Columbia TriStar Television
Encyclopedia
Columbia TriStar Television (CTT) was the third name of the television studio Screen Gems
, named after its then-current 1991 home video division.
Columbia TriStar Television was launched in 1994 as a joint venture between Columbia Pictures Television
and TriStar Television
. CTT produced 1994-Fall 2002 episodes of Merv Griffin Enterprises
's Jeopardy!
and the night version of Wheel of Fortune
, distributed by King World
, as well as shows from ELP Communications
, which included Beakman's World
on CBS
/TLC and Married... with Children
on FOX. Expanding its television library in 1994, SPE acquired Barry & Enright Productions
and Stewart Tele Enterprises
.
Its global subsidiary, Columbia TriStar International Television
, distributed Sony's programs across the globe. Its US distribution arm, Columbia TriStar Television Distribution, was also launched in 1995 to distribute Sony's programs all across America and to produce and distribute their own programs as well as movies on TV. This was also the launch of the Columbia TriStar Television Group.
In 1996, CTT launched their own animation division, Columbia TriStar Children's Television
. The name was changed in 1997 to Adelaide Productions
. In 2001 CTT and CTTD merged to form Columbia TriStar Domestic Television.
retired the name "Columbia TriStar" from television and renamed the American company to Sony Pictures Television
. However, Columbia TriStar Domestic Television kept its onscreen identity until 2003 with the debut of the new season of Hollywood Squares
the name was officially retired.
By 2009 Columbia had been the only major film studio to have its name gone from television when CBS Paramount Television was renamed CBS Television Studios.
Screen Gems
Screen Gems is an American movie production company and subsidiary company of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group that has served several different purposes for its parent companies over the decades since its incorporation....
, named after its then-current 1991 home video division.
Columbia TriStar Television was launched in 1994 as a joint venture between Columbia Pictures Television
Columbia Pictures Television
Columbia Pictures Television was the second name of the Columbia Pictures television division Screen Gems . The studio changed its name on September 4, 1974.-1974-1982:...
and TriStar Television
TriStar Television
TriStar Television was an American television production company that was launched in 1986 by TriStar Pictures . The same year, Tri-Star Television joined forces with Stephen J...
. CTT produced 1994-Fall 2002 episodes of Merv Griffin Enterprises
Merv Griffin Enterprises
Merv Griffin Enterprises was a television production company founded by Merv Griffin, in business from 1964 to 1994.-History:The company was first established as Merv Griffin Productions in 1964 and Griffin's first production was Jeopardy! In 1965, his talk show The Merv Griffin Show returned to...
's Jeopardy!
Jeopardy!
Griffin's first conception of the game used a board comprising ten categories with ten clues each, but after finding that this board could not be shown on camera easily, he reduced it to two rounds of thirty clues each, with five clues in each of six categories...
and the night version of Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)
Wheel of Fortune is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin, which premiered in 1975. Contestants compete to solve word puzzles, similar to those used in Hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a large wheel. The title refers to the show's giant carnival wheel that...
, distributed by King World
King World Productions
King World Productions, Inc. was a production company and a syndicator of television programming in the United States until its eventual 2007 incorporation into CBS Television Distribution...
, as well as shows from ELP Communications
Embassy Television
...
, which included Beakman's World
Beakman's World
Beakman's World is an educational children's television show produced by ELP Communications, Columbia Pictures Television, Universal Belo Productions, and Columbia TriStar Television Distribution....
on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
/TLC and Married... with Children
Married... with Children
Married... with Children is an American surrealistic sitcom that aired for 11 seasons that featured a dysfunctional family living in Chicago, Illinois. The show, notable for being the first prime time television series to air on Fox, ran from April 5, 1987, to June 9, 1997. The series was created...
on FOX. Expanding its television library in 1994, SPE acquired Barry & Enright Productions
Barry & Enright Productions
Barry & Enright Productions , was a United States television production company that was formed in 1947 by Jack Barry and Dan Enright.-History:Jack Barry and Dan Enright first met at radio station WOR in New York, where...
and Stewart Tele Enterprises
Stewart Tele Enterprises
Stewart Tele Enterprises was an American major game show production company formed by Bob Stewart in 1964 originally based in New York City.-History:...
.
Its global subsidiary, Columbia TriStar International Television
Columbia TriStar International Television
Columbia TriStar International Television was known as the worldwide television distribution arm of Columbia TriStar Television that was launched in 1995...
, distributed Sony's programs across the globe. Its US distribution arm, Columbia TriStar Television Distribution, was also launched in 1995 to distribute Sony's programs all across America and to produce and distribute their own programs as well as movies on TV. This was also the launch of the Columbia TriStar Television Group.
In 1996, CTT launched their own animation division, Columbia TriStar Children's Television
Adelaide Productions
Adelaide Productions is an animation division of Sony Pictures Television.Originally named Columbia TriStar Children's Television, Adelaide has produced numerous animated television series including:*Jumanji: The Series...
. The name was changed in 1997 to Adelaide Productions
Adelaide Productions
Adelaide Productions is an animation division of Sony Pictures Television.Originally named Columbia TriStar Children's Television, Adelaide has produced numerous animated television series including:*Jumanji: The Series...
. In 2001 CTT and CTTD merged to form Columbia TriStar Domestic Television.
The end of CTT
On September 16, 2002, Sony Pictures EntertainmentSony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production/distribution unit of Japanese multinational technology and media conglomerate Sony...
retired the name "Columbia TriStar" from television and renamed the American company to Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television, Inc. is an American and global television production/distribution subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. In turn, the latter is part of the Japanese conglomerate Sony.-Background:...
. However, Columbia TriStar Domestic Television kept its onscreen identity until 2003 with the debut of the new season of Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares is an American panel game show in which two contestants play tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The "board" for the game is a 3 × 3 vertical stack of open-faced cubes, each occupied by a celebrity seated at a desk and facing the contestants...
the name was officially retired.
By 2009 Columbia had been the only major film studio to have its name gone from television when CBS Paramount Television was renamed CBS Television Studios.