Our History
PAST, PRESENT,
10's
-
1914
Adolph Zukor, Daniel Frohman, and W.W. Hodkinson partner to establish Paramount Pictures Corporation.
For more Paramount history, click here.
A FOCUS ON
20's
-
1928
William S. Paley acquires United Independent Broadcasters Inc., a network of 16 independent radio stations, and changes the name to Columbia Broadcast System (CBS).
NEW SIGHTS,
30's
-
1931
CBS’ first television station, W2XAB, begins broadcasting.
-
1937
CBS is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Video clip
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in Manhattan's Financial District
BETTING BIG ON
40's
-
1940
W2XAB transmits the first color TV broadcast in the United States from a transmitter atop the Chrysler building.
Video clip
The Chrysler Building in Manhattan, New York City
-
1948
WCAU-Philadelphia is the first CBS Television Network affiliate. Within the year, there are 30 affiliated stations
SOMETHING
50's
-
1954
CBS creates an official news division: CBS News.
-
1956
"As the World Turns," the first half-hour serial in television history, premieres.
-
1956
CBS broadcasts its first Masters®, which later becomes the longest-running annual sports event presented on one network.
Video clip
CBS' broadcast of the The Masters in 1956
1960s - 1970s
LIFE IN
60's
-
1960
CBS is the first network to broadcast the Olympics in the United States, with the Winter Games in Squaw Valley, Calif.
-
1961
CBS Sports becomes a division of the CBS Television Network.
-
1967
CBS begins broadcasting all of its programs in color.
A NEW CAST OF
70's
-
1970
Viacom, a division of CBS, becomes incorporated.
-
1976
Viacom launches Showtime, beginning the company’s foray into cable TV.
Video clip
Showtime launches
-
1979
Nickelodeon launches with its first original program, "Pinwheel."
Video clip
"Pinwheel" on Nickelodeon
BREAKING DOWN
80's
-
1981
MTV makes its debut as a cable channel.
-
1985
VH1, MTV’s sister channel, launches.
REALITY'S RISE,
90's
-
1991
Viacom launches Comedy Central on April 1—April Fool’s Day.
-
1992
MTV debuts "The Real World," the network’s pioneering reality TV series.
-
1993
Viacom acquires major Hollywood studio Paramount Pictures.
Video clip
Paramount Studio Lot in Los Angeles
-
1997
CBS Corporation is established, uniting CBS and Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
-
1999
Viacom acquires CMT.
-
1999
“SpongeBob Squarepants” premieres and becomes the longest-running show on Nickelodeon.
Video clip
"SpongeBob SquarePants" on Nickelodeon
A New
00's
-
2000
The Viacom and CBS merger is complete. The Company is now known as Viacom Inc.
-
2001
Viacom acquires BET.
-
2005
Viacom launches Logo, the first ad-supported TV channel aimed at the LGBT community.
-
2005
The Viacom Board of Directors approves the creation of two separate publicly traded companies – CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc.
-
2007
Viacom 18, one of India’s fastest growing entertainment networks, is founded.
-
2008
EPIX forms.
CHARTING A NEW
Present
-
2014
CBS News launches 24/7 digital streaming news network CBSN.
-
2015
CBS All Access, CBS’ subscription OTT streaming service, debuts.
-
2016
Viacom acquires Argentinian TV network Telefe.
-
2016
Bob Bakish is named CEO of Viacom.
-
2019
Viacom acquires free, ad-supported streaming service Pluto TV.
-
2019
Viacom and CBS reunite in $12 billion merger.
-
2021
ViacomCBS rebrands CBS All Access as Paramount+.
Video clip
Paramount+, ViacomCBS' launches premier streaming service, launches