Colex Enterprises

Colex Enterprises was a United States television-syndication joint venture created by Columbia Pictures Television and LBS Communications, Inc. The venture operated from January 1984 until December 31, 1987, primarily distributing Columbia-related programming through domestic syndication. Its name combined “Columbia” with “Lexington,” a reference to Lexington Broadcast Services, the earlier name associated with LBS. Colex was therefore less a consumer-facing entertainment studio than a distribution and packaging identity used to market television properties to broadcasters and other syndication outlets. The venture grew out of an agreement reached in December 1982, when Columbia Pictures Television licensed domestic distribution rights for the television series Family to LBS. When Colex formally began operating, Family became part of its program roster, while Gidget was identified as the first new series added by the venture. Colex handled both advertiser-supported barter syndication and cash-based distribution. Its programming inventory combined older television series, more recent off-network shows, first-run material, made-for-television films, theatrical movies, miniseries, and selected specials. In 1985, Colex organized its inventory under several package labels. Colex First-Run was used for new material; Colex Premiere Movies covered film and telemovie packages; The Colex Collection, also called Colex Off-Net, represented newer off-network programs with established audience appeal; The Colex 3-Pack was associated with miniseries; and The Colex Classics grouped older, established television series. These labels gave stations and syndication buyers a clearer way to evaluate different types of content, while also allowing the joint venture to present a broad library under a unified commercial identity. The package structure was adjusted in 1986. Colex Premiere Movies was renamed Colex Films. Family was reassigned from the off-network package to The Colex Classics, while Ghost Story, also known as Circle of Fear, moved in the opposite direction. Such changes reflected the flexible way syndication libraries were marketed: package names and program groupings could be revised as titles aged, changed audience categories, or became more useful in different sales offerings. By early 1987, Colex’s billing identified it as a joint venture of LBS Communications and Columbia Pictures Television in association with Coca-Cola Telecommunications. Coca-Cola Telecommunications had been formed through the combination of Columbia’s first-run syndication unit with the Television Program Source, another related joint venture. Colex and Coca-Cola Telecommunications were subsequently dissolved after the formation of Columbia Pictures Entertainment, which brought together Coca-Cola’s entertainment operations and Tri-Star Pictures. Colex ceased to exist as an operating venture at the end of 1987. The business relationship between Columbia Pictures Television and LBS continued for approximately four additional years after Colex’s dissolution. During that period, LBS distributed further Columbia properties under a different billing rather than the Colex name. The arrangement ended around the time LBS was winding down after filing for bankruptcy. The Colex name nevertheless survived as a trademark associated with Sony Pictures Television. Colex’s historical significance lies in its role as a transitional syndication brand linking Columbia’s television library with LBS’s distribution and advertising-sales infrastructure during the highly competitive 1980s American syndication market.

Colex Enterprises emerged from a distribution relationship between Columbia Pictures Television and LBS Communications, Inc. In December 1982, Columbia licensed domestic syndication rights for Family to LBS. That arrangement provided the foundation for a more formal venture, which began operating in January 1984 under the Colex name. The name was formed as a blend of Columbia and Lexington, reflecting LBS's historical connection with Lexington Broadcast Services. Colex was created to sell and distribute television material, especially Columbia properties, to the United States syndication market. Its commercial model included advertiser-supported barter arrangements as well as cash syndication. The roster included programs from several eras and genres, allowing the venture to offer stations both familiar library titles and newer programming. Family was part of the initial inventory, and Gidget was described as the first new series added after the venture was established. Other distributed television properties included Father Knows Best, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Route 66, The Flying Nun, Ghost Story/Circle of Fear, Eischied, Father Murphy, and Hardcastle and McCormick. Colex also handled film and telemovie material. Its listed movie distribution included The Care Bears Movie, The Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation, and Heathcliff: The Movie. Telemovie properties included Gidget Gets Married and Three Wishes for Jamie. In November 1985, the company formalized its inventory into several package brands: Colex First-Run for new programming; Colex Premiere Movies for film and telemovie offerings; The Colex Collection, also called Colex Off-Net, for newer off-network shows; The Colex 3-Pack for miniseries; and The Colex Classics for established older series. The package system changed the following year. Colex Premiere Movies became Colex Films. Family moved into The Colex Classics, while Ghost Story/Circle of Fear was transferred into the off-network collection. These adjustments show that the labels were sales and merchandising categories rather than permanently fixed divisions. The company could reposition programs as the age, market value, and syndication status of individual titles changed. Colex's corporate identity also shifted near the end of its life. By the beginning of 1987, its billing referred to LBS Communications and Columbia Pictures Television in association with Coca-Cola Telecommunications. That wording followed the formation of Coca-Cola Telecommunications through a merger involving the Television Program Source and Columbia's first-run syndication operation. The subsequent creation of Columbia Pictures Entertainment led to the dissolution of both Colex and Coca-Cola Telecommunications. Colex's active period ended on December 31, 1987. The relationship between Columbia Pictures Television and LBS did not end immediately with the Colex venture. For about four more years, Columbia properties continued to be licensed to LBS, but the programs were billed as distributed by LBS in association with Columbia Pictures Television rather than under the Colex identity. This later arrangement included titles such as Matt Helm, Gibbsville, David Cassidy: Man Undercover, Salvage 1, The Rousters, Crazy Like a Fox, Casey Jones, What's Happening!!, Code Red, What's Happening Now!!, and The Real Ghostbusters. The arrangement ended as LBS was reducing its operations after filing for bankruptcy. The Colex name continued as a trademark associated with Sony Pictures Television, even though the original joint venture no longer operated.

• 1987

  Coca-Cola Telecommunications added to billing

  [1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Colex's billing was changed to identify Coca-Cola Telecommunications as an associated organization following the formation of that related syndication venture.

• 1987

  Colex is dissolved

  [1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Colex and Coca-Cola Telecommunications were dissolved after the formation of Columbia Pictures Entertainment; Colex's operating period ended on December 31.

• 1986

  Syndication packages rearranged

  [1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Colex renamed Colex Premiere Movies as Colex Films and reassigned Family and Ghost Story/Circle of Fear between its classic and off-network packages.

• 1985

  Package-brand system introduced

  [1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Colex introduced package labels including Colex First-Run, Colex Premiere Movies, The Colex Collection, The Colex 3-Pack, and The Colex Classics.

• 1984

  Colex Enterprises begins operations

  [1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  The Columbia Pictures Television and LBS Communications joint venture began operating in January, distributing television and film properties in domestic syndication.

• 1982

  Columbia licenses Family to LBS

  [1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Columbia Pictures Television agreed to license domestic distribution rights for Family to LBS Communications, establishing the commercial relationship that later produced Colex.

• Colex name retained as a trademark

  [1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Although the joint venture ended, the Colex name remained a trademark associated with Sony Pictures Television.

A domestic television-syndication and content-packaging brand that combined Columbia Pictures Television programming with LBS Communications' distribution and advertising-sales capabilities.

• First-run television syndication · 1985

  Colex First-Run

  A Colex package label for newly produced or newly distributed material. It represented the venture's current-programming offering within its broader syndication portfolio, distinct from its packages of established off-network and classic series.

• Film and telemovie syndication · 1985

  Colex Films

  Originally introduced as Colex Premiere Movies and renamed Colex Films in 1986, this package covered feature films and television movies. The inventory included post-1947 Bob Hope films and telemovies such as Family Reunion and The Best Place to Be.

• Off-network television syndication · 1985

  The Colex Collection

  Also known as Colex Off-Net, this package grouped newer off-network programs with established audience appeal. Its roster included programs such as Ghost Story/Circle of Fear after that title was moved from the classics package.

• Classic television series syndication · 1985

  The Colex Classics

  A package for older, recognizable television series. Family was moved into this category in 1986, joining library-oriented offerings such as Father Knows Best, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Route 66, and The Flying Nun.

• Miniseries syndication · 1985

  The Colex 3-Pack

  A package label used for miniseries offered through Colex's domestic syndication operation. The available reference material identifies the category but does not provide a complete title list.

• 1987

  Dissolve Colex after Columbia Pictures Entertainment is formedM&A

  Background

  The creation of Columbia Pictures Entertainment changed the corporate structure surrounding Columbia's entertainment and syndication operations.

  Action taken

  Colex Enterprises and Coca-Cola Telecommunications were dissolved, ending Colex's operation at the end of 1987.

  Aftermath

  Columbia and LBS continued a distribution relationship for several years under a different billing, while the Colex trademark later remained associated with Sony Pictures Television.

  Source

• 1986

  Reposition package categoriesStrategy

  Background

  The venture revised how several programs were categorized within its syndication offerings.

  Action taken

  Colex renamed its movie package Colex Films, moved Family to The Colex Classics, and transferred Ghost Story/Circle of Fear to The Colex Collection.

  Aftermath

  The changes repositioned individual titles according to their perceived library or off-network value before the venture's eventual dissolution.

  Source

• 1985

  Create branded syndication packagesStrategy

  Background

  Colex needed to present a mixed inventory of first-run programs, off-network series, classic television, films, telemovies, and miniseries to syndication buyers.

  Action taken

  The venture established separate package identities, including Colex First-Run, Colex Premiere Movies, The Colex Collection, The Colex 3-Pack, and The Colex Classics.

  Aftermath

  The labels were revised in 1986, when Colex Premiere Movies became Colex Films and selected programs were moved between the off-network and classics categories.

  Source

• 1987

  Colex Enterprises is dissolved[1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  Colex and related Coca-Cola entertainment ventures were dissolved following the creation of Columbia Pictures Entertainment.

• 1985

  Colex reorganizes its syndication package labels[1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Colex introduced a group of package names covering first-run programs, films, off-network shows, miniseries, and classic series.

• 1984

  Colex Enterprises begins operating as a Columbia Pictures Television and LBS Communications joint venture[1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  The new venture began distributing television properties, including Family and Gidget, through domestic United States syndication.

• LBS Communications winds down after bankruptcy filing[1]Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Other

  After Colex ended, the continuing Columbia-LBS distribution arrangement eventually concluded as LBS entered a period of winding down following a bankruptcy filing.

1. 1Colex Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org