CBS/Fox Video
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
CBS/Fox Video was a home video company formed and established in 1982. The company was a merger between 20th Century Fox Video, formerly Magnetic Video Corporation, and CBS Video Enterprises.
The company was based in Farmington Hills, Michigan until 1985, when it moved to Livonia, Michigan. In 1989, it moved its headquarters to New York City.
CBS/Fox released the film library of 20th Century Fox, in addition to the film libraries of United Artists, ABC Pictures, Associated Film Distributors, CBS Theatrical Films (many of the titles had been previously issued through CBS Video's 1979-1982 partnership with MGM), TV shows owned by CBS, and in 1984, CBS/Fox became the American licensee of BBC Video products. The United Artists films consisted mainly of older titles, plus newer films from the James Bond series. Most other UA films were issued through MGM/UA Home Video beginning in 1984. In 1998, Fox Entertainment Group acquired CBS/Fox Video and the rest of CBS/Fox's non-shopping (film and TV) assets, and renamed CBS/Fox Video back to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Also, CBS/Fox concluded most of the TriStar Pictures library from 1984-1988, while others have been released through RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video and HBO Home Video.
CBS/Fox used speciality labels for children's videos, music videos, and sports videos. In addition to its CBS/Fox, CBS/Fox maintained two other labels, Key Video ('art' and B films) and Playhouse Video (children's films and programs). Both titles became inactive by 1990, though 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has since reactivated the Key Video label.
In 1990, a reorganization of the company was made, with most mainstream Fox titles being turned over to the new Fox Video that appeared in 1991. However, CBS/Fox remained active for distribution of BBC Video product and other non-Fox products.
The company ceased full operations in 1998, with the release of Our Friend Martin. A short time later, CBS' merger with Viacom was finalized, and the CBS/Fox partnership ceased existence.
Many CBS/Fox titles are out of print, or have been reissued under different labels:
- 20th Century Fox: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
- MGM/UA Entertainment Co.: MGM/20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
- CBS Theatrical Films and CBS' TV shows: Viacom/Paramount Home Entertainment
- Columbia TriStar Pictures: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- BBC Video: Warner Home Video
- ABC Pictures: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
- Anchor Bay Entertainment
- Associated Film Distributors: Various distributors