Editing Paramount Media Networks (section)

== History ==
=== Pre-launch: Warner Communications joint venture (1977–1984) ===
'''Warner Cable Communications''' was founded on December 1, 1977, by [[Time Warner Cable|Warner Cable]], itself a division of [[Warner Communications]], to launch [[QUBE]], an interactive cable television network. Seeing the potential in the creation of new cable networks, Warner Cable divested QUBE's biggest brands, Star Channel, Pinwheel and Sight on Sound, into nationwide outlets. Star Channel began by satellite in January 1979 and was renamed [[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 [[AMC Networks]]) division to launch [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]], a cable network dedicated to arts and films, on December 1, 1980. 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |author1=MCN Staff |date=2002-11-04 |title=NBC to Buy Bravo |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/nbc-buy-bravo-154810 |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=Multichannel News |language=en}}</ref>

On August 1, 1981, [[MTV]] debuted. In 1983, concerned by the strategic and financial failure of its pay-television venture The Movie Channel (started to reap the benefits Time Inc. was having with [[HBO]] and [[Cinemax]]), WASEC established a joint venture with [[Viacom (1952–2006)|Viacom]], merging TMC with their premium movie network Showtime to form [[Showtime Networks|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 it's assets to Warner-Amex Cable Entertainment and rebrand it as MTV Networks.<ref name="worldradio">{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=June 25, 1984|title=Warner takes MTV, Nickelodeon public|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/84-OCR/BC-1984-06-25-OCR-Page-0058.pdf#search=%22mtv%20networks%22|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|access-date=January 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/19/business/business-people-a-chief-is-named-by-mtv-networks.html |title=BUSINESS PEOPLE; A Chief Is Named By MTV Networks |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 19, 1985 |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=June 1, 2014}}</ref> A year later, Warner would acquire the 50% stake from American Express.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=August 12, 1985|title=Warner to buy out American Express; MTV to go private (page 29)|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-08-12.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|access-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=August 27, 1985|title=Viacom to Buy Warner Stake In Cable Units|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/08/27/viacom-to-buy-warner-stake-in-cable-units/f9a17068-093d-4d39-be78-e7b0a0724ac4/|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=September 2, 1985|title=Viacom gets its MTV (page 50)|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-09-02.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|access-date=January 13, 2022}}</ref>

In November 1985, Viacom announced that it had plans to buy the remaining 69% of MTV Networks from Warner for $326 million,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabrikant|first=Geraldine|date=1986-09-17|title=VIACOM CHIEF LEADS GROUP'S BUYOUT BID (Published 1986)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/17/business/viacom-chief-leads-group-s-buyout-bid.html|access-date=2021-01-23|issn=0362-4331|quote=In November 1985, Viacom acquired MTV Networks for $326 million in cash and warrants. One-third of MTV was publicly owned; the rest was owned by Warner Communications and the American Express Company. At the same time, Viacom bought 50 percent of Showtime, the pay television service, that it did not already own for $184 million.}}</ref> and the acquisition was completed on May 20, 1986.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=May 20, 1986|title=Viacom has bought MTV and Showtime/TMC|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-05-26-OCR-Page-0045.pdf#search=%22viacom%20mtv%20networks%22|periodical=Broadcasting|publisher=Broadcasting Publications, Inc.|via=World Radio History|access-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref>

In 1988, the company partnered with fellow Viacom subsidiary [[Viacom Productions|Viacom Enterprises]] to handle advertising sales of ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]'', a syndicated television series.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 18, 1988 |title=Superboy barter |pages=61 |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]] |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-07-18-OCR-Page-0061.pdf |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref> The division was later evolved into One World Entertainment in the early 1990s, who partnered to launch a [[VH1]] syndicated series.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Rich |date=October 5, 1992 |title=VH-1 looks for syndication hit |pages=32 |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]] |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/92-OCR/BC-1992-10-05-OCR-Page-0032.pdf |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref> In 2003, MTV Networks assumed full ownership of [[Comedy Central]] from [[WarnerMedia|AOL Time Warner.]]

On December 31, 2005, the remnants of MTV Networks and Showtime Networks were separated following Viacom's split into two entities: [[CBS Corporation]], which retained [[CBS]], [[UPN]], [[Simon & Schuster]] and Showtime Networks ([[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]], The Movie Channel, and [[Flix (TV network)|Flix]]), and a spun-off company under the [[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom]] name, which took ownership of [[Paramount Pictures]], [[BET Networks]] and MTV Networks (Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, and VH1).

=== Expansion (2011–2019) ===
MTV Networks was renamed '''Viacom Media Networks''' in 2011. In the fall of 2012, media analysts began to report that ratings among some of Viacom's leading brands in the United States were experiencing declines in viewership.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jannarone |first=John |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204005004578081250039467718 |title=Audiences Fall for MTV, Comedy Central |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=June 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Flint |first=Joe |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2012-oct-10-la-et-ct-mtv-ratings-20121010-story.html |title=MTV has big ratings issue, analyst warns |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=June 22, 2013}}</ref> 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 Paramount Pictures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/viacom-ceo-bob-bakish-supports-paramount-non-core-networks-how-long-1201906682/|title=Viacom CEO Supports Paramount And Non-Core Networks – But For How Long?|last=Lieberman|first=David|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/viacom-stock-rises-restructuring-410804|title=Viacom Stock Rises on Restructuring|website=Multichannel|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mesalliance.org/2017/02/09/viacom-unveils-five-point-turnaround-plan-mesa/|title=Viacom Unveils Five-Point Turnaround Plan (MESA)|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tbivision.com/2017/02/09/viacom-outlines-five-point-turnaround-plan/713091/|title=Viacom outlines five point turnaround plan|website=TBI Vision|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 2, 2019}}</ref> In February 2017, cable channels [[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT]] and [[TV Land]] were moved from the Kids and Family Group to the Global Entertainment Group under Kevin Kay, joining up with Spike TV.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |title=Viacom Restructure: CMT, TV Land Moved to Kevin Kay's Global Entertainment Group |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-restructure-cmt-tv-land-moved-kevin-kays-global-entertainment-group-971007 |access-date=February 5, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 1, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> During the same month, it was announced that Spike would be relaunched as [[Paramount Network]] in 2018, aligning with the namesake film studio and being positioned as Viacom's main general entertainment outlet.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/spike-the-paramount-network-renamed-viacom-rebranding-1201906611/|title=Spike President On Channel's Rebranding As The Paramount Network|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=February 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/spike-name-change-the-paramount-network-viacom-1201906039/|title=Spike To Change Name & Become The Paramount Network In Viacom Rebranding|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> BET Networks launched [[BET+]] in September of 2017.

In October 2018, Kevin Kay was announced to be leaving his position as head of the Entertainment Group. CMT was transferred from the Entertainment Group to the Music Group under president Chris McCarthy, with his exit. Executive Kent Alterman would take charge of Paramount Network and TV Land to go with his current leadership of Comedy Central and [[Bellator MMA]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Holloway |first1=Daniel |last2=Otterson |first2=Joe |title=Kevin Kay Exits Paramount Network as Viacom Reorganizes Cable Channels |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/kevin-kay-paramont-network-1202994450/ |access-date=February 5, 2019 |work=Variety |date=October 25, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, after acquiring the free streaming service [[Pluto TV]], Viacom would launch several channels on the service branded after its Media Networks and company–owned [[intellectual properties|IP]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/viacom-acquires-free-streaming-platform-pluto-tv-340-million-1178191|title=Viacom Acquires Free Streaming Platform Pluto TV for $340 Million|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 22, 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190304005551/en/Viacom-Announces-Completion-Pluto-TV-Acquisition|title=Viacom Announces Completion of Pluto TV Acquisition|date=2019-03-04|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/viacom-newfronts-pluto-tv-channels-originals-slate-1203200042/|title=Viacom Launching 14 Free Channels on Pluto TV, Sets Broad Digital Originals Slate|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2019-04-29|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-04-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://digiday.com/media/viacom-will-debut-15-channels-pluto-tv-bolster-upfront-pitch/|title=Viacom will debut 15 channels on Pluto TV to bolster its upfront pitch|first=Tim|last=Peterson|date=16 April 2019|access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref>

=== Reintroduction and re-merger with CBS (2019–2024) ===
In August 2019, Viacom announced that it would [[2019 merger of CBS and Viacom|merge with CBS Corporation]], reuniting the two entities under the [[Paramount Global|ViacomCBS]] name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-viacom-strike-deal-recombine-1075545|title=CBS, Viacom Strike Deal to Recombine|publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=August 13, 2019|access-date=August 15, 2019|first1=George|last1=Szalai|first2=Paul|last2=Bond|first3=Etan|last3=Vlessing}}</ref><ref name="ViacomCBSOfficialPDF">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbscorporation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ViacomCBS-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf|title=CBS and Viacom To Combine|work=CBS|date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813190148/https://www.cbscorporation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ViacomCBS-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf|archive-date=August 13, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> The merger closed on December 4, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/viacom-cbs-early-december-merger-1203386237/|title=Viacom, CBS Set to Merge in Early December|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 28, 2019|access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8541228/viacom-cbs-merger-now-expected-to-close-in-early-december|title=Viacom-CBS Merger Now Expected to Close in 'Early December'|last=Weprin|first=Alex|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=October 29, 2019}}</ref> Announced on November 11, 2019, as part of the re–merger, the Media Networks division was renamed '''ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks''', and reorganized.

MTV, VH1, CMT and [[Logo TV|Logo]] were reorganized into the "Entertainment & Youth Group",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/11/viacomcbs-shakes-up-its-content-leadership-teams-following-merger/|title=ViacomCBS shakes up its content leadership teams following merger|website=TechCrunch|date=November 11, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref> with the addition of Comedy Central, Paramount Network, [[Smithsonian Channel]], and TV Land. BET Networks was merged with Showtime Networks under CEO [[David Nevins (television producer)|David Nevins]], who also temporarily gained oversight of [[Pop (American TV channel)|Pop TV]] (formerly co-owned with [[Lionsgate]]);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191111005169/en/Viacom-CBS-Announce-Content-Digital-Leadership|title=Viacom and CBS Announce Content and Digital Leadership &#124; Business Wire}}</ref> Pop TV was transferred to the Entertainment & Youth Group on January 15, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/pop-tv-bellator-mma-viacomcbs-1203468564|title=ViacomCBS Shuffles Oversight of Pop TV, Bellator MMA Amid Post-Merger Restructuring (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Littleton|first=Cynthia|work=Variety|date=January 15, 2020}}</ref> 

On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS was renamed as Paramount Global, and ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks was renamed '''Paramount Media Networks'''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2022-04-29 |title=Michael Fabiani Upped To SVP Communications, Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/michael-fabiani-promoted-svp-communications-paramount-media-networks-mtv-entertainment-studios-1235012916/ |access-date=2022-06-15 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022, MTV Entertainment Group partnered with Second Chance Studios to help formerly incarcerated individuals launch media careers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Studios |first=Second Chance |title=Second Chance Studios Graduates First Class of Formerly Incarcerated Fellows, Partnering with MTV Entertainment Group to Launch Media Careers |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/second-chance-studios-graduates-first-class-of-formerly-incarcerated-fellows-partnering-with-mtv-entertainment-group-to-launch-media-careers-301536721.html |access-date=2022-07-13 |website=prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref> On May 9, 2023, Paramount restructured its U.S. domestic network business.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/mtv-news-shuts-down-paramount-layoffs-showtime-networks-1235607638/|first=Jenniffer|last=Maas|date=2023-05-09|access-date=2023-05-18|title=Paramount Media Networks, Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios to Lay Off 25% of U.S. Staff as MTV News Shuts Down|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> 

Near the end of 2023, Paramount announced that the mobile apps for Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and Showtime would cease operations at on January 31, 2024. The reason was to encourage users to sign up for [[Paramount+]]. The Nickelodeon Group shut down [[Noggin (brand)|Noggin]] on July 2 of that same year for the same reason.

=== Paramount/Skydance merger (2024–present) ===
{{Main|Proposed merger of Skydance Media and Paramount Global}}
On April 29, 2024, President and CEO [[Bob Bakish]] was replaced by led by [[Brian Robbins]], George Cheeks, and [[Chris McCarthy (executive)|Chris McCarthy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldsmith |first=Jill |date=2024-04-29 |title=It's Official: Bob Bakish Is Out At Paramount Global, Trio Of Division Heads Form New Office Of The CEO |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/bob-bakish-leaving-paramount-global-division-heads-office-of-ceo-1235898125/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> This action was the result of Bakish's reported opposition of the Skydance deal.<ref name="LAAQQ">{{Cite web |last=James |first=Meg |date=July 3, 2024 |title=So the Paramount and Skydance deal is back on track. What happened and what's next? |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-07-03/paramount-and-skydance-deal-is-back-on-track-what-happened-and-whats-next |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=[[The Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> McCarthy was legally designated the company's "interim principal executive officer" in order to comply with [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|SEC]] regulations stipulating that one person must conduct "the normal course of business".<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldsmith |first=Jill |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Paramount Unveils Bob Bakish Exit Terms, Names Chris McCarthy 'Interim Principal Executive' For SEC Purposes |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/paramount-bob-bakish-exit-terms-chris-mccarthy-interim-principal-executive-1235904035/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref>

By July 2, 2024, Skydance renegotiated the deal and reached a preliminary agreement to acquire National Amusements and merge with Paramount.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Mullin |first=Benjamin |last2=Hirsch |first2=Lauren |date=2024-07-02 |title=Paramount and Skydance Are Said to Reach a Deal to Merge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/02/business/media/paramount-skydance-merger-talks.html |access-date=2024-07-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The deal was referred by National Amusements to Paramount's special committee.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Lillian |date=July 2, 2024 |title=Skydance and National Amusements near Paramount deal as special committee reviews terms |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/skydance-national-amusements-paramount-deal-special-committee-reviews-rcna160084 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref> Also, Paramount reportedly entered talks for a sale of the [[BET Media Group]] to buyers led by BET CEO [[Scott Mills (businessman)|Scott Mills]] for $1.6-$1.7 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=July 2, 2024 |title=Paramount Reportedly in Talks to Sell BET for $1.6 Billion in Buyout Led by CEO Scott Mills |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/paramount-bet-buyout-talks-scott-mills-1236059457/ |access-date=July 8, 2024 |website=Variety}}</ref>