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ABC Films

Worldvision Enterprises, Inc.
Corporation
Industry Television syndication
Home video distributor
Fate Folded into Paramount Domestic Television
Successor Paramount Domestic Television (1999–2006)
CBS Paramount Domestic Television (2006–2007)
CBS Television Distribution (2007–present)
Founded March 27, 1954 (1954-03-27) (as ABC Film Syndication)
Defunct 1999
Headquarters United States
Area served
 Worldwide
Owner
Parent
  • American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc. (1953–1973)
  • Independent (1973–1979)
  • Taft Broadcasting (1979–1988)
  • Spelling Entertainment Inc. (1989–1991)
  • The Charter Company (1991–1992)
  • Spelling Entertainment Group (1992–1999)
  • Blockbuster, Inc. (controlling interest, 1993–1994)
  • National Amusements (1994–1999)

Worldvision Enterprises, Inc. was a television program distributor established in July 1953 as ABC Film Syndication, the domestic and overseas program distribution arm of the ABC Television Network. They primarily licensed programs from independent producers, rather than producing their own content.

On March 27, 1954 (1954-03-27), American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, Inc. created the ABC Films Syndication, Inc. (AFS), a subsidiary headed by George Shupert, which specialized in syndication and in-house program production. By January 1956, AFS formed a 50/50 joint venture production company, Rabco Productions, with Hal Roach, Jr..

In January 1956, AFS president announced an expansion in production and sales staff for the year. Five new properties were acquired by the company with all receive pilots with two set for syndication if not placed nationally. Two were to be produced by John Gibbs and Meridian Pictures, "Renfrew of the Mounted" and "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" while Rabco's Bernard Fox was assigned "Forest Ranger". The two pilots set for production were "The Americano" by Martin Gosch and filmed in Spain and "The Force" produced by Victor Stoloff about the plain clothed Canadian Mounties division. Two shows, Code 3 and The Three Musketeers were already under production for syndication.

In 1959, ABC International created Worldvision Enterprises to syndicate programs to overseas markets.Henry G. Plitt, previously Paramount Gulf Theatres president, became president of the company in February 1959 to replace Shupert after he left for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Kevin O’Sullivan later became president of the company.


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Wikipedia

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