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HISTORY
Explore Viacom's history: |
| | 1971 |
| | On June 4, 1971, Viacom completes the spin-off from Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc., (CBS) and establishes itself as a public company. |
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| | 1983 |
| Viacom forms a joint venture with Warner Communications Inc. and Warner Amex Cable Communications. >> |
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| | 1971 |
| | On June 4, 1971, Viacom completes the spin-off from Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc., (CBS) and establishes itself as a public company. |
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| | 1983 |
| Viacom forms a joint venture with Warner Communications Inc. and Warner Amex Cable Communications. >> |
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| 1971 |
| | On June 4, 1971, Viacom completes the spin-off from Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc., (CBS) and establishes itself as a public company. |
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| | 1983 |
| Viacom forms a joint venture with Warner Communications Inc. and Warner Amex Cable Communications. >> |
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1983
This venture results in the joint operation of both Showtime and The Movie Channel, dubbing the venture Showtime/The Movie Channel. | | <<Back |
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| | 1985 |
| In 1985, Viacom acquires approximately 66 percent of MTV Networks. >> |
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| 1983 |
| Viacom forms a joint venture with Warner Communications Inc. and Warner Amex Cable Communications. >> |
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| | 1985 |
| In 1985, Viacom acquires approximately 66 percent of MTV Networks. >> |
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1985
MTV Networks includes MTV: Music Television, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite and VH1. | | <<Back |
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| | 1986 |
| | In 1986, Viacom purchases the remaining interest of MTV Networks that it did not already own for $185,000. |
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| 1985 |
| In 1985, Viacom acquires approximately 66 percent of MTV Networks. >> |
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| | 1986 |
| | In 1986, Viacom purchases the remaining interest of MTV Networks that it did not already own for $185,000. |
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| | 1987 |
| National Amusements, Inc., acquires 83 percent of Viacom.
| | MTV begins its international expansion with the launch of MTV Europe. |
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| 1986 |
| | In 1986, Viacom purchases the remaining interest of MTV Networks that it did not already own for $185,000. |
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| | 1987 |
| National Amusements, Inc., acquires 83 percent of Viacom.
| | MTV begins its international expansion with the launch of MTV Europe. |
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| | 1991 |
| | Viacom acquires the 50.01 percent of MTV Europe it does not already own for $65 million. |
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| 1987 |
| National Amusements, Inc., acquires 83 percent of Viacom.
| | MTV begins its international expansion with the launch of MTV Europe. |
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| | 1991 |
| | Viacom acquires the 50.01 percent of MTV Europe it does not already own for $65 million. |
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| | 1994 |
| | Viacom completes $9.9 billion merger with Paramount Communications Inc. |
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| 1991 |
| | Viacom acquires the 50.01 percent of MTV Europe it does not already own for $65 million. |
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| | 1994 |
| | Viacom completes $9.9 billion merger with Paramount Communications Inc. |
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| | 1996 |
| MTV launches MTV2. >>
| Nick at Nite launches TV Land. >> |
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| 1994 |
| | Viacom completes $9.9 billion merger with Paramount Communications Inc. |
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| | 1996 |
| MTV launches MTV2. >>
| Nick at Nite launches TV Land. >> |
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1996
MTV2 is a music network devoted to a diverse mix of music videos. | | <<Back |
1996
TV Land is a network dedicated to classic television. | | <<Back |
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| | 1998 |
| MTVN launches The Suite from MTV Networks. >> |
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| 1996 |
| MTV launches MTV2. >>
| Nick at Nite launches TV Land. >> |
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| | 1998 |
| MTVN launches The Suite from MTV Networks. >> |
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1998
The Suite includes digital channels MTV2, MTV Indie, MTV Ritmo, MTV Rocks, VH1 Country, VH1 Smooth and VH1 Soul. | | <<Back |
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| | 1999 |
| | Viacom (VIA, VIA.B) starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange. |
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| 1998 |
| MTVN launches The Suite from MTV Networks. >> |
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| | 1999 |
| | Viacom (VIA, VIA.B) starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange. |
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| | 2000 |
| | Viacom completes a $39.8 billion merger with CBS Corporation. |
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| 1999 |
| | Viacom (VIA, VIA.B) starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange. |
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| | 2000 |
| | Viacom completes a $39.8 billion merger with CBS Corporation. |
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| | 2001 |
| BET launches digital cable offerings. >>
| The acquisition of BET Holdings II, Inc., is completed for $3 billion. >> |
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| 2000 |
| | Viacom completes a $39.8 billion merger with CBS Corporation. |
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| | 2001 |
| BET launches digital cable offerings. >>
| The acquisition of BET Holdings II, Inc., is completed for $3 billion. >> |
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2001
New digital cable offerings include BET on Jazz: The Jazz Channel and BET International, as well as new channels, BET Gospel, BET Classic Soul and BET Hip-Hop. | | <<Back |
2001
BET Holdings II operates Black Entertainment Television (BET) and BET Jazz: The Jazz Channel. | | <<Back |
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| | 2002 |
| MTV acquires The College Television Network.
| Nickelodeon acquires Sesame Workshop’s 50 percent interest in Noggin for approximately $100 million. >>
| Noggin launches The N. >> |
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| 2001 |
| BET launches digital cable offerings. >>
| The acquisition of BET Holdings II, Inc., is completed for $3 billion. >> |
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| | 2002 |
| MTV acquires The College Television Network.
| Nickelodeon acquires Sesame Workshop’s 50 percent interest in Noggin for approximately $100 million. >>
| Noggin launches The N. >> |
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2002
Noggin is an educational network dedicated to preschoolers. | | <<Back |
2002
The N is a nighttime network for teens. | | <<Back |
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| | 2003 |
| Viacom purchases the remaining 50 percent interest in COMEDY CENTRAL that it did not already own for $1.2 billion. >>
| The New TNN relaunches as Spike TV. >> |
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| 2002 |
| MTV acquires The College Television Network.
| Nickelodeon acquires Sesame Workshop’s 50 percent interest in Noggin for approximately $100 million. >>
| Noggin launches The N. >> |
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| | 2003 |
| Viacom purchases the remaining 50 percent interest in COMEDY CENTRAL that it did not already own for $1.2 billion. >>
| The New TNN relaunches as Spike TV. >> |
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2003
COMEDY CENTRAL is television's only all-comedy network. | | <<Back |
2003
Spike TV is the first network for men. | | <<Back |
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| | 2004 |
| The College Television Network re-launches as mtvU. >> |
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| 2003 |
| Viacom purchases the remaining 50 percent interest in COMEDY CENTRAL that it did not already own for $1.2 billion. >>
| The New TNN relaunches as Spike TV. >> |
| | << |
| | 2004 |
| The College Television Network re-launches as mtvU. >> |
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2004
mtvU is the only 24-hour network created for and by college students. | | <<Back |
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| | 2005 |
| Viacom Inc. is formed following the separation of the former Viacom Inc. >>
| MTVN acquires GameTrailers, GoCityKids, IFILM and Neopets.
| MTVN launches Logo. >>
| MTVN launches its first broadband channels. >>
| MTVN marks its 100th channel milestone with the launch of MTV base in Africa. >>
| MTVN completes its acquisition of 97.8 percent of VIVA Media AG. >> |
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| 2004 |
| The College Television Network re-launches as mtvU. >> |
| | << |
| | 2005 |
| Viacom Inc. is formed following the separation of the former Viacom Inc. >>
| MTVN acquires GameTrailers, GoCityKids, IFILM and Neopets.
| MTVN launches Logo. >>
| MTVN launches its first broadband channels. >>
| MTVN marks its 100th channel milestone with the launch of MTV base in Africa. >>
| MTVN completes its acquisition of 97.8 percent of VIVA Media AG. >> |
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2005
The newly spun-off Viacom Inc. (VIA, VIA.B) starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange, and the surviving company, which was formerly known as Viacom, changes its name upon the separation to CBS Corporation. | | <<Back |
2005
Logo is a network for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender audiences. It features lesbian- and gay-themed feature films, ongoing documentary series, newscasts tailored for the gay and lesbian community and original shows and specials. | | <<Back |
2005
The services include MTV Overdrive, VH1’s VSPOT, mtvU Uber, COMEDY CENTRAL’s Motherload, and Nickelodeon’s TurboNick. Each of these broadband services features streaming video, original content and more. | | <<Back |
2005
MTV base is a pan-African music TV channel serving 48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. | | <<Back |
2005
VIVA is Germany’s first-ever 24-hour dedicated and fully localized German language music station. | | <<Back |
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| | 2006 |
| MTVN acquires Harmonix, Quizilla, Atom Entertainment, Y2M, and Xfire.
| BET Interactive completes a cash buyout of its original investment group to own 100 percent of BET.com. >>
| MTVN acquires the remaining interest in its joint venture MTV Group Japan. >>
| Paramount Pictures launches its new specialty division, Paramount Vantage. >>
| Paramount Pictures acquires DreamWorks LLC. >> |
| | >> |
|
| 2005 |
| Viacom Inc. is formed following the separation of the former Viacom Inc. >>
| MTVN acquires GameTrailers, GoCityKids, IFILM and Neopets.
| MTVN launches Logo. >>
| MTVN launches its first broadband channels. >>
| MTVN marks its 100th channel milestone with the launch of MTV base in Africa. >>
| MTVN completes its acquisition of 97.8 percent of VIVA Media AG. >> |
| | << |
| | 2006 |
| MTVN acquires Harmonix, Quizilla, Atom Entertainment, Y2M, and Xfire.
| BET Interactive completes a cash buyout of its original investment group to own 100 percent of BET.com. >>
| MTVN acquires the remaining interest in its joint venture MTV Group Japan. >>
| Paramount Pictures launches its new specialty division, Paramount Vantage. >>
| Paramount Pictures acquires DreamWorks LLC. >> |
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2006
BET.com is the leading online media site for African-American content and targeted brand advertising. BET Interactive is BET’s Internet operating unit. | | <<Back |
2006
The acquisition is thus far MTVN’s largest in the Asia-Pacific region and enables MTVN to accelerate growth in Japan and facilitate cross-pollination of innovations across the region and worldwide. | | <<Back |
2006
The label releases approximately 10 films annually and focuses on a broad range of titles, from sophisticated films with a strong art-house sensibility, as well as smaller budgeted comedy and horror films. | | <<Back |
2006
Paramount’s acquisition of DreamWorks brings to the studio all of DreamWorks’ motion pictures in production, an ongoing production partnership with Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks’ television operations. | | <<Back |
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| | 2007 |
| mtvU agrees to acquire RateMyProfessors.com, the Internet’s largest listing of collegiate professor ratings. >>
| Paramount Pictures begins self-distribution in 15 key countries outside North America.
| Viacom announces joint venture with TV-18 in India >>
| Viacom completes sale of Famous Music >> |
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| 2006 |
| MTVN acquires Harmonix, Quizilla, Atom Entertainment, Y2M, and Xfire.
| BET Interactive completes a cash buyout of its original investment group to own 100 percent of BET.com. >>
| MTVN acquires the remaining interest in its joint venture MTV Group Japan. >>
| Paramount Pictures launches its new specialty division, Paramount Vantage. >>
| Paramount Pictures acquires DreamWorks LLC. >> |
| | << |
| | 2007 |
| mtvU agrees to acquire RateMyProfessors.com, the Internet’s largest listing of collegiate professor ratings. >>
| Paramount Pictures begins self-distribution in 15 key countries outside North America.
| Viacom announces joint venture with TV-18 in India >>
| Viacom completes sale of Famous Music >> |
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2007
The site reaches approximately 10 million total college students each year, who use the free service to plan their class schedule and rate professors on attributes such as helpfulness and clarity. | | <<Back |
2007
The 50/50 joint venture, Viacom-18, will be a new multiplatform entertainment company spanning TV, film and digital media content. | | <<Back |
2007
In late July, Viacom completed the sale of Famous Music to Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Founded in 1928, Famous Music is one of the largest music publishing businesses in the United States. | | <<Back |
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| | 2008 |
| Viacom and Paramount Pictures form EPIX, a joint venture with MGM and Lionsgate. >> |
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| 2007 |
| mtvU agrees to acquire RateMyProfessors.com, the Internet’s largest listing of collegiate professor ratings. >>
| Paramount Pictures begins self-distribution in 15 key countries outside North America.
| Viacom announces joint venture with TV-18 in India >>
| Viacom completes sale of Famous Music >> |
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| | 2008 |
| Viacom and Paramount Pictures form EPIX, a joint venture with MGM and Lionsgate. >> |
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2008
EPIX is a next-generation multiplatform premium entertainment channel, video-on-demand, and online service. | | <<Back |
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| | 2009 |
| Nickelodeon acquires the global intellectual property rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. >>
| Viacom 18 Media, a joint venture between Viacom and one of India’s leading entertainment conglomerates Network 18, brings its flagship channel COLORS to the United States as AAPKA COLORS. >>
| Nickelodeon rebrands educational preschool network Noggin as Nick Jr. and teen destination The N as TeenNick.
| BET Networks rebrands BET J as CENTRIC. >> |
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| 2008 |
| Viacom and Paramount Pictures form EPIX, a joint venture with MGM and Lionsgate. >> |
| | << |
| | 2009 |
| Nickelodeon acquires the global intellectual property rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. >>
| Viacom 18 Media, a joint venture between Viacom and one of India’s leading entertainment conglomerates Network 18, brings its flagship channel COLORS to the United States as AAPKA COLORS. >>
| Nickelodeon rebrands educational preschool network Noggin as Nick Jr. and teen destination The N as TeenNick.
| BET Networks rebrands BET J as CENTRIC. >> |
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2009
The hit television, film and video game property has delighted kids around the world for more than 25 years. | | <<Back |
2009
The network offers a unique blend of entertainment through scripted series, reality shows, game shows and blockbuster Bollywood films. | | <<Back |
2009
The 24-hour entertainment network features the artists, music, series, movies and reality programming that reflects the lifestyle and sophistication of today’s African-American and multi-cultural adult. | | <<Back |
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| | 2010 |
| Viacom announces a regular quarterly cash dividend to stockholders and recommences its stock purchase program.
| MTV Networks and Warner Music Group Form Partnership. >>
| Viacom Sells Harmonix Music Systems. >> |
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| 2009 |
| Nickelodeon acquires the global intellectual property rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. >>
| Viacom 18 Media, a joint venture between Viacom and one of India’s leading entertainment conglomerates Network 18, brings its flagship channel COLORS to the United States as AAPKA COLORS. >>
| Nickelodeon rebrands educational preschool network Noggin as Nick Jr. and teen destination The N as TeenNick.
| BET Networks rebrands BET J as CENTRIC. >> |
| | << |
| | 2010 |
| Viacom announces a regular quarterly cash dividend to stockholders and recommences its stock purchase program.
| MTV Networks and Warner Music Group Form Partnership. >>
| Viacom Sells Harmonix Music Systems. >> |
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2010
The multi-year partnership gives MTV Music Group the exclusive right to sell advertising inventory around Warner Music Group (WMG) premium music video content in the U.S. across its digital properties and mobile services, and on WMG’s network of proprietary artist and third party affiliate sites. | | <<Back |
2010
Viacom sold Harmonix Music Systems to Harmonix-SBE Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Columbus Nova, LLC. | | <<Back |
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| | 2011 |
| Viacom Forms Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). >> |
| | >> |
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| 2009 |
| Nickelodeon acquires the global intellectual property rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. >>
| Viacom 18 Media, a joint venture between Viacom and one of India’s leading entertainment conglomerates Network 18, brings its flagship channel COLORS to the United States as AAPKA COLORS. >>
| Nickelodeon rebrands educational preschool network Noggin as Nick Jr. and teen destination The N as TeenNick.
| BET Networks rebrands BET J as CENTRIC. >> |
| | << |
| | 2010 |
| Viacom announces a regular quarterly cash dividend to stockholders and recommences its stock purchase program.
| MTV Networks and Warner Music Group Form Partnership. >>
| Viacom Sells Harmonix Music Systems. >> |
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| | 2011 |
| Viacom Forms Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). >> |
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2011
VIMN brings MTV Networks International, BET International and Paramount television channels under the same umbrella, extending the global reach of Viacom’s international brands. | | <<Back |
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*All mentions of "Viacom Inc." in events occurring prior to December 31, 2005, refer to the former Viacom Inc. On December 31, 2005, the former Viacom Inc. was separated into two publicly traded entities, creating a new company called "Viacom Inc." The existing company changed its name upon the separation to "CBS Corporation."
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