Viacom Productions (formerly Viacom Enterprises) was a television production arm of Viacom. Viacom Enterprises was also a movie producer, and a sports producer. The division was active from July 4, 1971 until June 15, 2004, when the company was folded into Paramount Network Television 10 years following Viacom's acquisition of Paramount Pictures, and led Perry Simon to move itself to Paramount for a production deal.

History Viacom Enterprises was formed in 1971 as the successor of the pre-1968 CBS Films, later reincorporated as CBS Enterprises, Inc. in 1968. The company began handling the production and distribution of films around the same time, under the name "Viacom Productions" to produce first-run television series airing on the major networks. In 1971, it was spun-off because it was against the FCC regulations for a television network to distribute its programs under its own name.

In 1977, after failed attempts to launch prime-time shows, Viacom decided to set up its own unit for prime-time programming, which was headed by Richard Reisberg, who had also saw program acquisition activities.

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

In 1984, Thomas D. Tannenbaum became president of the studio.

On March 11, 1994, Viacom acquired Paramount Communications, Inc. and Viacom Enterprises was folded into Paramount Domestic Television, by transferring the domestic rights of the Viacom library. Viacom International was later reorganized as the parent company of MTV Networks and Showtime Networks. Viacom transferred the international rights of the said library into Paramount International Television, while Viacom Productions was reincorporated as a production sub-division of Paramount Television. 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.

Viacom Productions was folded into Paramount Network Television in 2004, amid financial troubles brought on to Viacom. The final two series to end under the Viacom Productions name are Ed and The Division.

Viacom Pictures

From 1989 to 2011, Viacom Productions produced some theatrical films and television films (primarily Showtime) under the brand Viacom Pictures. Viacom Pictures stopped producing theatrical films around 1995, after its parent acquired Paramount Communications, the parent of Paramount Pictures, though it continued to produce television films until 2011.

Filmography Title Years Network NotesThe Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine1974–1975CBSco-production with Funhouse Productions and Yongestreet Productions The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle & Jeckle 1979–1981 CBS co-production with FilmationDear Detective1979CBSco-production with Kibee-Hargrove ProductionsThe MacKenzies of Paradise Cove1979ABCco-production with Blinn/Thorpe ProductionsThe Lazarus Syndrome1979ABCco-production with Blinn/Thorpe ProductionsAmerican Dream1981ABCco-production with Mace Neufield ProductionsNurse1981–1982CBSco-production with Robert Halmi, Inc. The Devlin Connection 1982 NBC co-production with Jerry Thorpe Productions and Mammoth Films, Inc. Amanda's 1983 ABC co-production with E&L ProductionsAce Crawford, Private Eye1983CBSco-production with Conway Enterprises The Master 1984 NBC co-production with Michael Sloan ProductionsMe and Mom1985ABCco-production with Hal Sitowitz Productions Easy Street 1986–1987 NBC Matlock 1986–1995 NBC/ABC co-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 Place 1987–1988 CBS Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures 1987–1988 CBS co-production with Bakshi-Hyde Ventures Jake and the Fatman 1987–1992 CBS co-produced by The Fred Siverman Company and Dean Hargrove Productions (Strathmore Productions in season 1) Father Dowling Mysteries 1987–1991 NBC/ABC co-produced by The Fred Silverman Company and Dean Hargrove ProductionsSnoops1989–1990CBSco-production with Tima Love Productions and Solt/Egan CompanyMax Monroe: Loose Cannon1990CBSco-production with Dean Hargrove ProductionsThe Marshall Chronicles1990ABCco-production with Sweetum Productions Flying Blind 1992–1993 Fox co-production with Sweetum Productions and Paramount Network Television Key West 1993 Fox Diagnosis: Murder 1993–2001 CBS co-produced by The Fred Silverman Company and Dean Hargrove Productions Deadly Games 1995–1997 UPN Townies 1996 ABC The Adventures of Corduroy 1996–1997 home video only co-produced by Graz Entertainment Sabrina, the Teenage Witch 1996–2003 ABC/The WB co-produced by Archie Comics, Hartbreak Films, and Finishing the Hat Productions (for season 1 only)Oz1997–2003HBOseasons 4–5 only; co-production with The Levinson/Fontana Company and Rysher Entertainment The Hoop Life 1999–2000 Showtime The Beat 2000 UPN Ed 2000–2004 NBC co-produced with NBC Productions and Worldwide Pants The Division 2001–2004 Lifetime co-produced by Kedzie Productions Baby Bob 2002–2003 CBS Jake 2.0 2003–2004 UPN The Handler2003-2004CBSco-production with Haddock Entertainment The 4400 2004–2007 USA Network season 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 Media Ventures.

See also Paramount Television Paramount Television Studios CBS Studios, formerly CBS Paramount Television and CBS Television Studios CBS Media Ventures, formerly CBS Television Distribution Viacom Enterprises Viacom (1952–2005)

References

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