Paramount International Networks

Viacom International Inc.[1] (doing business as Paramount International Networks (PIN))[2] 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,[3] 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[4] and a stake (majority, then later minority) in Viacom18, an Indian joint venture with domestic partner TV18, from 2007 to 2024.

Viacom International Inc.
Formerly
  • MTV Networks International (1987–2011)
  • Viacom International Media Networks (2011–2019)
  • ViacomCBS Networks International (2019–2022)
Company typeDivision
IndustryBroadcasting
Founded1987; 37 years ago (1987)
Headquarters
Key people
  • Pam Kaufman (president and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences)
ParentViacom (1987–2005; 2005–2019)
Paramount Global (2019–present)
Divisions

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.[5]

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

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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).[3]

United Kingdom and Australia

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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

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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:

  • Paramount Networks Northern Europe, which serves Benelux (the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg), Nordic/Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden), Ireland, DAPOL (Germany, Austria, Poland), German-speaking Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, North Macedonia, Romania, Ukraine and CIS countries.
  • Paramount Networks Southern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (SWEMEA), which serves France, French-speaking Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Middle East and Africa.
    • Paramount Networks Italia, a division that was founded in 2011 in order for Viacom to purchase a 30% ownership stake in the Rainbow S.p.A. animation studio.[4]

India

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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 a stake in the company from 2007 until 2024.[6]

The Americas

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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, Chile 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

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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.[7] 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.[8] On 2 September 2020, it returned to production with Mexico's backdoor structure[9] On 7 October 2020, ViacomCBS International Studios revealed a streamlining its sales structure.[10] On 30 November 2021, the studio launched a first-look deal program with 5 British writers to amplify diverse voices.[11]

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.[12] It is led by Maria Kyriacou, president of broadcast and studios, international markets.

Current channels

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Former channels

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  • Middle East and North Africa
  • VH1

Channel 5 (United Kingdom)

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On 1 May 2014, Viacom acquired free-to-air channels from Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd, in turn becoming part of ViacomCBS Networks International, (later Paramount International Networks following the 2019 Viacom-CBS merger).

Current channels

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Former channels

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Network 10 (Australia)

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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.

Current channels

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Former channels

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  • Estonia
  • Nickelodeon (Estonian TV programming block)

[citation needed]

Current channels

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

Former channels

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Current channels

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  • Latin America
  • TeenNick Latin America

Former channels

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  • Greece
  • TeenNick Greece
  • Latin America
  • Nicktoons Latin America

Current channels

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  • Brazil
  • Paramount Network Brazil

Former Channels

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Current channels

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  • Asia
  • Smithsonian Channel (Asia)[ah]
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Smithsonian Channel Africa

Former channels

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  • Latin America
  • Smithsonian Channel Latin America

Other networks

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Chilevisión

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Game One

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  • Game One is a French television channel that launched in September 1998. It shows programs based on video gaming, pop culture and Japanese anime.

J-One

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  • J-One is a French television channel launched on 4 October 2013. It is dedicated to Asian anime and culture.

Super!

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  • Super! is an Italian free channel that airs children's programming, which is mostly taken from Nickelodeon.

Telefe

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CBS International (co-owned with AMC Networks International)

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United Kingdom

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Europe and Africa

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VIVA

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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.[14] 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

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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

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VIVA Germany

German-speaking Switzerland

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VIVA Switzerland

Poland

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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

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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

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

Notes

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  1. ^ Amsterdam only; replaced with Nickelodeon
  2. ^ replaced with MTV Flux in summer 2006
  3. ^ Owned by Bell Media, under license from Paramount
  4. ^ a b c Channels owned by Viacom18, under license from Paramount Global Cite error: The named reference "NickIndia" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ Replaced on DTT by VH1 Italy in March 2016. Available only on Sky Italia.
  6. ^ Co-owned by Sanlih E-Television
  7. ^ Serving Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia
  8. ^ closed in September 2016
  9. ^ a b c replaced by both MTV Hits France & BET France on 17 November 2015
  10. ^ replaced with Nickelodeon in 2005
  11. ^ Joint venture with Karsa Group
  12. ^ Closed in 2009 and the channel has been replaced in 2011
  13. ^ except TMF Vlaanderen; all others replaced with VIVA in 2009
  14. ^ Closed on 1 February 2021
  15. ^ Joint venture with Viva Entertainment
  16. ^ Joint venture with Solar Entertainment Corporation
  17. ^ a b Co-owned by All Youth Channels, a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corporation's Creative Programs
  18. ^ a b Joint venture with SBS
  19. ^ Co-owned by MCOT
  20. ^ Joint venture with IMC Group
  21. ^ a b Channels owned by Corus Entertainment, under license from Paramount Global
  22. ^ Nickelodeon TV block, closed in October 2007
  23. ^ Now defunct, replaced by the Australian version[13]
  24. ^ 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
  25. ^ Closed in September 2017
  26. ^ Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
  27. ^ a b c Co-owned by Sky Group
  28. ^ French programming block on Canal J
  29. ^ British spinoff of Nicktoons U.K., closed 31 July 2009. Replaced by Nicktoons Replay (1-hour delayed timeshift feed of main Nicktoons channel)
  30. ^ Formerly Viacom Bink!
  31. ^ Owned by Bell Media, now as CTV Comedy Channel; programming shared with Much (TV channel)
  32. ^ Formerly RTL Spike (Licensed by RTL Group)
  33. ^ Part of the Channel 5 network, 2015–2020. Now 5Action
  34. ^ Joint with Rock Entertainment Holdings

References

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  1. ^ US Copyright Office Registration No. PAu004232057 / 2024-07-17
  2. ^ "Leadership of Paramount". Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022. Gillmer oversees [...] for the MTV Entertainment Group (MTVE) and Paramount International Networks & Streaming.
  3. ^ a b "ViacomCBS Reshuffles International Leadership Team Under David Lynn". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Straffi's Rainbow: Europe's Largest Animation House Has Growing Pains" (PDF). VideoAge International. October 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2017.
  5. ^ Hughes, Owen (1 March 1999). "Battle of the Bands". Multichannel News International. Cahners. p. 5. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  6. ^ "About Us". Viacom18. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (20 January 2016). "Nickelodeon Sets First Global Series 'I Am Frankie'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  8. ^ de la Fuente, Anna Marie (24 June 2020). "ViacomCBS Int'l Studios, Miramax to Co-Produce 'The Turkish Detective'". Variety. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  9. ^ Hopewell, John (2 September 2020). "ViacomCBS Intl. Studios Returns to Production with Mexico's 'Backdoor' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  10. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (7 October 2020). "ViacomCBS Reveals Streamlined Sales Structure Led by Lauren Marriott, Laura Burrell". Variety. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  11. ^ Szalai, Georg (30 November 2021). "ViacomCBS Launches First-Look Deal Program With 5 U.K. Writers to "Amplify Diverse Voices"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  12. ^ Szalai, Georg (18 May 2023). "Paramount Global Rebrands Its International Studios Business With New Focus (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  13. ^ "MTV NZ to axe 23 staff, closes offices". The New Zealand Herald. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Der V-Faktor" (in German). Süddeutsche Zeitung. 10 January 2005.