COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 512120

Motion Picture and Video Distribution (pt)

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

24companies1892–2001founding years20still active4no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedGeneral Electric CompanyFoundedGeneral Electric Company
1892
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedUniversal Studios, Inc.FoundedUniversal Studios, Inc.
1912
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedZondervan Corporation
1931
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedPPB Group BerhadFoundedPPB Group Berhad
1948
FoundedVillage Roadshow Ltd.FoundedVillage Roadshow Ltd.
1954
FoundedChartHouse International Learning Corporation
1955
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedNew Line Cinema, Inc.FoundedNew Line Cinema, Inc.
1967
FoundedLucasfilm Ltd.FoundedLucasfilm Ltd.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedCanWest Global Communications Corporation
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedCrown Media Holdings, Inc.FoundedCrown Media Holdings, Inc.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
FoundedAOL Time Warner Inc.
2001
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

GoodTimes Entertainment Ltd. →
Active
Operating out of New York, GoodTimes Entertainment Ltd.
GoodTimes Entertainment Ltd. →
Active
Operating out of New York, GoodTimes Entertainment Ltd.
General Electric Company →
Active · founded 1892
The history of General Electric Company is a significant part of the history of technology in the United States.
General Electric Company →
Active · founded 1892
The history of General Electric Company is a significant part of the history of technology in the United States.
Universal Studios, Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Universal Studios, Inc.
Universal Studios, Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Universal Studios, Inc.
Zondervan Corporation →
Active · founded 1931
Zondervan Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers, is one of the largest Christian…
Zondervan Corporation →
Active · founded 1931
Zondervan Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers, is one of the largest Christian…
PPB Group Berhad →
Active · founded 1948 · Malaysia
One of Malaysia's largest companies, and one of the largest conglomerates in the ASEAN market region, PPB Group Berhad…
PPB Group Berhad →
Active · founded 1948 · Malaysia
One of Malaysia's largest companies, and one of the largest conglomerates in the ASEAN market region, PPB Group Berhad…
Village Roadshow Ltd. →
Active · founded 1954 · Australia
Village Roadshow Ltd.
Village Roadshow Ltd. →
Active · founded 1954 · Australia
Village Roadshow Ltd.
ChartHouse International Learning Corporation →
Active · founded 1955
ChartHouse International Learning Corporation's series of Fish!
ChartHouse International Learning Corporation →
Active · founded 1955
ChartHouse International Learning Corporation's series of Fish!
New Line Cinema, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
New Line Cinema, Inc.
New Line Cinema, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
New Line Cinema, Inc.
Lucasfilm Ltd. →
Active · founded 1971
The 16th largest motion picture producer in the United States, ranked by revenues, Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd. →
Active · founded 1971
The 16th largest motion picture producer in the United States, ranked by revenues, Lucasfilm Ltd.
CanWest Global Communications Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1973 · Canada
CanWest Global Communications Corporation is Canada's largest private sector television broadcaster.
CanWest Global Communications Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1973 · Canada
CanWest Global Communications Corporation is Canada's largest private sector television broadcaster.
Crown Media Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Crown Media Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
AOL Time Warner Inc. →
Defunct · founded 2001
Global media powerhouse AOL Time Warner Inc.
AOL Time Warner Inc. →
Defunct · founded 2001
Global media powerhouse AOL Time Warner Inc.
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