Paramount International Networks
Paramount International Networks is Paramount's international television, content-production and channel-operations division outside the United States.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Paramount International Networks (PIN) is the international operating division responsible for extending Paramount's television and entertainment brands beyond the United States. Its activities encompass the production, distribution, broadcasting and promotion of channels and content associated with Paramount Media Networks and related Paramount businesses. Its portfolio has historically included international versions of Paramount Network, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, TeenNick, BET and VH1, together with selected CBS-branded channels operated in partnership with AMC Networks International and a number of locally owned or co-owned broadcasters. The division grew out of the international operations of MTV Networks. Its earliest international infrastructure was established in Europe in the late 1980s, particularly through offices in London and Amsterdam and the launch of MTV Europe, now generally associated with MTV's global international operations. Over time, the business developed regional offices, channel feeds, production partnerships and licensing arrangements across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The organization was subsequently known as MTV Networks International, Viacom International Media Networks, ViacomCBS Networks International and, following the 2022 corporate rebrand, a Paramount-branded international division. PIN operates through regional structures covering the United Kingdom and Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and the Americas. Its international footprint has included offices in cities such as London, São Paulo, Berlin, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Lagos, Madrid, Milan, Mumbai, Paris, Singapore, Budapest, Belgrade and Sydney. Regional operations adapt global brands to local audiences through localized programming, advertising, language feeds, scheduling and partnerships with domestic broadcasters and production companies. The division's business scope extends beyond linear television. It has supported local scripted and unscripted production, international program sales, digital distribution, consumer products and the expansion of Paramount's streaming and content businesses. Its production activities were formalized through Viacom International Studios in Miami, later rebranded through the ViacomCBS and Paramount eras as Paramount Television International Studios. The studio model was intended to develop local adaptations and original programming for Paramount's international networks and digital platforms. Important assets and partnerships have included Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, Network 10 in Australia, the Indian joint venture Viacom18, and a minority investment in Italian animation company Rainbow. These holdings and relationships have changed over time. The international division also previously managed or supported numerous regional music and entertainment networks, including VIVA, TMF, VH1 feeds and other channels that were later closed, sold, renamed or consolidated. PIN is best understood as an international media platform rather than a single consumer-facing channel. Its role is to coordinate Paramount brands across markets while combining global franchises with local programming and distribution arrangements. Following Paramount's acquisition by Skydance, the international leadership structure was reorganized, with international operations and global content distribution separated from global products and experiences. The division remains part of Paramount Skydance's worldwide content and distribution activities.
History
Paramount International Networks developed from the international television operations created around MTV and its related channel brands. The first substantial international offices opened in London and Amsterdam in the late 1980s in connection with MTV Europe. This structure allowed the company to distribute a recognizable music-television brand across national borders while introducing localized advertising, scheduling and presentation. The business later expanded beyond MTV as Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Comedy Central and other brands were added to its international portfolio. During the 2000s, MTV Networks International increasingly used joint ventures and local partnerships to build market-specific services. In 2008, it worked with Endemol to launch Comedy Central Family in the Netherlands. In 2009, it partnered with Abu Dhabi-based Twofour54 to establish Comedy Central Studios Arabia, a production initiative focused on Arabic-language comedy and local adaptations. Comedy Central Israel followed in 2011, demonstrating the division's strategy of combining a global brand identity with country-specific language and programming. The organization also broadened its entertainment portfolio through partnerships with Endemol. In Poland, Viacom International Media Networks and Endemol launched Viacom Blink!, a channel aimed primarily at women aged 16 to 49. In Italy, the organization established Paramount Networks Italia and acquired a minority stake in Rainbow, the animation company known for internationally distributed children's properties. The investment linked Paramount's kids-and-family distribution network with a major European animation producer, although the stake was later exited. A major expansion in the United Kingdom occurred in 2014, when Viacom agreed to acquire Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited and the Channel 5 family of services from Northern & Shell. The transaction gave the international business a terrestrial free-to-air broadcasting presence and added locally commissioned programming to its portfolio. In Australia, the broader group also operated Network 10 and related services, creating another important free-to-air platform alongside its pay-television and cable brands. The international production strategy became more formal in 2015 and 2016 with the creation of Viacom International Studios in Miami. The studio was designed to produce local versions of established formats as well as original scripted and unscripted content for Paramount's international networks, digital services and distribution operations. Its early work included Nickelodeon programming such as I Am Frankie. After the ViacomCBS merger, the studio adopted the ViacomCBS International Studios name. It pursued international projects including The Turkish Detective, a series adaptation developed with Miramax, and continued production and partnership activity in Latin America and other markets. In January 2020, the international operation was organized around two broad brand groups—Entertainment and Youth Brands, and Kids and Family—and three regional hubs: the United Kingdom and Australia, EMEAA, and the Americas. The EMEAA structure covered a wide territory extending from Northern and Southern Europe through the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia. The Americas operation was based operationally in Miami, with additional offices in Latin America. These hubs coordinated channel feeds, local production, content sales, advertising and partner relationships. The 2022 rebranding of ViacomCBS as Paramount Global led to further Paramount branding across the international division and its production studio. Paramount Television International Studios emphasized premium scripted programming that reflected local cultures and experiences while supporting the growth of Paramount's international streaming and content-distribution activities. The portfolio continued to change as individual channels were consolidated, discontinued or transferred and as the company adjusted its mix of linear television, free-to-air broadcasting, production and streaming. The 2025 acquisition of Paramount by Skydance brought another management change. Pam Kaufman's combined international, consumer-products and experiences role ended, and the responsibilities were split between Kevin MacLellan, who took responsibility for international and global content distribution, and Josh Silverman, who assumed responsibility for global products and experiences. Paramount International Networks therefore remains an evolving operating platform whose central function is to commercialize Paramount brands and content outside the United States through regional broadcasting, production, distribution and partnerships.
- 2025
Leadership responsibilities were divided after the Skydance acquisition
[1]International and global content distribution became a separate leadership remit from global products and experiences.
- 2022
International operations adopted Paramount branding
[1]Following the ViacomCBS corporate rebrand, the international division and its studio moved to Paramount-branded identities.
- 2020
International operations reorganized into brand groups and regional hubs
[1]The division adopted two main brand groups and three regional operating hubs covering the UK and Australia, EMEAA and the Americas.
- 2015
Viacom International Studios established
[1]The Miami-based international production operation was created to develop local content and adaptations for Viacom's worldwide brands.
- 2014
Channel 5 acquisition agreement announced
[1]Viacom agreed to acquire Channel 5 and associated UK channels from Northern & Shell.
- 2011
Comedy Central Israel launched
[1]The division added a Hebrew-language Comedy Central service.
- 2009
Comedy Central Studios Arabia was formed
[1]A Twofour54 partnership created an Abu Dhabi production hub for Arabic comedy and localized Comedy Central content.
- 2008
Comedy Central Family launched in the Netherlands
[1]MTV Networks International and Endemol introduced a Dutch comedy channel under the Comedy Central brand.
- 1980
International MTV infrastructure began expanding in Europe
[1]London and Amsterdam became early international bases associated with the expansion of MTV Europe, providing the foundation for Paramount's later international networks organization.
Products and positioning
A global television and content-distribution platform that localizes Paramount's entertainment, youth, kids and family brands for international markets while developing regional programming and partnerships.
Music and youth television
MTV international networks
The MTV portfolio is the historical foundation of Paramount's international networks business. Regional and global feeds have carried music, entertainment, reality and youth-oriented programming, often with localized advertising, presenters, schedules and language versions. The network expanded from MTV Europe into a broad collection of services across Europe, Asia, Latin America and other territories.
Comedy television · 2008
Comedy Central international networks
Comedy Central's international services distribute comedy programming through localized channels and production partnerships. The portfolio has included country-specific operations such as Comedy Central Israel and Arabic-language development through Comedy Central Studios Arabia, alongside adaptations and imported programming from the wider Comedy Central library.
Kids and family television
Nickelodeon international networks
Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nicktoons and TeenNick services form the children's and family portion of Paramount's international channel portfolio. They combine globally recognized animated and live-action properties with local feeds, regional scheduling, language versions and market-specific commercial arrangements.
Music and entertainment television
BET and VH1 international services
BET and VH1 have been distributed internationally through country and regional feeds focused on music, popular culture, entertainment and lifestyle programming. A number of VH1 and BET services have been closed, renamed or consolidated as Paramount has adjusted its international channel strategy.
Free-to-air television
Channel 5
Channel 5 is a UK free-to-air broadcaster acquired by Viacom's international operations in the mid-2010s. The wider Channel 5 portfolio has included 5USA, 5Star, 5Select and 5Action. Its role gives Paramount an important terrestrial platform for locally commissioned programming as well as imported entertainment and drama.
Free-to-air television
Network 10
Network 10 is Paramount's Australian free-to-air television platform and is associated with related services including 10 Comedy, 10 Drama and 10 HD. It complements Paramount's pay-TV channels and international content-distribution operations in the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Television production · 2015
Paramount Television International Studios
The international studio operation develops and distributes scripted and unscripted content for Paramount's global networks, streaming services and partners. It originated as Viacom International Studios in Miami, later used ViacomCBS branding, and was subsequently aligned with Paramount. Its remit emphasizes local stories, adaptations, international co-productions and premium scripted projects.
Brand decisions
2025
Separation of international and global products responsibilitiesStrategyBackground
Following Paramount's acquisition by Skydance, the former combined leadership role covering international markets, consumer products and experiences was reorganized.
Action taken
International and global content distribution were assigned to Kevin MacLellan, while Josh Silverman took responsibility for global products and experiences.
Aftermath
The change created more specialized leadership remits for international distribution and for consumer products, live experiences, publishing, partnerships and e-commerce.
2022
Paramount rebrand of international operationsStrategyBackground
ViacomCBS adopted Paramount Global as its corporate identity, requiring its international businesses and production activities to be repositioned under Paramount branding.
Action taken
The international division and studio adopted Paramount-branded names and emphasized international content, acquisitions and streaming engagement.
Aftermath
Paramount's international network, production and distribution activities were presented as components of a unified global entertainment strategy.
2020
Regional and brand-group reorganizationStrategyBackground
The international division operated a large portfolio of brands and markets that required a more formal regional structure.
Action taken
The organization was arranged into Entertainment and Youth Brands and Kids and Family groups, supported by hubs for the UK and Australia, EMEAA and the Americas.
Aftermath
The structure clarified responsibility for regional channel operations, local production, distribution and market development.
2015
Creation of Viacom International StudiosStrategyBackground
Viacom wanted greater production capacity for localized programming across its international networks and digital platforms.
Action taken
It established a Miami-based international studio to produce local adaptations and original scripted and unscripted programs.
Aftermath
The studio became the basis for later ViacomCBS and Paramount international production operations and co-production initiatives.
2014
Acquisition of Channel 5M&ABackground
Viacom International Media Networks sought to strengthen its UK presence by acquiring Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited and its associated entertainment channels.
Action taken
The company announced a definitive agreement to purchase Channel 5 from Northern & Shell.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the international division from a pay-TV and channel-brand operation into a business with a major UK free-to-air broadcasting platform.
Announced purchase price. £450 million (2014 announced transaction)
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
ViacomCBS completes acquisition of Ananey Communications Group[2]
Reported:
ViacomCBS Networks International announced it had completed a full buyout of Israeli pay-TV operator and producer Ananey Communications Group; Ananey will be consolidated into ViacomCBS’s international business.
Sources4 sources
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