Paramount Television

Paramount Television. It was the television production and distribution arm of the storied Paramount Pictures film studio, operating from 1967 until a major corporate restructuring in 2006. The division was instrumental in translating the studio's cinematic legacy to the small screen, producing a vast array of iconic series, pioneering the miniseries format, and becoming a powerhouse in television syndication. Its history reflects the broader evolution of the Hollywood studio system in the age of broadcast network television and cable television.

History

The division was formally established in 1967 under executive Herbert F. Solow, though Paramount's forays into television began earlier with Desilu Productions, which it acquired in 1967. This acquisition brought legendary shows like the CBS hits Star Trek: The Original Series and Mission: Impossible under its umbrella. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it became a dominant supplier to the Big Three television networks, producing enduring sitcoms like Happy Days and Taxi, and dramatic series such as Mannix. The corporate landscape shifted when its parent, Paramount Pictures, was acquired by Gulf+Western and later became part of Viacom in 1994, placing it under the same corporate roof as the CBS network.

Original programming

The studio was prolific across genres, creating defining ABC programming like the science fiction phenomenon Star Trek: The Next Generation. It launched successful NBC Must See TV staples including the long-running medical drama ER and the legal drama JAG, which later spawned the ''NCIS'' franchise. For newer networks, it produced foundational hits like Entertainment Tonight for syndication and Star Trek: Voyager for the United Paramount Network. Its output also included acclaimed Showtime series such as The Outer Limits revival and the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.

Notable productions

Beyond its own productions, the studio distributed and co-produced a legendary slate of series from independent producers. This included all episodes of the iconic Aaron Spelling-produced hits Cheers, Family Ties, and Webster. It was also the distributor for groundbreaking Steven Bochco dramas like Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law, and handled the syndication for the beloved Gary David Goldberg sitcom Spin City. The Star Trek franchise remained a cornerstone, with the studio producing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Enterprise.

Distribution and syndication

The division operated one of the most formidable syndication arms in the industry, famously grouped under the Paramount Domestic Television banner. It revolutionized first-run syndication with the launch of Star Trek: The Next Generation, proving high-budget series could succeed outside the Big Three television networks. Its portfolio included distributing the court show Judge Judy, the talk show The Montel Williams Show, and the reality television hit Entertainment Tonight. The success of its off-network syndication library, featuring titles like Happy Days and Cheers, generated substantial long-term revenue for the Viacom conglomerate.

Corporate structure and evolution

Following the 1999 merger of Viacom and CBS, the division was eventually merged with CBS Productions in 2004 to form CBS Paramount Television. This reorganization under Leslie Moonves consolidated production for the CBS network. The 2006 corporate split of Viacom and CBS Corporation led to the studio being renamed CBS Television Studios in 2009, fully integrating it into the CBS broadcasting empire. The Paramount name in television production was later revived under Paramount Global as Paramount Television Studios, a separate entity.

Category:American television production companies Category:Paramount Pictures subsidiaries