| Type | Entertainment, Television, Film, television syndication |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1978 |
| Key people | Michael Garin, Founder of Lorimar, Hilary Estey McLoughlin, Current President |
| Parent | Independent (1978-1986) Lorimar-Telepictures (1986-1989) Warner Communications (1989) Time Warner (1989-2001, 2003-present) AOL Time Warner (2001-2003) |
Telepictures (also known as Telepictures Productions; formerly known as Telepictures Distribution and Telepictures Corporation) is an American production company, currently operating as a label of Warner Bros. Television, with Hilary Estey McLoughlin currently serving as President. Telepictures was established in 1978 by Michael Garin as a television syndication firm.
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The company syndicated Rankin-Bass's programming and specials that were produced from 1974 to 1988 (eventually owning the company), including new and successful animated series, such as ThunderCats and SilverHawks. In addition, Telepictures had syndicated numerous television programs such as My Favorite Martian, Here's Lucy, Love Connection, and The People's Court. Telepictures also operated a small publishing arm, which published some magazines, such as Muppet Magazine. [1]
In January 1986, the company merged with Merv Adelson and Lee Rich's Lorimar Productions, creating Lorimar-Telepictures and assumed production and distribution of shows like Dallas and Knots Landing. The company also began distribution of first-run episodes of Mama's Family in June 1986.
In 1988, Lorimar Television became a separate production entity, which would be folded into Warner Bros. Television by 1993 and in 1989, Warner Communications purchased the company and folded the distribution business of Lorimar-Telepictures into Warner Bros. Television Distribution. Telepictures became Telepictures Productions in 1990, a producer of syndicated programming that Warner Bros. Television would distribute. The company produces the syndicated news magazine Extra and produced the now-defunct Jenny Jones syndicated talk show.
Shortly after the purchase of Turner Entertainment by parent company Time Warner, the company's syndication arm was relaunched as Telepictures Distribution in 1996 (reincorporated from Turner Program Services). The company distributed non-Warner Bros. produced programming to which the syndication rights have been licensed to Warner and/or Turner as well as Warner properties such as re-runs of The West Wing, Mama's Family and The Jamie Foxx Show.
In 2003, Telepictures Distribution was folded into Warner Bros. Television Distribution.