Paramount Media Networks

Pre-launch: Warner Communications joint venture (1977–1984)

Warner Cable Communications was founded on December 1, 1977, by Warner Cable, itself a division of Warner Communications, predecessor to Warner Bros. Discovery (which was at the time WarnerMedia, Time Warner, and AOL Time Warner), to launch QUBE, an interactive cable television system that mainly served in the Midwest state. Seeing the potential in the creation of new cable networks, Warner Cable divested QUBE's biggest brands: Star Channel (film), Pinwheel (youths) and Sight on Sound (music), into nationwide outlets. Star Channel began by satellite in January 1979 and was renamed as The Movie Channel by the end of the year. The original channel "C-3", by then known as Pinwheel, became Nickelodeon in April 1979. As a result of these actions, Warner Cable Communications would then be rebranded as Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, becoming a joint venture between Warner Cable and American Express. In 1980, Warner-Amex formed a joint venture with the now-defunct Cablevision's Rainbow Media (now as AMC Networks) division to launch Bravo, a cable network dedicated to arts and films, on December 1, 1980. Because of the full control of the channel, however, was sold to Rainbow Media in 1984; NBC would acquire Bravo in 2003, and the channel is now currently owned by Comcast's NBCUniversal.[2]

On August 1, 1981, all-video channel MTV first introduced. In 1983, concerned by the strategic and financial failure of its pay-TV venture The Movie Channel (began to reap the benefits when Time Inc. was having with HBO and Cinemax), WASEC established a joint venture with Viacom, merging TMC with their premium movie network Showtime to form Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc.; WASEC, however, had no operational involvement in the joint venture.

Launch as MTV Networks, Viacom gets full ownership (1984–2011)

On June 25, 1984, Warner Communications made the decision to divest its assets to Warner-Amex Cable Entertainment and rebrand it as "MTV Networks".[3][4] A year later, Warner would acquire the 50% stake from American Express.[5]

On August 27, 1985, Warner sold 31% of MTV Networks to Viacom, with Warner also selling 19% of its Showtime/The Movie Channel, Inc. joint to Viacom as well.[6][7]

In November 1985, Viacom announced that it had plans to buy the remaining 69% of MTV Networks from Warner for $326 million,[8]

Expansion (2011–2019)

MTV Networks was renamed Viacom Media Networks in 2011. In Fall 2012, media analysts began to report that ratings among some of Viacom's leading brands in the U.S. were experiencing declines in viewership.[12][13] MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon were of most concern to investors as the three account for roughly 50% of Viacom's operating profit, estimated David Bank of RBC Capital Markets.

In 2017, Viacom announced a five-point restructuring plan, in which the company would pour most of its resources behind six "flagship brands". These were MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. Channel, BET, and film studio Paramount Pictures.[14][15][16][17]

Reintroduction and re-merger with CBS (2019–2024)

In August 2019, Viacom announced that it would merge with CBS Corporation, reuniting the two entities under the ViacomCBS name.[26][27] The merger closed on December 4, 2019.[28][29] Announced on November 11, 2019, as part of the re–merger, the Media Networks division was renamed ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, and re-organized.

MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo were re-organized into the "Entertainment & Youth Group",[30] with the addition of Comedy Central, Paramount Network, Smithsonian Channel, and TV Land. BET Networks was merged with Showtime Networks under CEO David Nevins, who also temporarily gained oversight of

Paramount/Skydance merger; reunification with Warner Bros. Discovery (2024–present)

On April 29, 2024, President and CEO Bob Bakish was replaced by Brian Robbins, George Cheeks, and Chris McCarthy.[36] This action was the result of Bakish's reported opposition of the Skydance deal.[37] McCarthy was legally designated the company's "interim principal executive officer" in order to comply with SEC regulations stipulating that one person must conduct "the normal course of business".[38]

By July 2, 2024, Skydance renegotiated the deal and reached a preliminary agreement to acquire National Amusements and merge with Paramount.[39] The deal was referred by National Amusements to Paramount's special committee.[40] Also, Paramount reportedly entered talks for a sale of the

Current channels

Former channels

• Bravo; sold to Rainbow Media in 1984.
• Nick GAS (1999–2007/09 on Dish because of problematic unknown factors)
• VH1 Uno (2000–08); became MTVU, focusing on music videos aimed at college-aged students.
• Noggin (1999–2009); rebranded as Nick Jr. Channel in 2009.
• TEENick (Nickelodeon block, 2001–09) and The N (Noggin block, 2002–07/09 on Dish); merged to form 24/7 TeenNick.
• Showtime Beyond (1999–2020), became SHO×BET in 2020.
• MTVX; became MTV Jams in 2002, focusing on hip-hop music, and rebranded as BET Jams in October 2015.

MTV Entertainment Group

MTV Entertainment Group serves as the holdings company for Paramount's mature-oriented, general entertainment brands; such as its namesake flagship MTV, Comedy Central, and Paramount Network.[44] It operates two divisions: MTV Branded Television (MTV-related channels) & General Entertainment Content (non-MTV-related channels).

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