Spelling-Goldberg Productions

Spelling-Goldberg Productions was an American television production company formed on May 1, 1972, by producer Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, a senior television executive formerly associated with Screen Gems. The company operated during a particularly productive period in American network television, developing and producing dramatic series, action programs, family shows, made-for-television films, and occasional theatrical projects. Its programming was closely associated with ABC, where many of its best-known series originally aired. The company's early television work included The Rookies, a police drama that began in 1972, and a substantial group of programs that became representative of 1970s and early-1980s American commercial television. Its series credits included S.W.A.T., Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, Family, Fantasy Island, Hart to Hart, and T. J. Hooker. These programs covered several commercially important formats: police and action dramas, ensemble family drama, mystery and adventure, and glamorous prime-time entertainment. The company also produced Chopper One and a large number of made-for-television movies, many of them broadcast through ABC's movie franchises. Spelling-Goldberg's business model depended not only on first-run network commissions and broadcasts but also on later distribution through syndication. In 1973, the company reached an arrangement with Metromedia Producers Corporation for distribution of post-1973 output, including television movies and Chopper One, for off-network syndication. The Rookies became the subject of a distribution dispute involving Worldvision Enterprises, formerly ABC Films. After litigation, domestic syndication rights for that program were assigned to Viacom Enterprises, which distributed the series through the 1990s. Spelling and Goldberg later ended their partnership. On June 27, 1977, four series—S.W.A.T., Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and Family—were sold to Columbia Pictures Television. The broader company was sold to Columbia Pictures on May 17, 1982, in a transaction reported as being worth more than $40 million. The sale connected the company's program library to Columbia's television distribution and production operations. Sony Pictures Television, through the later corporate succession of the Columbia television business, is identified as the current owner of the Spelling-Goldberg library. Spelling-Goldberg Productions continued to have active operations into the 1980s, although Spelling and Goldberg had also operated other production entities, including Aaron Spelling Productions and Thomas-Spelling Productions. This distinction is important because not every program associated with Aaron Spelling during the period was produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions. The company's active operations had ended by May 1986, following the broadcast of the final episode of T. J. Hooker. Its continuing significance therefore rests primarily on its program library and on the lasting visibility of series such as Charlie's Angels, Starsky & Hutch, Fantasy Island, Hart to Hart, Family, S.W.A.T., and T. J. Hooker. Many of these programs have continued to appear in syndicated and specialty television distribution, including broadcasts on Cozi TV.

Spelling-Goldberg Productions was created on May 1, 1972, by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. Spelling was a prominent television producer, while Goldberg had been one of Screen Gems' leading television executives. Their partnership emerged during the expansion of American network television, when broadcasters relied heavily on independent producers to supply episodic dramas, action series, family programs, and made-for-television movies. The company's first major television credit was The Rookies, which began in 1972. Spelling-Goldberg then developed a broad slate of programs for the American network market. Its 1970s output included Chopper One, S.W.A.T., Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and Family. The company also made a significant contribution to ABC's movie programming, producing numerous television films for The ABC Movie of the Week and related ABC evening movie slots. These included The Daughters of Joshua Cabe, A Cold Night's Death, Satan's School for Girls, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, and other made-for-television titles. Distribution was a central part of the company's business. In 1973, Spelling-Goldberg entered an agreement with Metromedia Producers Corporation covering off-network syndication of post-1973 output, including television movies and the series Chopper One. The Rookies generated a separate distribution conflict with Worldvision Enterprises, previously known as ABC Films. After the lawsuit, Viacom Enterprises became the domestic syndicator for The Rookies and continued distributing the series through the 1990s. Spelling-Goldberg's most visible period came in the mid-to-late 1970s. Starsky & Hutch became a prominent action series, while Charlie's Angels established a durable prime-time franchise. Family represented a different side of the company's output, focusing on family and social drama. Fantasy Island, originally co-produced with Columbia Pictures Television, extended the company's involvement in high-concept prime-time entertainment, while Hart to Hart later added a romantic mystery format to the catalog. Spelling and Goldberg ultimately chose to end their partnership. On June 27, 1977, four of the company's series—S.W.A.T., Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and Family—were sold to Columbia Pictures Television. The company itself was sold to Columbia Pictures on May 17, 1982, for a reported amount exceeding $40 million. Columbia and its successors subsequently became responsible for the library's distribution and corporate stewardship. Sony Pictures Television now owns the Spelling-Goldberg television library, including programs co-produced with Columbia Pictures Television. The Rookies is an exception in historical distribution terms because its domestic syndication was handled by Viacom Enterprises after the Worldvision dispute. Spelling-Goldberg coexisted with other Aaron Spelling production companies, including Aaron Spelling Productions—later associated with the names Spelling Entertainment and Spelling Television—and Thomas-Spelling Productions. Those entities produced additional programs and should not be treated as interchangeable with Spelling-Goldberg Productions. The company's final active period extended into the 1980s. T. J. Hooker, which ran from 1982 to 1986, was its last listed series, and the company's active operations had ended by May 1986 after the final episode aired. Although the production entity is defunct, its catalog remains commercially and culturally visible through syndication, library licensing, and specialty television broadcasts. The programs have also been carried by outlets such as Cozi TV.

1. 1986Active operations conclude

   The company's active operations ended by May 1986 after the last episode of T. J. Hooker aired.

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2. 1982Company sold to Columbia Pictures

   Columbia Pictures acquired Spelling-Goldberg Productions in a transaction reported at more than $40 million.

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3. 1977Four series transferred to Columbia Pictures Television

   S.W.A.T., Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and Family were sold to Columbia Pictures Television after the partners separated.

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4. 1976Charlie's Angels and Family begin

   Charlie's Angels and Family expanded the company's prime-time portfolio into glamour-driven action entertainment and family drama.

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5. 1975Starsky & Hutch and S.W.A.T. enter the catalog

   The company added two major action-oriented series to its television output.

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6. 1973Metromedia syndication agreement

   Metromedia Producers Corporation agreed to distribute post-1973 output for off-network syndication.

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7. 1972Company founded

   Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg established Spelling-Goldberg Productions on May 1, 1972.

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8. 1972The Rookies begins

   The Rookies became the company's first listed television series and began its run in 1972.

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A commercially oriented American television production company focused on network drama, action-adventure, family programming, prime-time entertainment, and made-for-television movies, with a substantial connection to ABC and later Columbia Pictures Television distribution.

• The RookiesTelevision series1972

  A police drama that began the company's listed television output in 1972 and ran through 1976. Its later domestic syndication became the subject of a dispute involving Worldvision Enterprises, after which Viacom Enterprises distributed the program in the United States.

• S.W.A.T.Action television series1975

  An action-oriented series produced by Spelling-Goldberg during the mid-1970s. It was one of four prominent company series sold to Columbia Pictures Television in 1977.

• Starsky & HutchAction television series1975

  A police action series that became one of the company's best-known 1970s programs. Its run extended from 1975 to 1979, and its rights were included in the 1977 sale of four series to Columbia Pictures Television.

• Charlie's AngelsAction television series1976

  A prime-time action series produced by Spelling-Goldberg from 1976 to 1981. It became a signature title associated with the company and was among the programs transferred to Columbia Pictures Television in 1977.

• FamilyFamily drama television series1976

  A family-centered dramatic series that ran from 1976 to 1980. Its subject matter differed from the company's action franchises and demonstrated Spelling-Goldberg's range in network prime-time programming.

• Fantasy IslandFantasy drama television series1977

  A high-concept prime-time series running from 1977 to 1984 and co-produced with Columbia Pictures Television. It became part of the company's enduring library of network entertainment programming.

• Hart to HartMystery television series1979

  A romantic mystery and adventure series produced by the company from 1979 to 1984. It broadened the catalog beyond police procedurals and action dramas.

• T. J. HookerPolice television series1982

  A police drama that ran from 1982 to 1986 and is identified as the company's final television series. The end of its run coincided with the conclusion of Spelling-Goldberg's active operations.

• Made-for-television moviesTelevision films1972

  Spelling-Goldberg produced a broad slate of television movies, particularly for ABC's movie programming franchises. Listed titles include The Daughters of Joshua Cabe, A Cold Night's Death, Satan's School for Girls, The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, and numerous other dramas, thrillers, and event films.

• 1982Sell the company to Columbia PicturesM&A

  Following the earlier transfer of several series and the end of the Spelling-Goldberg partnership, Columbia Pictures acquired the production company and its associated business interests.

  What changed. Columbia Pictures purchased Spelling-Goldberg Productions on May 17, 1982.

  Aftermath. The company's television library entered the Columbia Pictures television succession and is now owned by Sony Pictures Television.

  Reported acquisition price. more than $40 million (May 17, 1982)

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• 1977Sell four series to Columbia Pictures TelevisionM&A

  Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg decided to part ways after operating the company together.

  What changed. The partners sold S.W.A.T., Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and Family to Columbia Pictures Television.

  Aftermath. The transaction moved four important series into Columbia's television business before Columbia acquired the company itself in 1982.

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• 1973Outsource post-broadcast distribution through MetromediaStrategy

  The company needed a route for its television programs and movies to reach the off-network syndication market after their initial broadcasts.

  What changed. Spelling-Goldberg entered an arrangement with Metromedia Producers Corporation to distribute post-1973 output, including television movies and Chopper One.

  Aftermath. The arrangement gave the company's programs a distribution path beyond their original network runs. The Rookies followed a separate syndication route after a dispute with Worldvision Enterprises.

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• 1986Active operations end after T. J. Hooker

  The company's active operations had ended by May 1986, after the final episode of T. J. Hooker aired.

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• 1982Columbia Pictures acquires Spelling-Goldberg Productions

  Columbia Pictures purchased the company on May 17, 1982, in a transaction reported at more than $40 million.

  M&A
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• 1977Four series are sold to Columbia Pictures Television

  After Spelling and Goldberg decided to separate, S.W.A.T., Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and Family were sold to Columbia Pictures Television.

  M&A
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• 1973Company reaches syndication arrangement with Metromedia

  Spelling-Goldberg arranged for Metromedia Producers Corporation to distribute post-1973 output for off-network syndication, including television movies and Chopper One.

  Other
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• 1972Spelling-Goldberg Productions is established

  Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg established the production company on May 1, 1972.

  Other
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• The Rookies distribution dispute leads to a change in syndication distributor

  The company became involved in litigation with Worldvision Enterprises over distribution of The Rookies. Following the dispute, Viacom Enterprises handled domestic syndication of the program.

  Lawsuit
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1. Spelling-Goldberg Productions