of this decision.

Rename to Discovery Global

[edit]

On June 9, 2025, WBD confirmed the plans: the "Warner Bros. Discovery Streaming & Studios" company would include the Warner Bros. film, television, and video game studios, HBO and HBO Max (including its International Sports Offering), DC Comics, DC Studios and TCM, while the "Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks" company would be led by current WBD CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels, and include assets such as WBD's linear television brands and Discovery+ (although assets such as Cartoon Network Studios will remain with the Warner Bros. Television Group). Sports rights would be diffused between the two companies, with Eurosport and most TNT Sports assets going to Global Linear Networks, and TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland going to Streaming & Studios. The transactions are expected to be completed in mid-2026; the split is being structured to be tax-free, while the Global Linear Networks company will assume the Streaming & Studios company's debt.[64][65][66] Zaslav stated that "by operating as two distinct and optimized companies in the future, we are empowering these iconic brands with the sharper focus and strategic flexibility they need to compete most effectively in today’s evolving media landscape".[67][68]

On July 28, 2025, it was announced that the Warner Bros. Discovery Global Linear Networks name will be shortened Discovery Global.[69]

Channels list

[edit]

Current channels

[edit]
Broadcaster Name Launch
CBS Entertainment Group
CBS Broadcasting, Inc. CBS July 1, 1941
CBS Sports, Inc. CBS Sports April 11, 1955
CBS Sports Network June 1, 2002
CBS Sports HQ February 26, 2018
Start TV, LLC Start TV September 3, 2018
DABL Network, LLC Dabl September 9, 2019
Turner Entertainment Networks
CNN America, Inc. CNN April 14, 1994
Cable News Network, Inc. CNN en Español April 14, 1994
Cable News International, Inc. CNN International April 14, 1994
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. TBS December 17, 1976
TruTV July 1, 1991
Turner Network Television, Inc. TNT October 3, 1988
TNT Sports April 6, 1973
Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Turner Classic Movies April 14, 1994
Premium Networks Group
Home Box Office, Inc. HBO November 8, 1972
HBO Comedy May 6, 1999
HBO Drama August 1, 1991
HBO Hits
HBO Latino November 1, 2000
HBO Movies May 6, 1999
Cinemax August 1, 1980
Cinemáx May 17, 2001
Cinemax Action December 1, 1996
Cinemax Classics May 17, 2001
Cinemax Hits August 1, 1991
Showtime Networks, Inc. Showtime July 1, 1976
Showtime 2 October 1, 1991
Showtime Showcase 1996
SHO×BET September 1999
Showtime Extreme March 10, 1998
Showtime Family Zone March 2001
Showtime Next
Showtime Women
The Movie Channel April 1, 1973
The Movie Channel Xtra October 1, 1997
Flix August 1, 1992
BET Media Group
Black Entertainment Television, LLC BET July 1, 1983
BET Her January 15, 1996
BET Hip-Hop July 1, 2002
BET Gospel
BET Jams May 1, 2002
BET Soul August 1, 1998
MTV Entertainment Group
MTV Networks Company MTV August 1, 1981
MTV2 August 1, 1996
MTV Classic August 1, 1998
MTV Tres
MTVU January 20, 2004
MTV Live January 16, 2006
VH1 January 1, 1985
Country Music Television, Inc. CMT March 5, 1983
CMT Music August 1, 1998
Comedy Partners Comedy Central April 1, 1991
Logo TV June 30, 2005
Spike Cable Networks, Inc. Paramount Network March 7, 1983
Pop Media Group, LLC Pop TV 1981
SNI/SI Networks, L.L.C. Smithsonian Channel September 26, 2007
TV Land April 29, 1996
Discovery Networks
Animal Planet, LLC Animal Planet April 1, 1979
Television Food Network, G.P. Cooking Channel August 21, 2002
Food Network November 23, 1993
Discovery Communications, LLC Discovery Channel June 17, 1985
Discovery en Español June 1998
Discovery Turbo[70] June 17, 2002
Discovery Life February 1, 2011
Investigation Discovery October 7, 1996
Destination America
Science Channel
TLC October 1980
Scripps Networks, LLC HGTV December 30, 1994
Hogar de HGTV June 30, 2020
Magnolia Discovery Ventures, LLC Magnolia Network September 30, 1999
The Travel Channel, LLC Travel Channel February 8, 1987
OWN, LLC Oprah Winfrey Network January 1, 2011
Kids and Family Group
Nickelodeon Global Network Ventures Inc. Nickelodeon April 1, 1979
Nick at Nite July 1, 1985
Nick Jr. Channel September 28, 2009
TeenNick
NickMusic May 1, 2002
Nicktoons
The Cartoon Network, Inc. Cartoon Network October 1, 1992
Boomerang April 1, 2000
Adult Swim September 2, 2001
Cartoonito September 4, 2006
Discovery Communications, LLC Discovery Family October 7, 1996
Discovery Familia November 1, 2007

Former channels

[edit]

Paramount line

[edit]
  • Bravo; sold to Rainbow Media in 1984.
  • Nick GAS (1999–2007/09 on Dish because of problematic unknown factors).
  • VH1 Uno (2000–08); became MTVU, focusing on music videos aimed at college-aged students.
  • Noggin (1999–2009); replaced with the Nick Jr. Channel in 2009. Later relaunched as a streaming service in 2015, but closed in 2024. Now independent since 2025.
  • TEENick (Nickelodeon block, 2001–09) and The N (Noggin block, 2002–07/09 on Dish); merged to form 24/7 TeenNick.
  • Showtime Beyond (1999–2020), became SHO×BET in 2020.
  • MTVX; became MTV Jams in 2002, focusing on hip-hop music, and rebranded as BET Jams in October 2015.
  • VH1 MegaHits; now as Logo TV, but aimed at LGBTQ+ audiences.
  • AwesomenessTV; folded into Paramount Television Studios.

Warner Bros. Discovery line

[edit]

Units

[edit]

CBS Entertainment Group

CBS Entertainment Group
Headquarters570 West 57th Street,
New York City, New York, 10019
,
U.S.
Products
Brands
ParentSkydance TV
DivisionsCBS Media Ventures
Subsidiaries
List

CBS Broadcasting

CBS Interactive

CBS News

CBS Televisions Stations

CBS Studios

DABL Network

Start TV

Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications, LLC
Headquarters230 Park Avenue South,
New York City
,
U.S.
Area served
United States
Brands
Services
  • Broadcasting
  • Television
ParentSkydance TV
Subsidiaries
List

Animal Planet

Discovery Golf

Discovery Studios

Magnolia Discovery Ventures

OWN

Scripps Networks

Television Food Network

Television Food Network, G.P.
Founded1993; 33 years ago (1993)
Founder
Headquarters9721 Sherrill Boulevard,
Knoxville, Tennessee 37932
,
U.S.
Products
Brands
OwnerSkydance TV
Parent

Television Food Network, G.P. is a general partnership organized under the laws of Delaware in 1993, having partners Reese Schonfeld and The Providence Journal Company, a Delaware corporation, registered at 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, Tennessee 37932, U.S., and is jointly owned by Skydance Corporation (68.7%) and Nexstar Media Group (31.3%). It's the legal entity through which the American television networks Cooking Channel and Food Network and its related assets and intellectual property are managed.[74]

The Travel Channel

Home Box Office

HBO Entertainment

HBO Films

HBO Documentary Films

Paramount Television Studios

Turner Broadcasting System

Bleacher Report

Cartoon Network

CNN Worldwide

CNN Worldwide
Native name
Cable News Network, Inc.
FounderTed Turner
Headquarters1050 Techwood Drive,
Atlanta, Georgia
,
U.S.
Key peopleSir Mark Thompson (Chairman and CEO)
Products
Brands
OwnerSkydance TV
Subsidiaries
  • Cable News International, Inc.
  • CNN America, Inc.
  • CNN Interactive Group, Inc.

Cable News Network, Inc. (doing business as CNN Worldwide) is a global media company that combines television channels, digital platforms, content production and international news services. It is responsible for the strategy, operations and development of CNN's media portfolio in different countries and on different platforms.

CNN America

CNN Interactive Group

Cable News International

CNN Films

Great Big Story

Turner Classic Movies

Turner Network Television

TNT Sports

Viacom International

Viacom International Inc.
Headquarters1515 Broadway,
New York City, New York, 10036
,
U.S.
OwnerSkydance Corporation

Viacom International Inc. (VII) was established in 1971, just a year after Viacom spun out from the CBS TV network and became Viacom's parent company. The company is responsible for copyrights and trademarks associated with Paramount Media Networks and Paramount International Networks as well as most programming principally produced by Paramount Television Studios and Paramount Television International Studios. The division also licenses the product rights for their various properties and the dissemination of visual and textual television programs on a subscription/fee basis. The company jointly owns Comedy Partners with Viacom Hearty Ha! Ha! LLC, who owned the Ha! network as well as a stake in Comedy Central prior to HBO's departure.[77]

Viacom International also served as the licensee name and division for its group of television stations for FCC purposes before the 1995 Westinghouse/CBS merger. Former Viacom station WVIT in New Britain, Connecticut (serving Hartford and New Haven), which it owned from 1978 until 1997, took its call letters from the initials of Viacom International, and retains them to the present day under NBC ownership.

In 2006, Viacom International was renamed to CBS Operations, Inc. by CBS Corporation, and its copyrights related to Viacom's cable networks were transferred to a subsidiary of the new Viacom also named Viacom International Inc. The new subsidiary remains active as copyright holder of some Paramount TV assets as they existed pre-Skydance merger under the Paramount Skydance with the exception of pre-developed Skydance Television projects (those under Skydance Television credit continued under Skydance Productions, LLC whereas the ones that continued in 2026 and beyond were transferred to Paramount Television Studios, a division of Paramount Pictures Corporation) alongwith all non-Paramount Media Networks (both domestic and international wholly self-owned units) projects before the 2023 restructure and continued exception of Comedy Central and CBS Studios in-house projects. Viacom International, Inc. folded into Viacom Media Networks in 2019.[citation needed] ViacomCBS International Inc. was used as an alternate trade name for the company during the 2020–21 television season, when the company was under ViacomCBS.[citation needed]

BET Media Group

Comedy Partners

Comedy Partners
Founded1991; 35 years ago (1991)
Founder
Headquarters1515 Broadway,
New York City, New York, 10036
,
U.S.
Products
BrandsComedy Central
OwnerSkydance TV
Parent
  • Viacom Hearty Ha!Ha! LLC
  • Viacom International Inc.

Comedy Partners (stylised in all caps) is a partnership organized under the laws of New York, having partners Viacom International Inc., a Delaware corporation and Viacom Hearty Ha! Ha!, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, registered at 1515 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, U.S.,[78][79] whole owned by Skydance Corporation. It's the legal entity through which the American television channel Comedy Central and its related assets and intellectual property are managed.

Comedy Partners was originally a partnership of Home Box Office, Inc., the subsidiary of Time Warner that owned The Comedy Channel and HBO's half and Viacom Hearty Ha! Ha! LLC, the subsidiary that owned Ha! and Viacom's half of the network during its first years on air. Viacom bought out AOL Time Warner's half in April 2003 for $1.23 billion. Following the completion of the deal in the second quarter of 2003, Comedy Central became wholly owned by Viacom and joined MTV Networks' lineup of major cable channels.[80]

MTV Entertainment Group

MTV Entertainment Group
TypeDivision
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
U.S.
Key peopleLaurel Weir (president and CEO)
Brands
ParentParamount Media Networks
Divisions
  • MTV Branded Television
  • General Entertainment Content
Websitemtv.com

MTV Entertainment Group serves as the holdings company for Paramount's mature-oriented, general entertainment brands; such as its namesake flagship MTV, Comedy Central, and Paramount Network.[81] It operates two divisions: MTV Branded Television (MTV-related channels) & General Entertainment Content (non-MTV-related channels).

MTV Branded Television

General Entertainment Content

Nickelodeon Group

Showtime Networks

Showtime Entertainment

SNI/SI Networks

SNI/SI Networks, LLC is a legal entity established as a joint venture between the Smithsonian Institution and Showtime Networks Inc. in March 2006 for a term of 30 years, through which the American television network Smithsonian Channel and its associated assets and intellectual property are managed.[85]

Warner Bros. Television Group

Warner Bros. Television Group
Divisions
Subsidiaries
List

Warner Bros. Animation

Cartoon Network Studios

Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe

Warner Bros. Television

Alloy Entertainment

Shed Media US

Telepictures Productions

Warner Bros. International Television Production

Former assets

[edit]

The company has owned many other internet properties including virtual pets website Neopets; Flash game websites AddictingGames.com and Shockwave.com; online content production company Atom Entertainment; along with RateMyProfessors.com, GameTrailers, and iFilm, all of which have been shut down or sold off during 2000s and 2010s.

During the first quarter of 2008, iFilm was merged into Spike with its website re–branded and re–purposed as Spike.com.[86]

In 2014, Viacom purchased a stake in multi-channel network Defy Media, while offloading GameTrailers, Addicting Games, and Shockwave to Defy.[87]

Harmonix and gaming

[edit]

In 2006, Viacom acquired Harmonix, a video game studio oriented towards music video games and the original developer of the Guitar Hero franchise, for $175 million.[88] The two subsequently collaborated on the creation of Rock Band.[89] That year, Viacom also acquired the gaming–oriented communications platform Xfire.[90]

In 2010, Harmonix was divested to an investment firm to become an independent studio,[91][92] and Xfire was sold.[93]

In 2011, Viacom established a short–lived, in–house development studio known as 345 Games, which was dedicated primarily to developing games based on Comedy Central, MTV and Spike properties.[94]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "IDX Business Magazine" (PDF). Worldradiohisstory.com. May 31, 1982. p. 70. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  2. ↑ MCN Staff (November 4, 2002). "NBC to Buy Bravo". Multichannel News. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Warner takes MTV, Nickelodeon public" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications, Inc. June 25, 1984. Retrieved January 12, 2022 – via World Radio History.
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