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Paramount Global Content Distribution is the international television distribution arm of American media conglomerate, Paramount Skydance Corporation, originally established in 1962 as the international distribution division of Desilu Productions. With the sale of Desilu to Gulf+Western, then-owners of film studio Paramount Pictures, in 1968, the division evolved into Paramount's first foray into the international television industry in the 1970s.

Key Information

The division handles the distribution of television content from the libraries of Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Television Studios, CBS Studios, CBS Media Ventures, Showtime Networks and Paramount+.

History

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Desilu International/Paramount Television International/Paramount International Television (1962–2006)

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The division as well as Paramount International Television was originally established in 1962 as the international distribution division of Desilu Productions, Desilu International, which was managed by Bruce Gordon.[1] The company co-produced The Lost Islands with the Ten Network (now Network 10) in 1975. Network 10 and this division have been in common ownership since 2019 after the ViacomCBS re-merger. In 1983, it acquired distribution rights to the Australian miniseries, Return to Eden.[2]

In 1967, Desilu was sold to Gulf+Western, the then-owners of the film studio Paramount Pictures, adding international television to its well-known film operations. Gulf+Western rebranded the division as Paramount Television International to handle international sales of Desilu/Paramount properties from Paramount Television. The following year, John Pearson, who had run Desilu/Paramount's international operations, was fired. He proceeded to form his own company, John Pearson International, whose purpose was continue distributing the sitcom Here's Lucy for the international market.[3]

In 1987, the company, along with MCA TV International, signed an agreement with China Central Television (CCTV), to offer a total of 100 drama hours. The deal, the largest license ever granted to Chinese television in that era, made the two Hollywood studios the largest suppliers of foreign production for that country.[4] In 1990, it briefly considered an investment in Australia's Nine Network.[5]

In 1986, Paramount Television International formed a partnership that would exploit the rights to the Madison Square Garden properties.[6] In 1995, Paramount International Television launched a joint venture to be headed by Peter Press.[7] In 1998, James Dowaliby was tapped to be vice president of production and Christopher Ottinger was named vice president of business development at the division.[8] Later that year, Paramount announced plans to enter international co-production.[9]

In 2000, the division was touted to develop and co-produce Jeremiah with Lions Gate Television, but was replaced by MGM Television.[10]

CBS Broadcast International (1981–2007)

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In 1981, CBS launched its international division, CBS Broadcast International, to sell news, sports and entertainment programming produced in-house to foreign markets as well as non-broadcast and new technology markets in the United States. It eventually merged into CBS Worldwide Enterprises and later incorporated into its marketing unit CBS Productions (unrelated to the later company of the same name) with CBS Theatrical Films in August 1984.[11] In the summer of 1985, CBS Productions, CBS News and Columbia House partnered to produce a videocassette The Vietnam War with Walter Cronkite.[12]

Later that year, CBS shut down its theatrical production unit[13] and CBS Broadcast International spun-out from the production unit, restoring the CBS Broadcast International moniker in the process.[14] It planned to provide the CBS Evening News bulletins to UK-based British Satellite Broadcasting in 1988.[15]

CBS Broadcast International produced syndicated episodes of the television series, The Twilight Zone in 1985. It then signed a partnership agreement with MGM/UA Telecommunications 2 years later to syndicate its episodes from all 2 seasons with 30 new first-run episodes to form a 90-episode syndication package.[16] On 28 October that same year, CBS Broadcast International announced its acquisition of television and ancillary market rights to four Academy Award/Oscar-winning films produced by Arthur Cohn such as Dangerous Moves, Black and White in Color, The Garden of the Finzi Continis and The Sky Above, The Mud Below. It also announced plans to pick up the bulletins of CBS Evening News with Dan Rather which would place it on a tape-delayed basis on international channel Tele Monte Carlo.[17]

CBS Broadcast International launched a global programming alliance with Virgin Media Television in 1997.[18] That following year, Stephanie Pacheco was named the managing director of international sales of the division.[19]

CBS Paramount International Television (2004–2009)

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CBS Broadcast International and Paramount International Television merged on August 11, 2004 to create CBS Paramount International Television and would be headed by Armando Nuarez Jr.[20] The division was transferred to CBS Corporation when CBS spun off from Viacom on January 1, 2006, with television rights to the films from its sister company, Paramount Pictures, obtained by Trifecta Entertainment and Media. With the December 4, 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom, the television rights to Paramount's films were brought back to the now-combined Paramount Global. The company distributes television content from the libraries of CBS Studios, the King World Productions and certain HBO shows internationally the Rysher Entertainment library, the latter owned domestically by 2929 Entertainment.

CBS Studios International (2009–2019)

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CBS Studios International logo (2009-2020)

In May 2009, CPITV was renamed CBS Studios International. On 14 September that year, CBS Studios International struck a joint venture deal with Chellomedia to launch six CBS-branded channels in the UK which would replace Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller, Zone Horror and Zone Reality, plus timeshift services Zone Horror +1 and Zone Reality +1.[21][22] The replacement channels launched on 16 November that year.[23] On 5 April 2010, Zone Horror and Zone Horror +1 were rebranded as Horror Channel and Horror Channel +1 respectively.[24]

CBS Studios International licensed rights for the top international formats. In 2010, CBS Studios International went into an equal joint venture with Reliance Broadcast Network Limited to form Big CBS Networks Pvt. Ltd. At the time, the network operated 3 main channels; Big CBS Prime, a general entertainment channel, Big CBS Spark, a youth-oriented channel and Big CBS Love, a women's and urban couple-oriented channel.

In January 2011, CBS Studios International partnered with Australian company, Ten Network Holdings, to launch digital free-to-air channel known as Eleven and would hold a 33% stake in its joint-venture holding company, ElevenCo.[25] Ten Network Holdings entered voluntary administration in June 2017 which ultimately led to CBS acquiring the entirety of the company that November.[26]

On 1 August 2012, Chellomedia revealed that the European versions of Zone Romantica, Zone Reality and Club would be rebranded respectively as CBS Drama, CBS Reality and CBS Action.[27]

ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group/Paramount Global Content Distribution (2019–present)

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ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group logo (2020–2022)

Following the December 4, 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom to create ViacomCBS, CBS Studios International and Paramount Worldwide Television Licensing & Distribution merged and rebranded to ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group. On February 16, 2022, ViacomCBS rebranded as Paramount Global, rebranding the division likewise to its current name and restoring the "Paramount" name in television for the first time in 16 years. ViacomCBS International Studios was folded into the company later in 2022.

Past activities

[edit]

As CBS Paramount International Television, the division distributed films/movies from the libraries of Paramount Pictures and the Republic Pictures between 2006 and 2009, as well as DreamWorks Pictures from 2006 to 2008.

As CBS Studios International, the division had 50% ownership of former Australian pay-TV channels, TV1 and SF Channel.[28] In 2013, RTL Group and CBS Studios International announced a joint venture called RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network for Southeast Asia with the launch of RTL CBS Entertainment in September that year, but would be acquired 5 years later in January by Blue Ant Media.

The division previously owned all CBS-branded European TV channels (until rebranded in 2025) in a joint venture with AMC Networks International and an Australian television company, Ten Network Holdings. Both have since been transferred to the primary international networks division of Paramount Global.

See also

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References

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[edit]
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Paramount Global Content Distribution

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Paramount Global Content Distribution (PGCD) is the international television syndication and distribution division of Paramount Skydance Corporation, serving as a leading global licensor of premium scripted and unscripted series, films, and production formats across linear networks, streaming services, pay TV, free-to-air broadcasters, and digital platforms.[1][2] Formed in 2004 by Viacom as CBS Paramount International Television, combining the international operations of CBS Broadcast International and Paramount International Television, the unit has undergone several rebrandings, including to ViacomCBS Global Distribution in 2020 and its current name in 2022 to reflect Paramount Global's branding.[3] Following the $8.4 billion merger of Paramount Global with Skydance Media, completed on August 7, 2025, PGCD operates under the new Paramount Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), enhancing its position in the evolving media landscape.[4] PGCD manages one of the industry's largest distributed libraries, encompassing thousands of hours of content from key Paramount brands such as CBS Studios, Paramount Television Studios, SHOWTIME, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures, along with partnerships including Miramax and MRC.[1] Iconic franchises in its portfolio include CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, Star Trek, Yellowstone, Top Gun, and Transformers, which are licensed to reach billions of viewers in nearly every country worldwide, supporting over 700 million subscribers across more than 160 markets.[1][5] The division also facilitates local adaptations of unscripted formats and original international productions, driving revenue through multi-platform deals and contributing to Paramount's strategy of global content monetization.[1]

Overview

Establishment and Mission

Paramount Global Content Distribution was established in 1962 as Desilu International, the international distribution arm of Desilu Productions, initially focused on exporting television programming to foreign markets. Over the decades, it evolved through corporate mergers and restructurings into a dedicated global entity for content licensing and sales.[6][7] The division's core mission is to license premium content from Paramount Media Networks, CBS Studios, Paramount Television Studios, and affiliated libraries to international broadcasters, streaming platforms, and other media outlets, maximizing global reach and revenue for Paramount Global's intellectual properties. It emphasizes strategic distribution across linear television, digital streaming, and ancillary rights such as merchandising, prioritizing high-quality scripted series, unscripted formats, and children's programming to meet diverse international demands.[2] Paramount Global Content Distribution oversees a extensive library of more than 70,000 hours of programming, including thousands of feature films, enabling deals in over 200 territories worldwide. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the division operates as a key component of Paramount Global following its 2025 merger with Skydance Media, continuing to drive international expansion without disrupting its foundational licensing model.[8][9][10][11]

Organizational Structure and Leadership

Paramount Global Content Distribution functions as a key division within Paramount Global's broader content licensing and distribution operations, reporting to the company's senior leadership structure following the completion of the Skydance Media merger on August 7, 2025.[12] The division aligns with Paramount's content ecosystem under the oversight of Chairman and CEO David Ellison and President Jeff Shell, with strategic direction influenced by Chief Content Officer Dana Goldberg, who co-chairs content initiatives alongside Josh Greenstein.[13] This positioning ensures that distribution efforts support the company's mission of global content monetization through licensing and partnerships.[2] At the divisional level, leadership is headed by Kevin MacLellan, appointed President of International and Global Content Distribution in August 2025, who oversees worldwide sales, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships from his base in Los Angeles.[14] MacLellan, a former NBCUniversal executive with over 25 years in media distribution, manages regional teams across key markets including EMEA, APAC, and Latin America, focusing on tailored content strategies for international broadcasters and platforms.[15] In November 2025, Don McGregor was appointed to lead global TV sales, reporting under MacLellan, further consolidating distribution efforts.[16] Until her departure in late October 2025 as part of post-merger restructuring, Lisa Kramer served as President of International Content Licensing, a role she assumed in June 2024 and which involved directing licensing and marketing from 20 global offices.[17] Her exit, alongside other executives like Teri Fleming (EVP and Head of Marketing), reflects efforts to consolidate operations while preserving essential functions.[18] The merger with Skydance prompted a streamlined organizational structure, including layoffs impacting over 2,500 employees company-wide, with an initial ~1,000 in October 2025 and additional ~1,600 in November 2025, with specific effects on distribution teams through role consolidations and departures.[19][20][21] Despite these changes, core international units were retained to maintain robust global outreach, emphasizing efficiency in content delivery.[22] Internally, the division is organized into specialized departments handling international sales, digital licensing, format adaptations for local markets, and rights management, enabling coordinated efforts to license Paramount's extensive library of television and film content across platforms.[23]

History

Early Development: Desilu to Paramount International (1962–2006)

Desilu Productions launched its international syndication efforts in the early 1960s through Desilu International Ltd., a subsidiary formed to distribute U.S. television shows abroad and facilitate co-productions in foreign markets. Announced by company president Desi Arnaz in July 1960, the division aimed to expand Desilu's presence in Europe by increasing export quotas and partnering on local productions, marking an initial step toward global content distribution for hits like I Love Lucy. This move capitalized on the growing demand for American programming overseas, leveraging Desilu's pioneering role in filmed television series.[7] In 1967, Gulf+Western Industries acquired Desilu Productions, integrating it with Paramount Pictures and rebranding the international arm as Paramount Television International in 1968. Under this new structure, the division expanded its portfolio to include Paramount's television series, notably handling the international syndication of Star Trek: The Original Series, which aired in multiple countries starting in the late 1960s. The rebranding aligned with Paramount's broader strategy to exploit its growing library of content globally, building on Desilu's foundation to negotiate deals across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. From 1995 to 2006, the entity operated as Paramount International Television, emphasizing growth through co-productions and format sales while continuing traditional syndication. Key early deals included the international distribution of classic titles such as I Love Lucy and Mission: Impossible to broadcasters in Europe and Asia, generating steady revenue from licensing rights. The division navigated significant challenges in emerging markets, including reliance on analog distribution technologies and regulatory hurdles for content import, yet achieved syndication agreements in over 50 countries by 2000, underscoring its expanding global footprint.[24][6]

CBS Integration and Formations (1981–2009)

In 1981, CBS launched CBS Broadcast International as its dedicated worldwide syndication unit to distribute news, sports, and entertainment programming on a global scale. This division focused on expanding CBS's primetime shows and news content beyond the United States, marking the network's initial foray into structured international sales.[25] The formation of CBS Paramount International Television in 2004 represented a significant consolidation following Viacom's merger with CBS in 2000, combining the international operations of CBS Broadcast International and Paramount International Television into a single entity. This new unit managed a vast combined library exceeding 60,000 hours of programming, including CBS primetime series such as Survivor and Everybody Loves Raymond, Paramount syndicated hits like Star Trek and Frasier, and feature films from Paramount Pictures. Among its early international efforts, the division facilitated the global syndication of high-profile franchises, with the CSI series emerging as a key asset in subsequent years through expanded rights management.[26][27] From 2006 to 2009, CBS Paramount International Television operated as the primary global distributor for the merged entity's content, handling international television rights and film libraries inherited from Paramount Pictures, including the Republic Pictures catalog acquired through earlier Viacom holdings. Notable distributions during this period included Australian series such as The Lost Islands (a 1976 adventure co-produced with Paramount) and the 1983 miniseries Return to Eden, which saw worldwide syndication under the joint banner. A pivotal event occurred in 2006 with the split of Viacom into separate entities, yet the international television unit was retained intact under CBS Corporation as CBS Paramount International Television to maintain unified global operations. This structure allowed continued synergies in content distribution without disrupting ongoing international deals.[26][28][29][30]

Rebranding and Consolidation (2009–2019)

In 2009, following the expiration of the licensing rights to the Paramount name granted during the 2004 Viacom-CBS merger, CBS Paramount International Television was reorganized and renamed CBS Studios International as part of a broader restructuring of CBS's television production and distribution operations. This shift emphasized the international syndication and sales of CBS's growing library of scripted programming, with the procedural drama NCIS emerging as a cornerstone export. Launched in 2003, NCIS quickly gained traction overseas, where early international sales signaled its potential; by 2013, it had become Europe's most valuable imported TV drama, generating $205 million in licensing revenue for networks across the region.[30][31][32] Throughout the 2010s, CBS Studios International pursued expansions in digital distribution to capitalize on the burgeoning streaming market, securing multi-year licensing agreements with platforms like Netflix. A pivotal 2011 deal allowed Netflix to stream episodes from CBS's library, including shows like Numb3rs and The Good Wife, initially in the U.S. and later extended to Canada, Latin America, and the U.K. in 2012, covering additional titles such as Hawaii Five-0. Complementing these efforts, the division amplified format sales, with the reality competition Survivor—a CBS staple since 2000—adapted in over 40 countries worldwide, fostering localized versions that boosted global revenue streams. These initiatives underscored a strategic pivot toward multi-platform licensing amid the decline of traditional linear TV exports.[33][34][35][36] As merger discussions with Viacom intensified from 2017 to 2019, CBS Studios International undertook internal reviews and due diligence of its content libraries to evaluate assets for potential integration, including classics like the 1985 revival of The Twilight Zone, which CBS continued to license internationally as part of its anthology portfolio. These preparations highlighted the division's mature holdings, with ongoing distribution of legacy series supporting steady international syndication. However, the period presented challenges in adapting to the rapid ascent of streaming, as linear deals waned and competition from ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services intensified. Despite this, revenues grew robustly through targeted licensing; content licensing and distribution revenues surged 33% in the fourth quarter of 2017, while domestic subscription revenues from Showtime OTT and CBS All Access surged 62% year-over-year to $513 million in 2018, driven by deals with OTT platforms. Streaming-specific income from services like CBS All Access and Showtime OTT reached $381 million in 2017, with projections exceeding $1 billion by 2020.[37][38][39][40]

ViacomCBS Merger and Paramount Era (2019–present)

The merger between CBS Corporation and Viacom, announced on August 13, 2019, and completed on December 4, 2019, created ViacomCBS Inc. and led to the formation of the ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group, which unified the sales and distribution operations for content from MTV, Nickelodeon, CBS, and other legacy brands under a single entity. This integration allowed for streamlined global licensing and syndication, combining Viacom's entertainment-focused libraries with CBS's news and sports assets to enhance market reach and revenue potential post-merger.[41][42] In February 2022, amid the company's broader rebranding from ViacomCBS to Paramount Global effective February 16, the distribution arm was renamed Paramount Global Content Distribution, reflecting a strategic emphasis on the Paramount brand across linear, streaming, and international platforms. This shift expanded the division's role in licensing content for Paramount+, including international deals that bundled streaming rights with traditional television outputs.[43] By 2024 and into 2025, the division navigated significant corporate changes, including the merger with Skydance Media, which closed earlier in the year and prompted a wave of layoffs beginning in October 2025, affecting approximately 1,000 employees in the initial round as part of cost-cutting measures to streamline operations. This was followed by an additional announcement on November 10, 2025, of approximately 1,600 more layoffs as part of ongoing cost-cutting measures to streamline operations under the new structure.[44][45] Concurrently, the joint venture with AMC Networks International for channels in Europe had phased out CBS branding starting in 2022. These developments built on the post-2019 unification by further consolidating assets under the Paramount umbrella. The post-merger era has seen substantial growth in the division's content library, surpassing 100,000 hours of programming by integrating Viacom and CBS archives with new productions, enabling hybrid distribution models that combine linear television and streaming in regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America. For instance, deals in these markets have emphasized bundled access to Paramount+ content alongside local broadcast partners, driving expanded subscriber reach and revenue diversification.[46][47][48]

Operations

Content Libraries and Rights Management

Paramount Global Content Distribution manages an extensive portfolio of content libraries drawn from its parent company's key production arms and networks. The division oversees assets from Paramount Television Studios, including the Yellowstone franchise, which features interconnected series such as Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923, focusing on themes of family legacy and frontier life.[1] From CBS Studios, it handles iconic science fiction properties like the Star Trek series, encompassing over a dozen television iterations spanning more than 50 years, from the original 1960s series to modern entries like Star Trek: Discovery.[1] Additionally, content from Paramount Media Networks includes youth-oriented programming from MTV Entertainment Studios and Nickelodeon, such as animated series and reality formats targeted at global audiences. Legacy holdings incorporate classic films from Desilu Productions—acquired by Paramount in 1967—and Republic Pictures, revived in 2023, featuring Westerns and B-movies starring figures like John Wayne.[1][49] Rights management at Paramount Global Content Distribution involves the acquisition, renewal, and protection of intellectual property for a backlog exceeding 50 years of programming and films, enabling exclusive international licensing agreements. The division engages in lobbying for stronger anti-piracy protections, such as support for the Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act.[50] The division's historical library expansion, bolstered by mergers such as the 1967 Desilu acquisition, has amplified this backlog, providing a foundation for long-term rights stewardship.[51] Ancillary rights form a critical component of the division's strategy, encompassing merchandising tie-ins for popular formats like Big Brother, which generates revenue through official apparel, accessories, and fan merchandise via dedicated e-commerce platforms. Furthermore, Paramount Global Content Distribution secures co-production equity stakes in global adaptations, participating in international collaborations to adapt scripted and unscripted series for local markets while retaining ownership interests.[52][1] In 2025, following the merger with Skydance Media that formed Paramount Skydance Corporation, the division expanded its film rights portfolio through a September agreement with Legendary Entertainment, granting three-year global distribution rights (excluding China) to upcoming Legendary-produced theatrical features, thereby enhancing its cinematic library holdings.[53]

Global Distribution Channels and Strategies

Paramount Global Content Distribution employs a multifaceted approach to international content delivery, leveraging linear television syndication, streaming partnerships, and video-on-demand (VOD) and advertising-based video-on-demand (AVOD) platforms to reach global audiences. Linear TV syndication remains a core channel, particularly through free-to-air and pay-TV deals in Europe, where content is licensed to broadcasters for scheduled programming.[54] Streaming partnerships form another pillar, with Paramount+ expanding to over 20 countries by 2025, including launches in the UK, Ireland, South Korea, and Turkey, often via branded destinations on local services.[55] Additionally, VOD and AVOD distribution occurs through alliances like the 2024 licensing agreement with South Korea's Coupang Play, which introduced a Paramount+ branded area featuring on-demand access to premium titles.[56] The company's strategies emphasize territorial licensing tailored to regional preferences, such as providing dubbed and subtitled versions for Latin American markets to enhance accessibility and cultural relevance. Format sales enable local productions by licensing intellectual property for adaptation into region-specific versions, fostering co-productions that align with audience tastes. Pricing models are data-driven, utilizing market analytics to optimize deals based on viewer demographics, competition, and consumption trends across territories. These approaches are supported by the company's vast content libraries, which provide a foundation for flexible licensing and adaptation.[2] Regionally, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) represent a major revenue driver as of 2022, with significant contributions from partnerships like those with Sky in the UK and Canal+ in France, which bolster linear and streaming distribution. In the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, growth has accelerated through initiatives such as the 2024 Korea pact with Coupang Play, expanding access to high-demand markets. Latin America (LATAM) focuses on co-productions, particularly in telenovelas, to capitalize on the region's preference for serialized dramas through localized collaborations.[57] In October 2025, Paramount Skydance initiated layoffs that impacted executives in the international TV distribution side of the business.[18] At Mipcom 2025 in October, the division unveiled new original productions set to premiere on CBS and reach global audiences.[58] Following the 2025 merger with Skydance Media, Paramount Global Content Distribution has shifted toward bundled streaming-linear packages, integrating direct-to-consumer services with traditional broadcast deals to streamline revenue streams and enhance subscriber retention. This evolution includes a heightened emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) for content localization, enabling faster dubbing, subtitling, and cultural adaptations to accelerate global rollouts and reduce costs. The company plans incremental programming investments exceeding $1.5 billion in 2026 to grow its streaming business.[59][11][60]

Notable Distributions

Key Television and Format Deals

Paramount Global Content Distribution has facilitated several landmark television deals since its early operations, focusing on syndication and format licensing for both scripted and unscripted content. In 1985, CBS Broadcast International, a precursor to the current distribution arm, syndicated episodes of the revived The Twilight Zone series internationally, marking an early expansion of anthology programming beyond U.S. borders. During the 2010s, the company licensed the Survivor format, originating from CBS, to over 40 territories worldwide, enabling local adaptations that capitalized on the reality competition's global appeal and driving significant international production partnerships.[61] In recent years, Paramount Global Content Distribution has continued to secure high-profile licensing agreements for primetime television series. In December 2024, the company announced a multi-year deal with South Korean streaming service Coupang Play to launch a branded Paramount+ destination, featuring CBS Studios content such as Fire Country, NCIS, and the CSI franchise, alongside other premium series from MTV Entertainment Studios and Showtime.[56] This agreement, set to debut in early 2025, underscores the distributor's strategy to aggregate channels of U.S. primetime hits for Asian markets. At MIPCOM 2025, Paramount unveiled new scripted series for international sales, including Boston Blue—a Blue Bloods spinoff starring Donnie Wahlberg as NYPD Detective Danny Reagan transitioning to the Boston Police Department—and Sheriff Country, an expansion of the Fire Country universe led by Morena Baccarin.[58] These unveilings highlight ongoing efforts to package CBS dramas for global broadcasters and streamers.[62] Format licensing remains a cornerstone of Paramount's television distribution, particularly for unscripted and family-oriented content with broad adaptability. The Big Brother format, produced by CBS, has been licensed internationally, fostering localized versions that emphasize social experiment reality TV and generating substantial revenue through adaptation fees and ongoing production rights.[63] Similarly, Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol, distributed by Paramount, reaches over 160 countries and territories in more than 30 languages, exemplifying the enduring success of preschool animated formats in global kids' markets.[64] Post-2020, the company has intensified its focus on unscripted formats, launching initiatives to develop innovative reality concepts like Am I the A**hole? and Beyond the Edge, which align with rising demand for cost-effective, adaptable programming amid streaming growth.[65] These efforts contribute significantly to revenue, with TV media—bolstered by format deals—accounting for approximately 65% of Paramount Global's overall income in 2024.[66]

Film and Ancillary Media Agreements

In a major contemporary development, Paramount Global Content Distribution facilitated a strategic three-year global distribution pact between Paramount Pictures and Legendary Entertainment, announced in September 2025, covering worldwide theatrical and home video rights for Legendary-produced films, excluding China where Legendary East manages distribution.[53] Under this agreement, Paramount will market and distribute titles such as the October 2026 release of Street Fighter, an adaptation of the video game franchise, highlighting the division's role in expanding high-profile film slates internationally to enhance content pipelines.[67] The deal underscores a shift toward collaborative partnerships that bolster Paramount's filmed entertainment portfolio with blockbuster potential.[68] In 2023, partnerships were announced for Star Trek merchandising, such as collaborations with manufacturers for collectibles and figures, amplifying franchise extensions in key regions including Asia through licensed products like apparel and accessories.[69] These efforts prioritize evergreen classics from Paramount's vast library, which contribute substantially to international income by licensing enduring content for non-theatrical platforms.[70] Key agreements in recent years encompass 2022 expansions of Paramount+ film bundles in the Nordics and Latin America, integrating select movie libraries into streaming packages as part of the service's global rollout to over 20 million subscribers in those regions by integrating theatrical and home video content.[55] Additionally, distribution of holiday specials, including 2024 documentaries and music events like Christmas with Andrea Bocelli and Friends: A GRAMMY Holiday Special, has targeted seasonal ancillary markets, licensing these titles for international broadcast and streaming to capitalize on festive viewership.[71] Films and ancillaries, including home video and merchandising, represent a core component of the division's strategy, generating approximately 10% of Paramount Global's overall revenues through international licensing of feature films and related media as of 2024.[72]

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