CBS Paramount Network Television

CBS Paramount Network Television. It was a major American television production company that operated from 2006 to 2009 as a key subsidiary of the newly reformed CBS Corporation. Formed in the wake of the 2005–2006 corporate split of Viacom, the entity combined the historic Paramount Television library with the ongoing production operations supporting the CBS network. The studio was ultimately folded into CBS Television Studios in late 2009, consolidating all production under a single banner.

History

The company's origins are directly tied to the corporate restructuring of Viacom, announced in 2005 and finalized in early 2006. This split created two separate publicly traded companies: the "new" Viacom, which retained MTV Networks and the Paramount Pictures film studio, and the CBS Corporation, which took control of the CBS and UPN broadcast networks, various cable channels including Showtime, and the television production assets of Paramount Television. To align these production assets with its primary broadcast outlet, CBS Corporation rebranded the unit, launching it on January 17, 2006. This move gave the new CBS Corporation an in-house studio with a vast library of classic series like Star Trek and Cheers, while also producing current hits for its network. The studio's existence was relatively brief; in late 2009, CBS Corporation announced it would merge its production divisions, leading to the absorption of the unit into the newly named CBS Television Studios on January 1, 2010, effectively ending its operations as a distinct entity.

Programming

The studio was responsible for producing and co-producing a significant portion of the CBS primetime schedule during its operation, specializing in procedural dramas and comedy series. Its most prominent and long-running hit was the procedural phenomenon CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, along with its successful spin-offs CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. Other major dramatic series included NCIS, Cold Case, and Without a Trace. In comedy, it produced the popular sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, which aired on The CW following the merger of UPN and The WB. The studio also managed the valuable legacy television library inherited from Paramount Television, which included iconic series such as The Honeymooners, The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, and multiple series from the expansive Star Trek franchise. This library provided substantial ongoing revenue through syndication and licensing deals.

Operations and structure

The studio operated under the presidency of David Stapf, who reported within the broader structure of CBS Corporation. It functioned as the primary production arm for the CBS network, developing, financing, and producing series for broadcast on CBS, The CW (a joint venture with Warner Bros.), and for sale to other outlets. Its operations were closely integrated with the network's CBS Entertainment division, which handled programming and scheduling. The physical production of its series took place primarily at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, Los Angeles, and other soundstages in the Los Angeles area. The company held international distribution rights to its self-produced series, which were often sold globally by CBS Studios International. The 2009 decision to consolidate under the CBS Television Studios banner was driven by a strategy to streamline operations and present a unified brand in the television marketplace.

See also

* CBS Television Studios * Paramount Television * CBS Corporation * Viacom (original) * Paramount Global * List of programs broadcast by CBS

Category:American television production companies Category:CBS Category:Defunct television production companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Los Angeles Category:Paramount Global