View Full Version : TV shows that switched production companies


James28
02-12-2014, 07:22 AM
I have heard of TV shows switching channels/networks, but TV shows switching production companies? That is a rare occurrence. Here are a couple of examples:

The sitcom Punky Brewster: Punky Brewster was produced in-house by NBC when it aired on NBC for Seasons one and two. When the series aired in syndication for seasons 3 and 4, NBC had to license the production rights to Columbia Pictures Television because under FCC rules at the time, a network could not be involved in the production or distribution of a syndicated show.

The animated comedy show The PJs: When The PJs channel-hopped from FOX to The WB before its third season, it changed production companies as well. The show's first two seasons (on FOX) were produced by Touchstone Television, and the show's third season (on The WB) were produced by Warner Bros. Television.

Any other cases of TV shows switching production companies?

mr awesome
02-12-2014, 10:25 AM
Not quite the same thing but at one point 'Maury' was put out by Paramount and then he took his show over to Universal who puts out Jerry Springer, Steve Wilkos and as Multimedia put out Phil Donahue and Sally Jesse Raphael.

I suspect that many of the shows that ended and were resurrected a year or two later switched production companies but I would have to look that up.

bmasters9
02-12-2014, 12:58 PM
Hart to Hart was, for its first three seasons (1979-82), simply "Rona II in association with Spelling-Goldberg Productions," and was done at Fox, but, for its last two seasons (1982-84), was "A Rona II and Spelling-Goldberg Production in association with" CPT, and was done from The Burbank Studios.

bencasey
02-12-2014, 10:39 PM
The first 3 seasons of the Gale Storm Show (Oh Susannah) were produced by Hal Roach Studios. When the company went bankrupt in 1958 with the show still on ABC, ITC took it over for the last season.

mr awesome
02-12-2014, 11:15 PM
This doesn't really count but I'll mention it anyway: ABC studios produced the CSI pilot, once ABC passed and CBS picked it up they left the production and CBS studios took up the slack. The first season of Walker, Texas Ranger was Cannon Productions (who put out most of the Chuck Norris films) but they went bankrupt/shut down after season one and CBS and some other production companies swooped in.

Ant-Lox
02-13-2014, 02:18 AM
Season 1 of The Jeff Foxworthy show changed networks, cast, plot lines and locations when it changed networks.

I just don't remember if it went from ABC to NBC, or NBC to ABC.

But the changes were drastic.

jehobden
02-13-2014, 02:24 PM
Season 1 of The Jeff Foxworthy show changed networks, cast, plot lines and locations when it changed networks.

I just don't remember if it went from ABC to NBC, or NBC to ABC.

But the changes were drastic.

The Jeff Foxworthy Show went from ABC to NBC, and it also went from videotape to film. Also the mother was replaced (From an NBC promo... Son: Where's Mom? Jeff: She's being recast.) and a younger son was added.

Vahan
02-13-2014, 02:33 PM
Pee-Wee's Playhouse was created and produced by Pee-Wee Pictures (actually, Paul Reubens himself) for all of its five-year-run from 1986 to 1990. But Paul Reubens had three different production companies co-producing with him.

Originally, the show was shot in a converted loft at 480 West Broadway in SoHo, Manhattan , and was co-produced with Broadcast Arts Services. (1986)

In 1987, for season 2, the show moved to Los Angeles, California at the Hollywood Center Studios, and was now produced by Steve Binder's Production Company, Binder Entertainment. (1987-1988)

In 1989, for season 4, the show changed production facilities and production companies yet again, this time The Culver Studios (also in Los Angeles), and Canadian-based Grosso-Jacobson Productions. (1989-1990)

It was Alex Aurichio, a first-assistant cameraman during the first season of the show, who specified the exact shooting location of said first season.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090500/faq

James28
02-21-2014, 03:48 AM
I don't think The Jeff Foxworthy Show ever changed production companies, nor do I remember such an occurrence; TJFS just changed networks, formats, etc..

James28
04-18-2014, 12:07 AM
According to tvtropes.org, NBC sitcom The Golden Girls, like, nearly went towards a production company hop. In 1991, Touchstone Television decided against producing any more original episodes of TGG for financial reasons. They were going to have Warner Bros. Television step into the breach, but the plan fell apart when star Beatrice Arthur announced her departure after season 7 of TGG.

factsoflife
04-18-2014, 01:16 AM
Full House. It was produced by Lorimar-Telepictures from 1987-1988 (season 1) which then changed it's name to Lorimar Television and produced the series from 1988-1993, and then Warner Brothers Television produced it from 1993-1995. These were all in Association with Jeff Franklin Productions and Miller-Boyette Productions.

Lorimar Television
04-18-2014, 12:56 PM
Full House. It was produced by Lorimar-Telepictures from 1987-1988 (season 1) which then changed it's name to Lorimar Television and produced the series from 1988-1993, and then Warner Brothers Television produced it from 1993-1995. These were all in Association with Jeff Franklin Productions and Miller-Boyette Productions.
Alot of Lorimar shows were produced by Warner Brothers Television after Lorimar Television dissolved. Family Matters was produced by Lorimar Television from 1989-1993, and then Warner Brothers Television from 1993-1998. It was also produced by Miller-Boyett Productions for it's whole run, and Bickley-Warren Productions from 1991-1998. Similarly Step by Step was also produced by Lorimar Television from 1991-1993, and then Warner Brothers Television from 1993-1998. It was produced by Bickley-Warren and Miller-Boyett Productions for it's whole run as well.

Ryan Chamberlain
04-18-2014, 06:14 PM
Night Court

First 6 seasons it was produced by Starry Night Productions (Reinhold Weege's company) and then for the last 3 seasons by Warner Bros.