CBS Studios International (CSI or CBS SI) (formerly CBS Paramount International Television) is a leading supplier of programming to the international television marketplace, licensing to over 200 markets and more than 30 languages across multiple media platforms. CBS Studios International also exports a diverse line-up of formats for local production around the world and participates in international channel ventures. The division distributes content from CBS Television Studios, CBS Television Distribution, Showtime, CBS News, CBS Films and a library of more than 70,000 hours of programming.
CBS Paramount International Television was formed in 2004 as a result of a merger between two television companies, CBS Broadcast International and Paramount International Television. In May 2009, CPITV was renamed to CBS Studios International.
The company distributes the CBS Studios library as well as the Rysher Entertainment library (owned domestically by 2929 Entertainment), the King World Productions library and certain HBO shows internationally. In addition it also has part ownership of Australian subscription channels TV1 and Sci Fi.[1] On September 14, 2009, it was revealed that CBS Studios International, struck a joint venture deal with Chellomedia to launch six CBS-branded channels in the UK during 2009. The new channels would replace Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller, Zone Horror and Zone Reality, plus timeshift services Zone Horror +1 and Zone Reality +1.[2][3] CBS Reality, CBS Reality +1, CBS Drama and CBS Action would launched on November 16, 2009 replacing Zone Reality, Zone Reality +1, Zone Romantica and Zone Thriller respectively.[4] On April 5, 2010, Zone Horror and Zone Horror +1 were rebranded as Horror Channel and Horror Channel +1.[5]
CSI licenses rights for the top international formats which include: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, America's Next Top Model, and I Love Lucy.
From 2006-2009 as CBS Paramount International Television, the company distributed the film libraries from Paramount Pictures and Republic Pictures.
In 2010, CBS Studios International went into an equal joint venture with Reliance Broadcast Network Limited to form BIG CBS Networks Pvt. Ltd. The network operates a general entertainment channel, BIG CBS Prime a youth oriented channel, BIG CBS Spark and a women's and urban couple oriented channel, BIG CBS Love.
In January 2011, Australian company Ten Network Holdings and CBS Studios International launched digital free-to-air channel Eleven with CBS Studios International holding a 33% stake in the new joint venture company ElevenCo Pty Ltd.[6]
A handful of TV series in the CBS library were co-produced with other companies, in several cases, CBS only owns international rights. A listing of these shows and their American rightsholders follow.