Viacom Productions

Viacom Productions (formerly Viacom Enterprises) was a television production arm of Viacom International. The division was active from 1974 until 2004, when the company was folded into Paramount Network Television 10 years following Viacom's acquisition of Paramount Pictures. It was closed down on June 15, 2004, and led Perry Simon to move itself to Paramount for a production deal.[1]

Viacom Productions
FormerlyViacom Enterprises
TypeSubsidiary
Founded1974 (1974)
Defunct2004 (2004)
FateFolded into Paramount Network Television
SuccessorParamount Television (2004–2006)
CBS Paramount Television (2006–2009)
CBS Television Studios (2009–2020)
CBS Studios (2020-present)
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
ProductsTelevision Production
OwnerViacom International (1974–2004)
ParentViacom Enterprises (1974–1995)
Paramount Network Television (1995–2004)

History

The first primetime television show to be produced by Viacom Productions for the ABC network was The MacKenzies of Paradise Cove.[2] The studio had development contracts with independent writers and producers. The studio made significant deals in 1977, when Roland Kibee and Dean Hargrove left Universal for Viacom.[3]

In 1984, Thomas D. Tannenbaum became president of the studio.[4] In 1985, former Three's Company producers Martin Rips and Joseph Staretski signed an exclusive three-year first look deal with Viacom Productions to develop television series.[5]

In 1989, Glen Larson has struck a deal with the studio to produce shows, but it never came to fruition.[6] In 1991, Viacom Enterprises signed Those Guys International to a development and production deal.[7] When Viacom Enterprises, the syndicated branch was folded into Paramount Domestic Television, Paramount kept the Viacom Productions brand for the next 10 years.[8] The first hit came after the acquisition was Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, a show ABC aired from 1996 to 2000, followed by a run on The WB from 2000 to 2003.

On March 20, 1997, Viacom inked a deal with Parachute Entertainment to bring the book series Fear to television.[9] On October 31, 1997, Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider had inked a deal with the studio to develop such projects.[10] On January 16, 2001, writers and producers Jon Beckerman and Rob Burnett had struck an overall deal with the studio.[11] On December 2, 2002, producers Gina Matthews and Grant Scharbo had inked a deal with the studio through the Matthews/Scharbo Productions banner.[12]

Viacom Pictures

From 1991 to 1995, Viacom Productions produced some theatrical films and television films under the brand Viacom Pictures. Viacom Pictures' notable films include Taking the Heat, Scam, Keeper of the City, The Fear Inside, Nails, Payoff, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, White Mile, among others. Viacom Pictures was shut down a year after its parent acquired Paramount Communications, the owners of Paramount Pictures.

Shows produced by Viacom Productions
Among select titles
Title Years Network Notes
The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle & Jeckle1979–1981CBSco-production with Filmation
Dear Detective 1979 CBS co-production with Kibee-Hargrove Productions
The Devlin Connection1982NBC
Amanda's1983ABC
The Master1984NBC
Easy Street1986–1987NBC
Matlock1986–1995NBC/ABCco-produced by The Fred Silverman Company (Intermedia Entertainment Company in season 1) and Dean Hargrove Productions (Strathmore Productions in seasons 1–2), (season 9 only)
Frank's Place1987–1988CBS
Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures1987–1988CBSco-production with Bakshi-Hyde Ventures
Jake and the Fatman1987–1992CBSco-produced by The Fred Siverman Company and Dean Hargrove Productions (Strathmore Productions in season 1)
Father Dowling Mysteries1987–1991NBC/ABCco-produced by The Fred Silverman Company and Dean Hargrove Productions
Flying Blind1992–1993Fox
Key West1993Fox
Diagnosis: Murder1993–2001CBSco-produced by The Fred Silverman Company and Dean Hargrove Productions
Deadly Games1995–1997UPN
Townies1996ABC
The Adventures of Corduroy1996–1997co-produced by Graz Entertainmenthome video only
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch1996–2003ABC/The WBco-produced by Archie Comics, Hartbreak Films, and Finishing the Hat Productions (for season 1 only)
The Hoop Life1999–2000Showtime
The Beat2000UPN
Ed2000–2004NBCco-produced with NBC Productions and Worldwide Pants
The Division2001–2004Lifetimeco-produced by Kedzie Productions
Baby Bob2002–2003CBS
Jake 2.02003–2004UPN
The 44002004–2007USA Networkseason 2 by Paramount Network Television, last 2 seasons by CBS Paramount Network Television

Note

The 4400 continued as a Paramount Network Television production for season 2. The show became a CBS Paramount Network Television production for its last two seasons after the Viacom/CBS split at the end of 2005.

All shows from Viacom Productions are now owned by CBS Studios Productions, LLC., a holding company, and distributed by CBS Television Distribution.

See also

References
  1. Schneider, Michael (2004-06-16). "Viacom Prods. now part of Par". Variety. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  2. "Back-ups" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1978-05-22. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  3. "Dean Hargrove". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  4. "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1984-08-20. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  5. "Making deals" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1985-10-21. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  6. "In Brief" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1989-11-27. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  7. "Distant Signals" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1991-02-11. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
  8. "VP new factor in syndication" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1994-02-21. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  9. "Parachute, Viacom bring 'Fear' to TV". Variety. 1997-03-21. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  10. "Delany eyed for Brand's B-G drama". Variety. 1997-10-31. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  11. Adalian, Josef (2001-01-16). "'Ed'ucated TV deal". Variety. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  12. Adalian, Josef (2002-12-03). "Feature duo turning on TV". Variety. Retrieved 2021-11-25.
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