CBS/Fox Video

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CBS/Fox Video was a home video company formed and established in 1982. The company was a merger between 20th Century Fox Video, formerly Magnetic Video Corporation, and CBS Video Enterprises.

The company was based in Farmington Hills, Michigan until 1985, when it moved to Livonia, Michigan. In 1989, it moved its headquarters to New York City, where it stayed until it became Fox Video in 1991.

Contents

[edit] Video Rental Library

Before CBS/Fox Video existed, 20th Century Fox Video released a select few titles for rental only, including Star Wars, Rocky, and Dr. No. While sale tapes were in big boxes that were later used by CBS/Fox in its early years, Video Rental Library tapes were packaged in black clamshell cases.

[edit] Film libraries released

CBS/Fox released the film library of 20th Century Fox, in addition to the film libraries of United Artists, ABC Pictures, Associated Film Distributors, some early Tri-Star Pictures films like The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Legend of Billie Jean, and Short Circuit (at the time, TriStar was a joint venture between CBS, Columbia Pictures, and HBO), CBS Theatrical Films (many of the titles had been previously issued through CBS Video's partnership with MGM), TV shows owned by CBS, and in 1984, CBS/Fox became the American licensee of BBC Video products. The United Artists films consisted mainly of older titles, such as films from the James Bond and Rocky series. Most other UA films were issued through MGM/UA Home Video beginning in 1984 (Though Fox would later release the post-1986 MGM library years later).

[edit] Speciality labels

CBS/Fox used speciality labels for children's videos, music videos, and sports videos. In addition to the main label, CBS/Fox maintained two other labels, Key Video ('art' and B movies) and Playhouse Video (children's films and programs). These became inactive by 1990, though 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment reactivated the Key Video label during its Fox Video era.

[edit] 1990 reorganization

In 1990, a reorganization of the company was made, with most mainstream Fox titles being turned over to the new Fox Video that appeared in 1991. However, CBS/Fox remained active for distribution of BBC Video product and other non-Fox products.

[edit] The end of CBS/Fox Video

In 1998, Fox Entertainment Group acquired CBS/Fox Video and the rest of CBS/Fox's non-shopping (film and TV) assets, and renamed CBS/Fox Video to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

The company ceased full operations in 1998, with the release of Our Friend, Martin. A short time later, CBS' merger with Viacom was finalized, and the CBS/Fox partnership ceased existence.

[edit] Reissues under different labels

Many CBS/Fox titles are out of print, or have been reissued under different labels:

[edit] External links