Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 22:24, 9 September 2019

Twentieth Television, Inc. (stylized as 20th Television) is an American television syndication studio and distributor and the syndication arm of 20th Century Fox Television, which itself is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.

History

20th Television was formed in 1989 by Fox, Inc. (the News Corporation unit that oversaw 20th Century Fox at that time) in order to separate 20th Century Fox's television productions (which were previously handled by its 20th Century Fox Television division) from the movie studio in order to increase the latter's output. During this time, 20th Television and 20th Century Fox served as two of Fox's four main units, along with the Fox Broadcasting Company and Fox Television Stations. Following a 1994 restructuring of Fox's television production companies, 20th Television was refocused on syndication and "non-traditional programs"; its network television division was moved back to 20th Century Fox and retook the 20th Century Fox Television name.

20th Television distributes almost all programming from the television production unit and its subsidiaries and the motion picture studio's output (and their own subdivisions). It also owns programming from other production companies and studios they have acquired, including MTM Enterprises, most by Metromedia Producers Corporation, and most by New World Entertainment (including those by Four Star Television and Genesis Entertainment).

The company also syndicates and/or co-syndicates product from partners such as Regency Television and Debmar-Mercury (until April 2019). The Lincolnwood Drive subsidiary of 20th Television has been used to produce the syndicated court series Divorce Court since the 2014-15 season, mainly for tax reasons.

In 1992, Greg Meidel became president of 20th Television, serving until 1995. Meidel was president of MyNetworkTV when he add 20th Television's same position to his responsibility in 2009.

As part of the restructuring that stemmed from News Corporation spinning off its entertainment assets into 21st Century Fox, it was announced on July 8, 2013, that 20th Television will operate under the management of 20th Century Fox Television; it was previously under Fox Television Stations. As a result, the former company's president will now report to the latter's chairmen. After the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company on March 21, 2019, president Greg Meidel was laid off. Following the completion of the acquisition, distribution of Divorce Court, Dish Nation, and 25 Words or Less , all of which were previously distributed by 20th Television, was transferred to a new division of Fox Corporation (which retained the broadcast network and sports assets of Fox) known as Fox First Run.

See also

• 20th Century Fox Television
• Fox 21 Television Studios
• Disney–ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution
• ABC Studios

References

1. Horn, John (July 12, 1989). "20th Century Fox Restructures Film, Television Units". Associated Press. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
2. Harmetz, Aljean; Special to The New York Times (1989-07-13). "A Revamping of Fox Film Puts Emphasis on Movies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
3. "2 Named to Executive Posts in Fox TV Restructuring". Los Angeles Times. December 5, 1994. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
4. "'Feud', 'Dead Zone' Both Clear 85% of Country". TV News Check. January 11, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
5. Guider, Elizabeth (January 11, 2007). "'Dead Zone' headed to syndication". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
6. Andreeva, Nellie (May 30, 2019). "Greg Meidel Joins Judge Judy Sheindlin's Company Queen Bee Productions". Deadline. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
7. "21st Century Fox Realigns TV Syndication, Distribution Biz Under 20th Century Fox TV". Deadline Hollywood. July 8, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
8. Andreeva, Nellie (March 21, 2019). "Fox Television President Greg Meidel Out As Disney-Fox Layoffs Continue". Deadline. Retrieved June 7, 2019.

External links

• Template:Imdb company

• Television syndication distributors
• Companies based in Los Angeles
• Media companies established in 1989
• 20th Century Fox Television
• Disney production studios
• Disney acquisitions