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Paramount Global has owned and operated several animation studios since its founding on March 16, 1952 as the original Viacom, throughout the first and second incarnation and CBS Corporation (previously Westinghouse Electric Corporation). The two companies merged into one on December 4, 2019.[1]
Currently, MTV Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, Paramount Animation (though Paramount Pictures), and CBS Eye Animation Productions operate their flagship brands.
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| Studio | Established | Parent unit |
|---|---|---|
1990 |
||
| Animation: Television series, specials, and TV films
Animation division producing original series and films for Nickelodeon brands such as Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. Former names: Games Productions Inc. (1990–1998) Units: Nickelodeon Digital Subunits: Paws, Inc., Avatar Studios | ||
1993 |
||
| Animation: Television series and feature films
Animation division of MTV producing animated series and films for MTV brands. | ||
2011 |
||
| Animation: Theatrical feature films and TV series
Animation division of Paramount. | ||
2018 |
||
| Animation: Television series and TV films
The animation production company of CBS Studios. Units: Late Night Cartoons, Inc. | ||
Miramax Animation (49% stake) |
2019 |
|
| Animation: Theatrical feature films and TV series
Animation division of Miramax. | ||
| Studio | Established | Defunct |
|---|---|---|
1921 |
1942 | |
| Animation: Hand-drawn short films and theatrical feature films
Founded in 1921 as an independent studio by brothers Max and Dave Fleischer, it became the principal supplier of animation as Paramount Pictures distributed its films. However, Paramount acquired Fleischer Studios and reorganized it as Famous Studios. Acquired by Paramount Pictures in 1942 and reorganized as Famous Studios (later Paramount Cartoon Studios). Former names: Inkwell Studios, Inc. (1921–1929) | ||
1929 |
1972 | |
| Animation: Theatrical short films and TV series
Founded in 1929 as an independent studio by Paul Terry, Frank Moser, and Joseph Coffman, 20th Century Fox (and its precursor Fox Films) distributed its films, even when the studio sold to CBS Films in circa 1956. CBS Films became the original Viacom which evolved into ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) in 2019. As a result, Terrytoons was folded into Paramount Pictures with CBS Entertainment Group currently holding the television distribution to the film library. | ||
1942 |
1967 | |
| Animation: Theatrical short subjects and TV series
Founded in 1942 as the successor to Fleisher Studios. Produced licensed products based on other sources such as Popeye and Superman (both owned by Warner Bros. Discovery via Turner Entertainment and DC Comics); Harvey Comics and Felix the Cat (now both owned by Comcast's NBCUniversal via DreamWorks Classics). Although Paramount still owns the rights to the Pre-Oct 1950, Post-March 1962, and post-December 1967 cartoons. Former names: Famous Studios (1942–1956) | ||
Rainbow S.p.A. (30% stake) |
1995 |
sold in 2023 |
| Animation: Television series and feature films
Italian studio in which Paramount Global held a 30% ownership from 2011 to 2023.[2] Units: Bardel Entertainment,[3] Rainbow CGI | ||
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Paramount Animation
Founded in 2011, Paramount Animation is the animation division of Paramount Pictures that creates animated theatrical films. The company serves after a successor to Paramount Cartoon Studios (and the previous animation studios before it).
Projects
| Release date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| February 6, 2015 | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water[a] | |
| January 13, 2017 | Monster Trucks[a] | |
| March 23, 2018 | Sherlock Gnomes | |
| March 15, 2019 | Wonder Park | |
| August 14, 2020[b] | The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run[a] | |
| December 15, 2021 | Rumble | |
| October 27, 2023 | Under the Boardwalk | |
| February 2, 2024 | The Tiger's Apprentice | |
| September 20, 2024 | Transformers One |
Fleischer Studios
Fleischer Studios was founded in 1921 by Max Fleischer and his brother Dave Fleischer who originally ran the pioneering company.[4] The studios are most well known for creating famous characters such as Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, Bimbo, and producing shorts for licensed characters such as Popeye the Sailor and Superman. In 1942, Fleischer Studios was renamed to Famous Studios (later Paramount Cartoon Studios) after Paramount Pictures acquired it. The studio has also released animated feature films under Paramount.
Projects
| Release date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| December 22, 1939 | Gulliver's Travels | |
| December 5, 1941 | Mr. Bug Goes to Town |
Famous Studios/Paramount Cartoon Studios
Famous Studios (later renamed Paramount Cartoon Studios in 1956) was Paramount Pictures' first animation division. It was founded as a successor to Fleischer Studios after Paramount seized its founders, Max and Dave Fleischer's control in 1941.[4][5] The studio's productions included three series started by the Fleischer Popeye the Sailor, Superman, and Screen Songs. It also featured Harvey Comic characters such as Little Audrey, Little Lulu, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Honey Halfwitch, Herman and Katnip, Baby Huey, and the anthology Noveltoons series. After the animation studio shut down in 1967, Paramount sold most of these original characters back to their original owners.[6]
Terrytoons
Terrytoons was founded in 1929 by Paul Terry, Frank Moser, and Joseph Coffman. The studio has brought many cartoon characters such as Mighty Mouse, Heckle & Jeckle, Gandy Goose, Sourpuss, Dinky Duck, Luno, and Farmer Al Falfa (from Bray Productions, the studios' predecessor). 20th Century Fox (and its precursor Fox Films) originally released Terrytoons theatrical shorts. In 1955, CBS purchased the studio. The theatrical library was transferred under Paramount Pictures (via the ViacomCBS re-merger). Its television library still remains under CBS Entertainment Group.
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CBS Eye Animation Productions
Founded in 2018, CBS Eye Animation Productions is the animation production arm of CBS Studios. Its first projects announced were two Star Trek animated series, Star Trek: Lower Decks[7] and Star Trek: Prodigy (for Nickelodeon & Paramount+).[8]
Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Founded in 1990, Nickelodeon Animation Studio was originally named Games Animation[9] (previously Games Productions Inc.); it oversaw the production of animated programs for Nickelodeon such as Doug, Rugrats, and The Ren & Stimpy Show with Rocko's Modern Life becoming Games Animation's first fully in-house series produced for the network. In 1998-99 the studio's name was changed to Nickelodeon Animation Studio following relocation from Studio City, California to Burbank with a second facility in New York City in 1999.[10]
MTV Animation
Established in 1986, MTV Animation began by producing several animated shorts that aired as bumpers for its namesake network. While its department is often grouped with that of Nickelodeon's, the two entities are completely separate. MTV's cartoons typically have more dark humor, sexual jokes, graphic violence, and pop culture references than its sister studio. In the early 2000s, MTV Animation branched out to Web-based content.[11] As of recently, the current state of the studio remains unknown.
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Rainbow S.p.A.
In February 2011, Viacom purchased a 30% ownership stake in the Italian animation studio Rainbow S.p.A. for 62 million euros (US$83 million).[12] Since then, the studio has collaborated with ViacomCBS' other company, Nickelodeon, on multiple shows, including Winx Club and Club 57.[13] Paramount Global sold its 30% stake in the studio in 2023.
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