DreamWorks Television
DreamWorks Television was an American television distribution and production company based in Universal City, California, that was a division of DreamWorks. It folded into Amblin Television in 2013.[1]
For the television series, see DreamWorksTV. For the television animation division formerly owned by DreamWorks Television, see DreamWorks Animation Television.Company type
December 1994
September 6, 2013
Folded into Amblin Television
Studio:
Amblin Television
DreamWorks Animation Television
Library:
Paramount Television Studios
(pre-2008 library only)
DreamWorks International Television
DreamWorks Television Animation (1996–1999)
History[edit]
DreamWorks Television was formed in December 1994 as DreamWorks Pictures agreed to a $200 million seven-year television production joint venture with the Capital Cities/ABC.[2] The company was set up to produce series for broadcast networks, cable channels and first run syndication with no first look for the ABC Network, but financial incentives favored ABC.[3] The first show, Champs, was scheduled as a mid-season replacement for the ABC network. Dan McDermott was named division chief executive in June 1995.[4] DreamWorks Television's first success was Spin City on ABC.[3] The Walt Disney Company bought Capital Cities/ABC in February 1996.[5]
In 1997, DreamWorks Television had a falling-out with NBC over the development of various TV shows.[6] The dispute was eventually settled, and went to being a development slater for NBC in 1998.[7] In 1998, DreamWorks has struck a deal with Paramount Domestic Television to syndicate Spin City for off-net syndication.[8]
In 2002, the company's joint venture agreement with ABC ended. This agreement was replaced by a development agreement with NBC with a first look clause, financing for series pickups by the network while taking a financial stake in the show. DreamWorks Television could finance shows sold to other outlets, and NBC paid an annual fee to it.[3]