| Paramount International Networks | |
| Type: | Division |
| Industry: | Broadcasting |
| Parent: | Paramount Global |
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, 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 and a stake (majority, then later minority) stake in Viacom18, an Indian joint venture with domestic partner TV18, from 2007 to 2024.
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.[2]
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.
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]
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.
See main article: Paramount Networks EMEAA.
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:
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]
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.
See also: TIS Productions. 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.
On 1 May 2014, Viacom acquired Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd, and its current channels are:
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.
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.[12] 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.
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.
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.
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.
VIVA UK & Ireland was launched on 26 October 2009, replacing TMF, and ceased broadcasting on 31 January 2018.