Paramount International Networks

Last updated

Paramount International Networks
Formerly
  • MTV Networks International (1987–2011)
  • Viacom International Media Networks (2011–2019)
  • ViacomCBS Networks International (2019–2022)
Company type Division
Industry Broadcasting
Founded1987;37 years ago (1987)
Headquarters
Key people
  • Pam Kaufman (president and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences)
Parent Paramount Global
Divisions

Paramount International Networks (PIN) [1] is the international division of the Paramount Media Networks subsidiary of Paramount Global that oversees the production, broadcasting and promotion of its brands outside of the United States. These brands include Paramount Network, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and BET, [2] as well as CBS-branded channels co-owned with AMC Networks International. PIN also owned a 30% stake in the Rainbow S.p.A. animation studio in Italy from 2011 to 2023 [3] and a stake (majority, then later minority) stake in Viacom18, an Indian joint venture with domestic partner TV18, from 2007 to 2024.

Contents

The division is headquartered within Paramount Global's offices in New York City and London, with other international offices located in São Paulo, Berlin, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Lagos, Madrid, Milan, Mumbai, Paris, Singapore, Budapest, Belgrade and Sydney amongst others. Its first international offices opened in the late 1980s in London and Amsterdam with the launch of MTV Europe (now MTV Global). It was created from a rebrand of predecessor Viacom's MTV Networks, which included MTV, BET, VH1 and Nickelodeon, to include Comedy Central. MTV Asia was a leader against rival Channel V in China, India and South Korea in 1999. [4]

Currently led by Pamela "Pam" Kaufman as part of her broader role as president and CEO of international markets, the division under one of its previous names "Viacom International Media Networks" was previously led from 2011 to 2016 by Robert "Bob" Bakish, in one of his many roles at the conglomerate, having joined Paramount Global's predecessor, Viacom, in its first incarnation in 1997. In 2016, Bakish got promoted to CEO of the second incarnation of Viacom and stayed on as such following its merger with CBS Corporation to form ViacomCBS, renamed Paramount Global in 2022. He stepped down as CEO and left the conglomerate on 29 April 2024.

Divisions

Since 14 January 2020, this division consists of two brand groups (Entertainment and Youth Brands, Kids and Family), and three regional hubs (UK & Australia, EMEAA and Americas). [2]

United Kingdom and Australia

Paramount Networks UK & Australia, formerly ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia is a regional subsidiary of Paramount Global launched on 14 January 2020 and headquartered in London with a local office in Sydney that serves the United Kingdom and Australia. It also oversees Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited and Ten Network Holdings, the respective corporate overseers of British free-to-air channel, Channel 5 and Australian free-to-air channel Network 10.

Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia

Paramount Networks EMEAA, formerly MTV Networks Europe, Viacom International Media Networks Europe and ViacomCBS Networks EMEAA, is a subsidiary of Paramount Global which serves Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

It currently consists of the following branches:

India

Viacom18 is a joint venture between Paramount Global and TV18, which operates the former's television brands in India along with homegrown brand Colors. Paramount owned the company from 2007 until 2024. [5]

The Americas

Paramount Networks Americas , formerly MTV Networks Latin America, Viacom International Media Networks The Americas and ViacomCBS Networks Americas, is a regional subsidiary of Paramount International Networks. Its operational headquarters is located in Miami, Florida, with offices in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. As currently being based in the United States, all PNA channels are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, the broadcasting regulator the United States, despite not yet transmitting over there.

Production company

In 2016, Viacom launched its own subsidiary Viacom International Studios, which have its headquarters in Miami. Its first production was I Am Frankie for Nickelodeon. [6] Following the Viacom-CBS merger, it was rebranded to ViacomCBS International Studios (or simply VIS). On 24 June 2020, both ViacomCBS International Studios and sister sibling Miramax is planning on to co-produce The Turkish Detective, the series adaptation of the novels. [7] On 2 September 2020, it returned to production with Mexico's backdoor structure [8] On 7 October 2020, ViacomCBS International Studios revealed a streamlining its sales structure. [9] On 30 November 2021, the studio launched a first-look deal program with 5 British writers to amplify diverse voices. [10]

With its parent company rebranded to the current Paramount Global in 2022, its international division was rebranded as Paramount Television International Studios, with a new focus across all international markets. It now touts itself as "concentrating on premium scripted content that reflects the cultures and experiences of our diverse international audiences," while driving the growth in acquisitions and engagement of Paramount+ worldwide. [11] It is led by Maria Kyriacou, president of broadcast and studios, international markets.

BET

Current channels

Former channels

Channel 5 (United Kingdom)

On 1 May 2014, Viacom acquired Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd, and its current channels are:

CMT

Comedy Central

Current channels

  • Europe
  • Comedy Central Europe

Former Channels

  • Denmark
  • Comedy Central Denmark
  • Hungary
  • Comedy Central Family

MTV

Current channels

Former channels

Network 10 (Australia)

Network 10 is one of Australia's three commercial free-to-air channels. Its parent company, Ten Network Holdings was bought by CBS Corporation on 16 November 2017, in turn becoming part of ViacomCBS Networks International, later Paramount International Networks following the 2019 Viacom-CBS merger.

Nickelodeon

Current channels

Former channels

  • Estonia
  • Nickelodeon (Estonian TV programming block)

Nick Jr. Channel

Current channels

  • Kazakhstan
  • Nick Jr. (Kazakhstan)
  • Turkey
  • Nick Jr. (Turkey)

Former channels

Nicktoons

Current channels

Former channels

  • Latin America
  • Nicktoons Latin America

TeenNick

Current channels

  • Hungary
  • TeenNick Hungary
  • Latin America
  • TeenNick Latin America
  • Poland
  • TeenNick Poland
  • Romania
  • TeenNick Romania

Former channels

  • Greece
  • TeenNick Greece

NickMusic

Paramount Network

Current channels

Former channels

Smithsonian Channel

Current channels

  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Smithsonian Channel Africa

Former channels

  • Latin America
  • Smithsonian Channel Latin America

VH1

Current channels

Former channels

  • Middle East and North Africa
  • VH1

Other networks

Chilevisión

Game One

J-One

Super!

Telefe

CBS International (co-owned with AMC Networks International)

United Kingdom

Europe and Africa

TMF

VIVA

VIVA Media GmbH (until 2004 VIVA Media AG ) was a music television network originating from Germany. It was founded as an alternative to MTV by Time Warner executives Tom McGrath and Peter Bogner with Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher from DoRo Productions, which created music videos. [13] The channel was a broadcast of VIVA Germany as VIVA Media AG in 1993 later in 1995 of Viva Zwei launch, and has been owned by their former competitor Viacom, the parent company of MTV, since 2004. Viva channels exist in some European countries; the first spin-offs were launched in Poland and Switzerland in 2000.

Austria

VIVA Austria was launched in May 2012, 15% of the channel's programming consists of Austrian music, music tops, and lifestyle programming focused on the Austrian market. The channels marketing and promotion are managed by Goldback Media. Before 2012, VIVA Germany aired across Austria with localized advertising and sponsorship for Austria.

Germany

VIVA Germany

German-speaking Switzerland

VIVA Switzerland

Poland

VIVA Poland was a Polish music channel launched on 10 June 2000 by the German VIVA Media AG. On 17 July 2012, the channel stopped being an FTA network and was pulled off from Eutelsat Hot Bird 13A satellite. In 2014, the station canceled local production shows. In 2015 - 2017, the station canceled all reality TV shows and continued playing only electronic dance music. Before the new broadcast schedule, the station was playing Polish and international pop, dance, rock, and hip hop music.

Hungary

VIVA Hungary was a music channel launched on 27 June 1997 as Z+. Like its sister channels, the channel features localized music videos, programming, presenters, and chart shows. The channel started to use the new logo on 2 April 2012. The channel ended broadcast on 3 October 2017 replaced by MTV Music.

United Kingdom & Ireland

VIVA UK & Ireland was launched on 26 October 2009, replacing TMF, and ceased broadcasting on 31 January 2018.

Notes

  1. Owned by Bell Media, now as CTV Comedy Channel; programming shared with Much (TV channel)
  2. 1 2 3 Co-owned by Sky Group
  3. Owned by Bell Media, under license from Paramount
  4. Replaced on DTT by VH1 Italy in March 2016. Available only on Sky Italia.
  5. Co-owned by Sanlih E-Television
  6. Serving Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia
  7. closed in September 2016
  8. 1 2 3 replaced by both MTV Hits France & BET France on 17 November 2015
  9. replaced with Nickelodeon in 2005
  10. Joint venture with Karsa Group
  11. Closed in 2009 and the channel has been replaced in 2011
  12. except TMF Vlaanderen; all others replaced with VIVA in 2009
  13. Closed on 1 February 2021
  14. Joint venture with Viva Entertainment
  15. Joint venture with Solar Entertainment Corporation
  16. 1 2 Co-owned by All Youth Channels, a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation's Creative Programs
  17. 1 2 Joint venture with SBS
  18. Co-owned by MCOT
  19. Joint venture with IMC Group
  20. 1 2 Owned by Corus Entertainment, under license from Paramount
  21. Nickelodeon TV block, closed in October 2007
  22. Now defunct, replaced by the Australian version [12]
  23. American digital cable and satellite channel, closed on 31 December 2007 for most cable providers and 23 April 2009 on Dish Network. Replaced by a 24-hour version of The N
  24. Closed on September 2017
  25. Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
  26. British spinoff of Nicktoons U.K., closed 31 July 2009. Replaced by Nicktoons Replay (1-hour delayed timeshift feed of main Nicktoons channel)
  27. French programming block on Canal J
  28. now Spike Netherlands
  29. Formerly RTL Spike (Licensed by RTL Group)
  30. Formerly Viacom Bink!
  31. Part of the Channel 5 network, 2015–2020. Now 5Action
  32. Joint with Rock Entertainment Holdings
  33. Amsterdam only; replaced with Nickelodeon
  34. replaced with MTV Flux in summer 2006

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickelodeon</span> American childrens pay television channel

Nickelodeon is an American pay television channel owned by Paramount Global through Paramount Media Networks' subdivision, Nickelodeon Group. Launched on April 1, 1979, as the first cable channel for children, the channel is primarily aimed at children and adolescents aged 2 to 17, along with a broader family audience through its program blocks.

Paramount Media Networks is an American mass media division of Paramount Global that oversees the operations of many of its television channels and online brands. Its related international division is Paramount International Networks.

TMF was a music video and entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The channel was owned by Viacom International Media Networks and was originally a Dutch channel. Formed after the two other TMF stations, which were based in mainland Europe, the channel was created to counter against EMAP's The Hits channel on the new free-to-air digital terrestrial television service Freeview in 2002. The channel ceased broadcasting on 26 October 2009.

Paramount Networks Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia (EMEAA) is a division of Paramount International Networks which is fully owned by Paramount Global. The unit's headquarters are in Madrid, with additional offices in Berlin, Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Dubai, Johannesburg, Lagos, Budapest, Warsaw, Singapore, Stockholm, Tokyo, Beijing, Manila, Copenhagen, Prague, Helsinki, and Hong Kong. The company was originally founded under the name MTV Networks Europe in 1987.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickelodeon (German TV channel)</span> German childrens TV channel

Nickelodeon is a German free-to-air television channel for children, part of the international. based on the U.S. counterpart brand originally launched in 1995, and relaunched in 2005, Nickelodeon is based in Berlin. The channel is available on subscription services and as an unscrambled, free-to-air (FTA) satellite signal. On 31 March 2010, the channel re-adopted the name Nickelodeon on air and online, in addition to the new Nickelodeon logo and graphical package being rolled out internationally at the time. The "Nickelodeon" name was re-adopted once again when it rebranded on 1 August 2023, nearly 5 months after its rebrand in the U.S. Since then, the channel is also broadcast in English in addition to German on a secondary audio track. It is aimed at kids between the ages of 6 and 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comedy Central (German TV channel)</span> German television station

Comedy Central is a German free-to-air channel owned by Paramount Networks EMEAA. It is distributed in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and broadcasts many American and British imported television series as well as original programming. It launched on 15 January 2007 replacing former music channel VIVA Plus. Prior to its launch, Viacom had Nick Comedy, it is a licensed version of the U.S. channel of the same name, which was a timeshared channel with Nickelodeon Germany, airing from 9:15pm to 6:00am.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickelodeon (Latin American TV channel)</span> Pay television channel

Nickelodeon is a Hispanic/Latin American pay television channel, counterpart of the American network of the same name. It is owned by Paramount Networks Americas and was launched on 20 December 1996. Aside from airing Nick and Nick Jr. content, it has produced original programming for the channel and has been sold to local distributors worldwide except for Cuba as cable television is banned in that country.

Nickelodeon was a Russian language children's television channel launched on November 15, 1998, across the Post-Soviet states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickelodeon (European TV network)</span> Television channel

Nickelodeon is a pay television network dedicated to kids. Nickelodeon is widely available throughout Europe as a subscription service or free-to-air service; depending on what region in Europe you are living in. Nickelodeon is seen in 24.2 million households throughout Europe, via channels and blocks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickelodeon (Sub-Saharan African TV channel)</span> Childrens television channel in Africa

Nickelodeon is a South African 24-hour television channel owned by Paramount Networks EMEAA. The channel was launched on July 1, 2008. North Africa receives the Arabic-language version of the channel Nickelodeon MENA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickelodeon Schweiz</span> Swiss childrens TV channel

Nickelodeon Schweiz is a Swiss German-language pay television channel centred towards children. It was launched on 1 April 2009 timesharing with VIVA Switzerland, replacing the German feed that was available in Switzerland. The programming schedule is the same as Nickelodeon Germany feed, with commercial breaks from the country being replaced by local ads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Music 24</span> Pan-European music television channel

MTV Music 24 was a Pan-European music television channel operated by ViacomCBS Networks EMEAA. The channel was available in multiple countries across Europe. The programming consists of non-stop music videos 24-hours a day. The channel first launched in the Netherlands and Flanders in 2011. Since then the channel has rolled out across many parts of Europe including Germany and it is available in South Africa. In March 2020, the channel launched in Poland replacing the version of MTV Music Polska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Jr. Channel</span> American childrens television channel

The Nick Jr. Channel, sometimes shortened to Nick Jr., is an American pay television channel spun off from Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. programming block and owned and operated by the Nickelodeon Group, a sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on September 28, 2009 in the channel space previously held by Noggin, the channel primarily targets preschoolers and toddlers ages 2 to 6 years old. Its lineup features a mix of original programming, along with series from the Nick Jr. block; to avoid confusion between the two different entities, the separate channel has been identified on-air as the "Nick Jr. Channel" since March 2018 to the present day for promos and until September 2023 for the on-screen graphic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TeenNick</span> U.S. teen-focused cable and satellite TV channel

TeenNick is an American pay-TV channel that is operated by the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Aimed primarily at teens and tweens, its programming includes a variety of live-action series inherited from sister channel Nickelodeon. The channel launched on September 28, 2009, as the merger between two defunct programming blocks which also targeted a teenage audience: TEENick on Nickelodeon and The N on Noggin. Before its introduction as a channel, TeenNick's space used to be held by Nick GAS and a short-lived, 24-hour version of The N.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicktoons (European TV channel)</span> Pan-European childrens TV channel

Nicktoons is a European international pay television network operated by Paramount Networks EMEAA. Launched on 1 February 2017, international version of the American TV channel Nicktoons, the network serves many of the countries in the European Union, and features several feeds differentiated by time zones and local languages being the primary audio feed offered, with other languages offered through second audio program options. Other networks may display the domestic language as open-access subtitles.

Nickelodeon Group, also known as Nickelodeon Networks Inc., is an American children's entertainment company and a sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global that oversees cable television channels, including its flagship service Nickelodeon, its in-house animation studio and Paws, Inc.

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