COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 512110

Video Production and Distribution

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

78companies1861–2001founding years68still active10no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedTribune Company
1861
FoundedGeneral Electric Company
1892
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedThe Walt Disney Company
1938
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedCJ Corporation
1953
FoundedChartHouse International Learning Corporation
1955
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedNew Line Cinema, Inc.
1967
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
FoundedGrupo Televisa, S.A.
1972
FoundedExpand SA
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedThe Sanctuary Group PLC
1976
FoundedESPN, Inc.
1978
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedUSA Interactive, Inc.
1982
FoundedA & E Television NetworksFoundedLifetime Entertainment Services
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedHarpo Inc.FoundedPixar Animation Studios
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedTiger Aspect Productions Ltd.
1988
FoundedHIT Entertainment PLC
1989
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedGrupo Clarín S.A.
1999
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Tribune Company →
Active · founded 1861
Tribune Company is one of the largest media companies in the United States.
Tribune Company →
Active · founded 1861
Tribune Company is one of the largest media companies in the United States.
National Geographic Society →
Active · founded 1888
Founded as a club of distinguished gentlemen devoted to promoting the study of geography, the National Geographic…
National Geographic Society →
Active · founded 1888
Founded as a club of distinguished gentlemen devoted to promoting the study of geography, the National Geographic…
General Electric Company →
Active · founded 1892
The history of General Electric Company is a significant part of the history of technology in the United States.
General Electric Company →
Active · founded 1892
The history of General Electric Company is a significant part of the history of technology in the United States.
The Walt Disney Company →
Active · founded 1938
A colossal force in the entertainment industry, The Walt Disney Company (Disney) is best known for bringing decades of…
The Walt Disney Company →
Active · founded 1938
A colossal force in the entertainment industry, The Walt Disney Company (Disney) is best known for bringing decades of…
The Walt Disney Company →
Active · founded 1938
A colossal force in the entertainment industry, The Walt Disney Company (Disney) is best known for bringing decades of…
The Walt Disney Company →
Active · founded 1938
A colossal force in the entertainment industry, The Walt Disney Company (Disney) is best known for bringing decades of…
PPB Group Berhad →
Active · founded 1948 · Malaysia
One of Malaysia's largest companies, and one of the largest conglomerates in the ASEAN market region, PPB Group Berhad…
PPB Group Berhad →
Active · founded 1948 · Malaysia
One of Malaysia's largest companies, and one of the largest conglomerates in the ASEAN market region, PPB Group Berhad…
CJ Corporation →
Active · founded 1953 · South Korea
South Korea's largest food manufacturer, CJ Corporation, is also one of the world's leading producers of such food…
CJ Corporation →
Active · founded 1953 · South Korea
South Korea's largest food manufacturer, CJ Corporation, is also one of the world's leading producers of such food…
Village Roadshow Ltd. →
Active · founded 1954 · Australia
Village Roadshow Ltd.
Village Roadshow Ltd. →
Active · founded 1954 · Australia
Village Roadshow Ltd.
ChartHouse International Learning Corporation →
Active · founded 1955
ChartHouse International Learning Corporation's series of Fish!
ChartHouse International Learning Corporation →
Active · founded 1955
ChartHouse International Learning Corporation's series of Fish!
Sanrio Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1960 · Japan
Japan's Sanrio Company, Ltd.
Sanrio Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1960 · Japan
Japan's Sanrio Company, Ltd.
New Line Cinema, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
New Line Cinema, Inc.
New Line Cinema, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
New Line Cinema, Inc.
Lucasfilm Ltd. →
Active · founded 1971
The 16th largest motion picture producer in the United States, ranked by revenues, Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd. →
Active · founded 1971
The 16th largest motion picture producer in the United States, ranked by revenues, Lucasfilm Ltd.
Viacom Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1971
One of the largest media companies in the world, Viacom Inc.
Viacom Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1971
One of the largest media companies in the world, Viacom Inc.
Grupo Televisa, S.A. →
Active · founded 1972 · Mexico
1920s:Emilio Azcarraga Vidauretta opens one of Mexico's first radio stations.
Grupo Televisa, S.A. →
Active · founded 1972 · Mexico
1920s:Emilio Azcarraga Vidauretta opens one of Mexico's first radio stations.
CanWest Global Communications Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1973 · Canada
CanWest Global Communications Corporation is Canada's largest private sector television broadcaster.
CanWest Global Communications Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1973 · Canada
CanWest Global Communications Corporation is Canada's largest private sector television broadcaster.
Expand SA →
Active · founded 1973 · France
Expand SA has carved a place for itself as France's leading television programming production company and has become…
Expand SA →
Active · founded 1973 · France
Expand SA has carved a place for itself as France's leading television programming production company and has become…
Vinton Studios →
Active · founded 1975
Vinton Studios is one of the largest producers of animated commercials in the world and one of the only producers of…
Vinton Studios →
Active · founded 1975
Vinton Studios is one of the largest producers of animated commercials in the world and one of the only producers of…
The Sanctuary Group PLC →
Active · founded 1976 · United Kingdom
1980s:Iron Maiden becomes the top U.K.
The Sanctuary Group PLC →
Active · founded 1976 · United Kingdom
1980s:Iron Maiden becomes the top U.K.
Rhino Entertainment Company →
Active · founded 1977
Rhino Entertainment Company produces novelty records, archival reissues, definitive musical anthologies, and various…
Rhino Entertainment Company →
Active · founded 1977
Rhino Entertainment Company produces novelty records, archival reissues, definitive musical anthologies, and various…
ESPN, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
ESPN, Inc.
ESPN, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
ESPN, Inc.
Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1981 · Canada
Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc.
Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1981 · Canada
Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc.
USA Interactive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1982
The history of USA Interactive, Inc., formerly USA Networks, Inc., involves some of the media's biggest names,…
USA Interactive, Inc. →
Active · founded 1982
The history of USA Interactive, Inc., formerly USA Networks, Inc., involves some of the media's biggest names,…
Carlton Communications PLC →
Defunct · founded 1983 · United Kingdom
Carlton Communications PLC has thrived for more than a decade in the cramped, highly regulated waters of the British…
Carlton Communications PLC →
Defunct · founded 1983 · United Kingdom
Carlton Communications PLC has thrived for more than a decade in the cramped, highly regulated waters of the British…
A & E Television Networks →
Active · founded 1984
A & E Television Networks began modestly in 1984 with one cable channel, The Arts & Entertainment Network, which…
A & E Television Networks →
Active · founded 1984
A & E Television Networks began modestly in 1984 with one cable channel, The Arts & Entertainment Network, which…
Artisan Entertainment Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1984
Artisan Entertainment Inc.
Artisan Entertainment Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1984
Artisan Entertainment Inc.
Film Roman, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Film Roman, Inc., is one of the largest independent animation studios in the United States.
Film Roman, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Film Roman, Inc., is one of the largest independent animation studios in the United States.
Lifetime Entertainment Services →
Active · founded 1984
Lifetime Entertainment Services is a joint venture owned by The Walt Disney Company and The Hearst Corporation.
Lifetime Entertainment Services →
Active · founded 1984
Lifetime Entertainment Services is a joint venture owned by The Walt Disney Company and The Hearst Corporation.
Ragdoll Productions Ltd. →
Active · founded 1984 · www.ragdoll.co.uk
Ragdoll Productions Ltd., is a United Kingdom-based children's media company, best known as the creators of the…
Ragdoll Productions Ltd. →
Active · founded 1984 · www.ragdoll.co.uk
Ragdoll Productions Ltd., is a United Kingdom-based children's media company, best known as the creators of the…
Harpo Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Based in Chicago, and with additional offices in Los Angeles, Harpo Inc.
Harpo Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Based in Chicago, and with additional offices in Los Angeles, Harpo Inc.
Métropole Télévision →
Active · founded 1986 · France
Métropole Télévision is one of France's leading television broadcasters and programming producers.
Métropole Télévision →
Active · founded 1986 · France
Métropole Télévision is one of France's leading television broadcasters and programming producers.
Pixar Animation Studios →
Active · founded 1986
Pixar Animation Studios burst onto the big screen with the release of Toy Story, the first ever feature-length animated…
Pixar Animation Studios →
Active · founded 1986
Pixar Animation Studios burst onto the big screen with the release of Toy Story, the first ever feature-length animated…
Gaiam, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Gaiam, Inc.
Gaiam, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Gaiam, Inc.
Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd. →
Active · founded 1988 · United Kingdom
Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd.
Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd. →
Active · founded 1988 · United Kingdom
Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd.
ABC Family Worldwide, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
1960s:Pat Robertson begins acquiring television properties, marking the beginning of the Christian Broadcasting Network…
ABC Family Worldwide, Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
1960s:Pat Robertson begins acquiring television properties, marking the beginning of the Christian Broadcasting Network…
HIT Entertainment PLC →
Active · founded 1989 · United Kingdom
Up and comer HIT Entertainment PLC (the HIT originally stood for Henson International Television) wants to be the…
HIT Entertainment PLC →
Active · founded 1989 · United Kingdom
Up and comer HIT Entertainment PLC (the HIT originally stood for Henson International Television) wants to be the…
Big Idea Productions, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Big Idea Productions, Inc.
Big Idea Productions, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Big Idea Productions, Inc.
Grupo Clarín S.A. →
Active · founded 1999 · Argentina
Grupo Clarín S.A., a privately owned Argentine holding company, is the leading media group in the Spanish-speaking…
Grupo Clarín S.A. →
Active · founded 1999 · Argentina
Grupo Clarín S.A., a privately owned Argentine holding company, is the leading media group in the Spanish-speaking…
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG →
Active · founded 2000 · Germany
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG is the largest television company in Germany.
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG →
Active · founded 2000 · Germany
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG is the largest television company in Germany.
AOL Time Warner Inc. →
Defunct · founded 2001
Global media powerhouse AOL Time Warner Inc.
AOL Time Warner Inc. →
Defunct · founded 2001
Global media powerhouse AOL Time Warner Inc.
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