Star Trek corporate history

Template:Realworld With corporate mergers, acquisitions, and splits, the Star Trek franchise has had several different owners in its history.

Desilu (1964 – 1967)

The studio produced the original Trek pilot "The Cage" in 1964 and began to produce Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966.

Paramount Television, Gulf+Western (1967 – 1989)

Gulf and Western Industries, more commonly known as Gulf+Western, acquired Desilu in 1967 and named it Paramount Television. Gulf+Western had acquired Paramount Pictures in 1966. The original series completed production under the Desilu name in 1969. Paramount Pictures began producing and distributing Trek films in 1979. Paramount Television began producing Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987.

Paramount Television, Paramount Communications (1989 – 1994)

Gulf+Western reorganized in 1989, sold off most of its non-communications holdings, and renamed itself Paramount Communications. It continued to hold Paramount Television, which continued to produce TNG and began producing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1993, and Paramount Pictures, which continued to produce Star Trek films.

Paramount Television, Paramount Communications, Viacom (1994 – 2005)

Paramount Communications was purchased by the old Viacom in 1994. During Viacom's ownership, Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise were produced. Paramount Pictures continued to produce Trek movies.

TV - CBS Television Distribution, CBS Paramount Network Television/CBS Television Studios, CBS Corporation (2005 – present)

Viacom had purchased the CBS Corporation in 2000. They split in 2005. The old Viacom then became the CBS Corporation. Its holding Paramount Television became CBS Paramount Network Television. CBS Television Distribution formed soon after and took over distribution of past Star Trek shows. In 2009, CBS Paramount Network Television became CBS Television Studios; CBS Television Studios has production rights for new Trek series, though it has not (yet) produced any under that name.

Movies - Paramount Pictures, Viacom (new) (2005 – present)

In the 2005 Viacom/CBS split, the old Viacom became the CBS Corporation and a new Viacom was created. This new company owns Paramount Pictures which owns the Trek films. Paramount Pictures produced Star Trek under license from CBS Paramount Television.