Columbia TriStar Television

Columbia TriStar Television, Inc. (abbreviated as CTT) was an American television production and distribution company that was active from 1994 to 2002. It was operated as the third name of the early television studio Screen Gems and the fourth name of Pioneer Telefilms, both part of Sony Pictures Entertainment and the third company to use the Columbia and TriStar names together (the first being Columbia TriStar Home Video, later Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and the second, Columbia TriStar International Television, later rebranded as Sony Pictures Television International).

"Columbia TriStar Domestic Television", "Columbia TriStar Television Distribution", and "Columbia TriStar International Television" redirect here. For other uses, see Columbia TriStar.

Columbia TriStar Television, Inc.
TypeDivision
IndustryTelevision production
Broadcast syndication
PredecessorsScreen Gems (1947–1974)
Columbia Pictures Television (1974–2001)
TriStar Television (1986–1988, 1991–1999)
Merv Griffin Enterprises (1963-1994)
FoundedFebruary 21, 1994 (1994-02-21)
DefunctSeptember 16, 2002 (2002-09-16)
FateRebranded as Sony Pictures Television
SuccessorSony Pictures Television (2002–present)
Headquarters10202 West Washington Boulevard,
Culver City, California
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Samuel White (co-president)
ParentSony Pictures Entertainment
DivisionsAdelaide Productions
Columbia Pictures Television
TriStar Television
Trackdown Productions
Columbia TriStar International Television
SubsidiariesELP Communications
Califon Productions
Jeopardy Productions
Rastar Television

History

Beginnings

Columbia TriStar Television was launched on February 21, 1994, from the merger of Columbia Pictures Television and TriStar Television, under the leadership of Jon Feltheimer, who was president of TriStar Television from 1991 to 1994 and of New World Television until 1991. After the merger, Columbia Pictures Television Distribution was renamed Columbia TriStar Television Distribution,[1][2][3] but the old name continued to appear on-screen until 1995. The new studio entered production after dismantling and folding Merv Griffin Enterprises on June 4, 1994, by producing Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune (distributed by King World) starting in September 1994.[4][5] In 1994, SPE acquired Stewart Television.

Its global subsidiary, Columbia TriStar International Television, distributed Sony's programs globally. It was created in 1992 by merging Columbia Pictures International Television with TriStar Television. The launch of Columbia TriStar Television Group (aka Sony Television Entertainment) came five years later.

On January 30, 1997, it was changed from Sony Television Entertainment to Columbia TriStar Television Group.[6] On March 12, 1997, CTT signed a deal with Procter & Gamble Productions (P&G) to launch shows that P&G products sponsor, after the original agreement with Paramount Television expired.[7] On August 26, 1997, Addis-Wechsler inked a five-year joint venture agreement with the studio to produce all forms of its own television programming.[8]

On July 1, 2000, Barry Thurston stepped down as president of Columbia TriStar Television Distribution after 17 years and was succeeded by then-current president, Steve Mosko. Thurston was originally president of Embassy Telecommunications in 1983.[9]

On October 25, 2001, Columbia TriStar Network Television shut down. They learned that this path was blocked by Sony thanks to its Japanese ownership, resulting in the loss of 70 various jobs. On the same day, CTT and CTTD merged to form Columbia TriStar Domestic Television.[10]

End of Columbia TriStar Television

On September 16, 2002, Sony Pictures Entertainment retired the "Columbia TriStar" name from television and renamed the American studio as Sony Pictures Television and its international division as Sony Pictures Television International.[11]

See also

References
  1. TriStar President Expected to Head Combined Unit Los Angeles Times. February 11, 1994.
  2. Feltheimer heads new Columbia TriStar TV connection.ebscohost.com, Retrieved on December 18, 2012
  3. "Feltheimer heads new Columbia TriStar TV". Broadcasting. February 21, 1994. p. 20.
  4. Company Town Annex Los Angeles Times, Retrieved on July 1, 2013
  5. Sony-Griffin Deal New York Times, Retrieved on July 1, 2013
  6. Cox, Dan (January 30, 1997). "SONY STREAMLINING". Variety. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  7. Levin, Gary (March 12, 1997). "SONY, P&G LATHER UP". Variety. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  8. Hontz, Jenny (August 26, 1997). "Col TV, Addis-Wechsler pact". Variety. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  9. Schlosser, Joe (May 15, 2000). "Barry Thurston is a firm go". Broadcasting & Cable. NextTV. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  10. "The Free Library" Sony Pictures Entertainment Unveils Realignment of Columbia TriStar Domestic Television Operations. thefreelibrary.com, Retrieved on July 3, 2012
  11. Sony Pictures Entertainment Renames Television Operations; Domestic and International Divisions Take Sony Name, prnewswire.com

Columbia TriStar Domestic Television official website

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