CBS Studios

CBS Studios is a premier American television production and distribution company, operating as a key division within the CBS Entertainment Group under the umbrella of Paramount Global. Established in the restructuring of Viacom's television assets, it serves as the primary production arm for the CBS television network, creating a vast portfolio of scripted and unscripted content. The studio is renowned for its long-running procedural dramas, hit comedies, and successful franchise series that dominate network and streaming ratings.

History

The studio's origins trace back to the original Desilu Productions, founded by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, which was acquired by Gulf and Western Industries in 1967 and later renamed Paramount Television. Following the Viacom-CBS merger in 2000, these assets were reorganized, leading to the 2006 formation of CBS Paramount Television. This entity was subsequently renamed CBS Studios in 2009, consolidating production under the CBS Corporation banner. A significant merger in 2019 between CBS Corporation and the second iteration of Viacom created ViacomCBS, later rebranded as Paramount Global, placing the studio within a vast media conglomerate alongside siblings like Paramount Pictures and Showtime Networks.

Productions

CBS Studios is prolific, producing numerous flagship series for the CBS network, including enduring procedural franchises like the *NCIS* franchise, the *CSI* franchise, and the Criminal Minds universe. Its comedy successes include the acclaimed The Big Bang Theory and its prequel Young Sheldon, both created by Chuck Lorre. The studio also produces content for other platforms, such as The Good Fight for Paramount+ and the reboot of The Wonder Years for ABC. Its unscripted division is behind major reality competitions like *Survivor* and The Amazing Race, both created by Mark Burnett and Elise Doganieri, respectively.

Operations and facilities

Headquartered at the CBS Building in New York City, the studio's main production facilities are centered at the CBS Studio Center in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles. This historic lot, originally the Republic Pictures backlot and later home to MTV Productions, houses soundstages for many of its network series. Additional production and administrative operations are conducted at the Paramount Pictures studio lot in Hollywood, leveraging the integrated resources of Paramount Global. The studio also maintains international production and distribution partnerships, feeding content to global markets and platforms like Sky and Nine Network.

Leadership

The studio has been led by President David Stapf since 2004, overseeing its expansion and hit-making slate. He reports to George Cheeks, President and CEO of the CBS Entertainment Group. Key creative executives include Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment, and WME-represented head of current programming. The studio's direction is ultimately set under the oversight of Paramount Global executives, including Bob Bakish and the board of National Amusements.

See also

* Paramount Television Studios * Warner Bros. Television Studios * Universal Television * 20th Television * List of programs broadcast by CBS

Category:CBS Studios Category:Television production companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Manhattan Category:Paramount Global subsidiaries Category:2006 establishments in New York (state)