Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television
Television production division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
MGM Television is the television production division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, producing and distributing TV programs.
History
MGM’s television history began before the formal creation of MGM Television. During the early 1950s, the film studio considered television primarily as a promotional medium and explored relationships with broadcast programs. MGM Parade, an anthology and compilation program, was among its early television efforts. The studio then decided that the expanding television market represented a direct licensing and production opportunity rather than merely an advertising outlet. A dedicated MGM Television operation was organized in June 1956 under Bud Barry. Its initial responsibilities included selling MGM’s feature films to television, developing series, and considering ownership or investment in television stations. Sales executives from Guild Films joined the operation, and MGM acquired a minority interest in KTTV in Los Angeles. The business quickly became an important part of the studio’s commercial strategy, although its practices in packaging the film library attracted a 1957 antitrust action by the United States Department of Justice. MGM defended its licensing arrangements by emphasizing that stations could choose among packages and individual titles. The division’s development was uneven. MGM considered numerous series during the late 1950s, but network decisions limited its early primetime presence. Production resumed more actively around the 1960–61 season, with executives and producers recruited from the networks and independent production community. The company sold feature-film packages, made commercials, supplied series, and attempted various forms of branded distribution. In 1973 it introduced the MGM Family Network concept, but financial difficulties at the parent company soon led to the closure of distribution offices and the outsourcing of film-library distribution. The 1981 MGM-United Artists merger produced the MGM/UA television identity. The division worked with producers including Fred Silverman, George Reeves, David Gerber, and Jerry Ludwig, and launched the MGM/UA Premiere Network in 1984. The 1986 sale to Ted Turner created a major division in the library: Turner retained the pre-May 1986 MGM television programs after returning most of the acquired company to Kirk Kerkorian. That retained library later moved into the Warner Bros. family through Turner Broadcasting. MGM’s continuing television operation was renamed and reorganized several times while maintaining production of programs such as Fame, The Twilight Zone, and Kids Incorporated. During the 1990s, the television group underwent further restructuring. MGM returned to the MGM Television name, established worldwide and telecommunications divisions, and expanded its library through the acquisition of Orion and other companies. These transactions brought additional television catalogs and strengthened MGM’s position as a rights owner and distributor. The 2000s brought major changes in distribution. After the 2005 acquisition of MGM by a consortium that included Sony and Comcast, Sony Pictures Television handled significant distribution of MGM’s television output. MGM reclaimed greater control in 2006 and pursued a broader strategy that included television networks and digital channels. Partnerships and ventures produced services such as This TV, MGM HD, Impact, Comet, Light TV, and Charge!, while MGM’s domestic television sales operation distributed programming for partners including MeTV. MGM Television later emphasized production partnerships and acquisitions. MGM consolidated the Lightworkers Media and One Three Media businesses into United Artists Media Group, acquired the remaining UAMG interest, and placed Mark Burnett in charge of MGM Television. It also created Gato Grande Productions with Mexican partners and acquired Evolution Media and Big Fish Entertainment. These moves broadened MGM’s capabilities in unscripted, reality, international, and producer-led television while continuing to exploit the company’s film and television library.
- 2018
Big Fish Entertainment acquired
[1]MGM acquires the unscripted producer Big Fish Entertainment.
- 2017
Evolution Media acquired
[1]MGM expands its unscripted-production portfolio through the acquisition of Evolution Media.
- 2015
MGM takes full control of UAMG
[1]MGM acquires the remaining UAMG interest and appoints Mark Burnett as MGM Television chief executive.
- 2014
United Artists Media Group is formed
[1]MGM combines Lightworkers Media and One Three Media into a new television production division.
- 2006
MGM reclaims television distribution
[1]MGM ends Sony’s television and home-entertainment distribution role and relaunches its own operation.
- 2005
Sony-led consortium acquires MGM
[1]A consortium including Sony and Comcast purchases MGM, leading Sony Pictures Television to distribute substantial MGM television assets.
- 1997
MGM acquires Orion and related libraries
[1]MGM purchases Orion Pictures, The Samuel Goldwyn Company, and Motion Picture Corporation of America assets.
- 1986
Turner acquisition separates parts of the library
[1]Ted Turner acquires MGM/UA and retains the pre-May 1986 MGM television holdings after the broader transaction is reversed.
- 1981
MGM and United Artists merge
[1]The television operation adopts the MGM/UA identity following the parent-company merger.
- 1973
MGM Family Network launches
[1]MGM introduces a branded television network concept carried by a group of stations.
Products and positioning
A studio-and-library entertainment brand combining MGM’s classic film assets with television production, syndication, international distribution, branded channels, and investments in independent producers.
Scripted television series · 1997
Stargate SG-1
A science-fiction television series based on the Stargate film property. First broadcast in 1997, it became one of MGM Television’s most prominent long-running television franchises and helped extend the studio’s film mythology into serialized television.
First-run syndicated court show · 2013
Paternity Court
A syndicated courtroom and talk-format program announced by MGM Television in 2012 through its Orion television production operation. It represented MGM’s return to the local first-run syndication market after a lengthy period in which outside distributors handled much of its television output.
Scripted television series
Fame
A television series produced by MGM Television during the 1980s, continuing the studio’s practice of adapting or extending film-related entertainment properties for television.
Anthology television series
The Twilight Zone
MGM Television produced the 1980s revival of the classic science-fiction anthology. The division also participated in later syndication packaging and distribution of episodes and related programming.
Digital broadcast network · 2015
Comet
A genre-focused digital television network launched with Sinclair Broadcast Group. It uses MGM’s library and emphasizes science fiction and related entertainment.
Digital broadcast network · 2017
Charge!
A second digital-network venture between MGM and Sinclair Broadcast Group, launched with MGM programming and largely replacing The Works in the relevant distribution portfolio.
Digital broadcast network · 2016
Light TV
A network introduced by MGM with a programming focus on family and faith-oriented entertainment.
Digital broadcast network · 2006
This TV
A movie-and-television network launched by MGM in partnership with Weigel Broadcasting, using MGM’s catalog as a significant programming resource.
Controversies
1957
Film-library packaging antitrust case
The U.S. Department of Justice sued MGM Television over alleged block booking in the sale of its film library to television stations. MGM disputed the allegations and described its package structure as providing stations with multiple licensing choices.
Brand decisions
2018
Acquire Big Fish EntertainmentM&ABackground
MGM continued to expand its unscripted and nonfiction production portfolio.
Action taken
MGM acquired Big Fish Entertainment, known for unscripted television production.
Aftermath
The transaction further diversified MGM Television’s production base beyond scripted series and library distribution.
2017
Acquire Evolution MediaM&ABackground
MGM was broadening its presence in unscripted television and reality production.
Action taken
MGM acquired Evolution Media, an unscripted studio associated with the Real Housewives franchise.
Aftermath
The acquisition increased MGM Television’s in-house unscripted-production capacity.
2015
Acquire the remaining UAMG interestM&ABackground
MGM had previously held a majority stake in United Artists Media Group.
Action taken
MGM announced a stock-and-cash transaction to acquire the remaining interest and named Mark Burnett chief executive of MGM Television.
Aftermath
UAMG’s production assets became more fully integrated with MGM Television, including co-production participation in Burnett-associated reality franchises.
2014
Acquire a controlling stake in Lightworkers Media and One Three MediaM&ABackground
MGM sought to expand its television production capabilities through companies associated with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.
Action taken
MGM acquired a 55 percent stake and combined the businesses into United Artists Media Group.
Aftermath
The transaction gave MGM a larger platform for scripted, unscripted, and faith-oriented television production.
2006
End Sony distribution and restore direct controlStrategyBackground
Sony Pictures Television had handled significant MGM television distribution after the 2005 consortium acquisition of MGM.
Action taken
MGM announced that it would end Sony’s television and home-entertainment distribution role and relaunch its own production and distribution operation.
Aftermath
The move returned greater control over MGM’s television output to the studio and supported its renewed participation in first-run syndication.
Recent events
SM Entertainment and MGM partner on U.S. K-pop audition program[3]
Reported:
SM Entertainment and MGM Worldwide Television Group partnered to create a K-pop audition program in the United States, intended to launch a new NCT sub-unit focused on U.S. promotions.
Sources3 sources
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