MTM Enterprises

MTM Enterprises was an American independent television production company established in 1969 by actor Mary Tyler Moore and television executive Grant Tinker. Its name was derived from Moore's initials. The company was created primarily to produce The Mary Tyler Moore Show for CBS, but it soon developed into one of the most influential American television producers of the 1970s and 1980s. MTM entered the industry during a period when television production was becoming more closely associated with creative talent and independent production entities. Moore's ownership of a production company was particularly notable because relatively few women in the American television business held comparable control over a major production operation at the time. The company recruited writers and producers including James L. Brooks and Allan Burns, whose work helped establish the sophisticated, character-driven sitcom style associated with MTM. The Mary Tyler Moore Show became the company's defining early success and gave MTM a platform for developing additional series and production relationships. During the 1970s and 1980s, MTM produced or distributed a broad portfolio of scripted television, including sitcoms, dramas, specials, and later syndicated programming. Its best-known programs included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, WKRP in Cincinnati, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Remington Steele, Newhart, and The White Shadow. The company's programming was often associated with ensemble casts, workplace settings, social themes, and writing that combined comedy with more serious dramatic material. Hill Street Blues in particular became an important example of the serialized, ensemble-oriented American television drama that gained prominence in the 1980s. MTM's business also expanded beyond network production. In 1976, it worked with Metromedia Producers Corporation on a variety program intended for first-run syndication, and it created a syndicated division under Bud Rifkin. MTM later formed MTM Television Distribution in 1986 to handle off-network syndication and other distribution activities. The company also operated MTM Records, a label distributed by Capitol Records, from 1984 to 1988. The company's ownership and management changed repeatedly. Grant Tinker left his remaining MTM interests after becoming chairman of NBC in 1981, and Mary Tyler Moore and Arthur Price acquired those shares. MTM was sold to the British broadcaster and independent television company TVS Entertainment in 1988. The acquisition did not produce the anticipated revival of MTM's performance. After TVS lost its ITV franchise, International Family Entertainment acquired MTM in a transaction completed in February 1993. International Family Entertainment was subsequently acquired by News Corporation in 1997, and MTM's library assets were transferred into the 20th Century Fox television organization. MTM's production operations ended by 1998, although some programs continued to be handled by successor companies. Following The Walt Disney Company's 2019 acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets, the principal MTM catalog became part of Disney's television library and has been administered through Disney's successor distribution and production entities, including 20th Television. MTM therefore no longer operates as an independent production company, but its programs remain part of the historical catalog of American television.

MTM Enterprises was formed in 1969 by Mary Tyler Moore and Grant Tinker to produce The Mary Tyler Moore Show for CBS. The company's creation reflected the growing importance of independent production companies in American television and gave Moore an unusual degree of ownership and creative influence. The company's initials came from Moore's name. Tinker, who was also working in television management, ultimately left his position at 20th Century Fox Television in 1971 because of conflicts involving the demands of MTM and his other employment. The Mary Tyler Moore Show established MTM's reputation and helped create a production environment associated with strong writing, character development, and social observation. The company recruited a group of important television writers and producers, including James L. Brooks and Allan Burns. Its later programming broadened from sitcoms into dramas and specials. Among the company's notable series were The Bob Newhart Show, WKRP in Cincinnati, Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, Remington Steele, Newhart, and The White Shadow. MTM's output helped define several influential forms of American television, particularly the sophisticated ensemble sitcom and the serialized ensemble drama. For much of its history, MTM's programs were broadcast by CBS, and MTM shared ownership of the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California, where many of its shows were filmed or videotaped. The company also pursued distribution. In 1976, it partnered with Metromedia Producers Corporation on a variety program designed for first-run syndication, an important expansion beyond the conventional network model. MTM later launched MTM Television Distribution in 1986 to manage off-network syndication and related rights. It maintained relationships with syndicator Jim Victory for sales of programs including Hill Street Blues and WKRP in Cincinnati. MTM also operated MTM Records, distributed by Capitol Records, between 1984 and 1988. Ownership shifted in the 1980s. Grant Tinker left MTM after becoming chairman of NBC in 1981. Mary Tyler Moore and Arthur Price acquired his remaining shares, and Price subsequently became president. Tinker later expressed regret about leaving, believing that the company lost some of its strength after the change in control. In 1988, MTM was sold to TVS Entertainment, a British broadcaster and independent television company, for a reported $320 million. The acquisition did not restore MTM's performance, and TVS later sought a buyer at a substantially lower valuation. The next sale became contentious. International Family Entertainment made an offer after TVS lost its ITV franchise, while other potential buyers, including TCW Capital, considered the company. Shareholder Julian Tregar opposed an early offer on technical and valuation grounds. International Family Entertainment increased its bid, and its offer of £56.5 million was accepted in January 1993, with completion on February 1, 1993. In 1995, former CBS executive Michael Ogiens joined MTM as president, accompanied by plans to rebuild the company as an independent production operation. Josh Kane joined as an East Coast vice president in 1996. The syndication unit later reduced staff after The Cape was canceled. After International Family Entertainment was sold to News Corporation in 1997, MTM's library assets moved into the Fox television organization. MTM's last surviving production relationships included The Pretender and Good News, although the latter was among the final programs associated with the company before operations ended. By 1998, MTM had ceased operating as an independent production company. Its catalog later passed to Disney through the 2019 acquisition of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets. Disney, through its television businesses including 20th Television, now controls the principal library of MTM programs, while the historical MTM corporate operation is defunct.

• 2019

  Disney becomes library owner

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets brings the principal MTM program catalog into its ownership.

• 1998

  MTM ceases independent operations

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  The company is no longer operating as an independent production entity.

• 1997

  MTM library transfers to Fox

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Following News Corporation's acquisition of International Family Entertainment, MTM library assets move to the Fox television organization.

• 1993

  International Family Entertainment acquisition closes

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  International Family Entertainment completes its £56.5 million acquisition of MTM on February 1.

• 1988

  TVS Entertainment purchases MTM

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  TVS acquires MTM in a reported $320 million transaction.

• 1986

  MTM Television Distribution launches

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  The company establishes a dedicated arm for off-network syndication and television distribution.

• 1984

  MTM Records operates

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  MTM's record label, distributed by Capitol Records, operates during the company's broader expansion into recorded music.

• 1981

  Grant Tinker exits ownership

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  After becoming NBC chairman, Tinker sells his remaining MTM shares to Mary Tyler Moore and Arthur Price.

• 1976

  Syndication division begins

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  MTM hires Bud Rifkin and partners with Metromedia Producers Corporation on a first-run syndicated variety program.

• 1969

  MTM Enterprises is founded

  [1]MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org

  Mary Tyler Moore and Grant Tinker establish the company to produce The Mary Tyler Moore Show for CBS.

A creator-led independent television studio known for high-quality sitcoms, ensemble dramas, distinctive writing, and programming that addressed workplace and social themes.

• Television sitcom · 1970

  The Mary Tyler Moore Show

  MTM's founding production, centered on Mary Richards, a television news producer in Minneapolis. The series established the company's creative reputation and became the central platform from which MTM expanded into additional television production.

• Television sitcom · 1972

  The Bob Newhart Show

  A major MTM sitcom starring Bob Newhart as a Chicago psychologist. It formed part of the company's successful 1970s comedy portfolio and reinforced MTM's association with ensemble casts and workplace-centered humor.

• Television sitcom · 1978

  WKRP in Cincinnati

  An ensemble comedy set at a struggling Cincinnati radio station. The series became one of MTM's notable workplace programs and later generated off-network syndication activity for the company's distribution operation.

• Television police drama · 1981

  Hill Street Blues

  A serialized ensemble police drama recognized for its layered characters, interwoven storylines, and realistic depiction of an urban precinct. It was among MTM's most important dramatic productions and a key title in its syndication catalog.

• Television medical drama · 1982

  St. Elsewhere

  An ensemble hospital drama produced during MTM's expansion into ambitious one-hour programming. The series combined medical stories with continuing character arcs and helped strengthen the company's standing in serious television drama.

• Television mystery comedy-drama · 1982

  Remington Steele

  A mystery-oriented comedy-drama about a private investigation agency whose female owner creates a fictional male partner identity. It was one of MTM's prominent 1980s series and part of the company's network television output.

• Television sitcom · 1982

  Newhart

  A later MTM comedy starring Bob Newhart as a Vermont innkeeper and author. The show continued MTM's successful relationship with Newhart and became one of the company's recognizable sitcom properties.

• Record label · 1984

  MTM Records

  A short-lived music subsidiary operated by MTM and distributed by Capitol Records. The label existed from 1984 through 1988 as the company experimented with activities beyond television production.

• 2019

  Transfer the MTM catalog to Disney ownershipM&A

  Background

  MTM's program library had previously moved through the Fox television organization following News Corporation's acquisition of International Family Entertainment.

  Action taken

  The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox's entertainment assets brought the principal MTM program catalog into Disney's ownership.

  Aftermath

  The catalog is administered within Disney's television library businesses, including 20th Television, while the original MTM company remains defunct.

  Source

• 1995

  Attempt to restore MTM as an independent production companyStrategy

  Background

  MTM had performed poorly after the TVS acquisition and was no longer operating with the influence it had enjoyed during its earlier period.

  Action taken

  Former CBS executive Michael Ogiens joined as president, with the stated aim of rebuilding MTM's independent production profile. Josh Kane joined the East Coast operation the following year.

  Aftermath

  The revival effort did not prevent the later contraction of the syndication unit and the end of MTM's independent operations.

  Source

• 1993

  Accept International Family Entertainment's acquisition offerM&A

  Background

  After TVS lost its ITV broadcasting franchise, MTM was placed on the market. Several parties considered bids, and shareholder Julian Tregar opposed an earlier offer on technical and valuation grounds.

  Action taken

  International Family Entertainment increased its offer to £56.5 million, which shareholders accepted; the transaction took effect on February 1, 1993.

  Aftermath

  MTM remained within International Family Entertainment until that company was acquired by News Corporation in 1997, after which MTM's library assets moved into the Fox television organization.

  Acquisition offer. £56.5 million (1993)

  Source

• 1988

  Sell MTM to TVS EntertainmentM&A

  Background

  MTM pursued expansion while operating as a prominent independent television producer, and TVS sought to broaden its production assets.

  Action taken

  MTM was sold to TVS Entertainment in a reported transaction valued at $320 million.

  Aftermath

  MTM performed poorly under TVS ownership, which later sought another buyer after TVS lost its ITV franchise.

  Reported acquisition value. $320 million (1988)

  Source

• 1986

  Create an in-house television distribution armStrategy

  Background

  MTM's growing catalog created demand for a dedicated mechanism to sell and license programs after their original network runs.

  Action taken

  MTM launched MTM Television Distribution and used it to handle off-network syndication, including sales of programs such as Hill Street Blues and WKRP in Cincinnati.

  Aftermath

  The distribution unit continued operating during the company's late-1980s expansion, but later experienced layoffs after the cancellation of The Cape.

  Source

1. 1MTM Enterprisesen.wikipedia.org
2. 2MTM Enterprises recordssearch.library.wisc.edu