News. Paramount parks to be owned by CBS

I'm just thankful that Fairly Odd Coaster doesn't need to remain in our lexicon....

just wow...

wow...

Well, Paramount was looking to re-structure, and was thinking about unloading the parks. Or so we've heard.

But more than likely, CBS will keep the parks and all of the themeing and Paramount stuff will remain. Even if another company bought the parks, I wouldn't expect the Licensing to go.

Is there any Paramount theme to the Paramount parks? I thought it was all Nickelodeon now... :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Who remembers when Nickelodeon played silent movies...AND NOTHING ELSE!

Puablo, themed rides don't need a single special effect or a certain name to be "themed" and for being a seasonal themed amusement park with a fraction of Universal's attendance, I think they're doing quite well. Paramount isn't Universal anyways and they don't have that budget to work with. They're in a class of their own though that includes multiple roller coasters, flat rides, and kiddie rides as well *mostly* fitting into themed areas with a growing number of themed attractions.

The only fitting comparison they could have is between them and other seasonal parks. Last time I checked, none of the theming at those parks were "Universal" quality either. Holiday World is a "theme park" and I don't see Raven and Legend blinged out with all these Universal bells and whistles. The "Paramount isn't as good as Universal" argument is always pretty lame. Seasonal regional park vs. year-round destination.

+Danny

The intention to spilt the Viacom companies into two entities was announced months ago--long before the announcement of "Nick Universe" at PKI, so the idea that "Fairly Odd Coaster" (or any other of the Nick or Paramount theming) will suddenly be abandoned probably isn't the case.

Also, there will still be "Paramount" branded businesses (namely Paramount Television Production) under the CBS company, so that doesn't necessarily mean the parks' names will have to change.

Keep in mind, it's to everyone's advantage--Viacom & CBS--to keep the media synergy (well, such as it is at Paramount Parks) intact. While Viacom & CBS will be "separate" companies, I'm sure they'll maintain a close strategic relationship. (Kind of like after Tricon--now called Yum Restaurants--split off from PepsiCo.)

Over the course of Paramount/Viacom's ownership, the parks have been passed around quite a bit from business unit to business unit...from Paramount Studios, to Blockbuster, to MTV Networks. By and large, with each reorganization there was very little impact on the guest experience.

And, of course, let's remember the real reasons for the split:

1) To boost the sagging stock price by moving the slower growth (but profitable) companies off on their own as an "income" stock; and

2) Create a way so that Sumner Redstone didn't have to choose a successor between Freston & Moonves. (Ok, I'm being a bit facetious on that one...)

Joel *** Edited 10/6/2005 2:59:15 PM UTC by JZarley***

RideMan said:
Is there any Paramount theme to the Paramount parks? I thought it was all Nickelodeon now... :)

Seriously, though, didn't Viacom internally transfer the parks from Paramount to Nickelodeon a year or two ago?

It went from paramount to Blockbuster to something else and then to Nickelodeoon, lol.

So how long before CDB shows start featuring the parks?

How about an Amazing Race stunt at PKI. Perhaps the CSI team will investigate a murder at PGA? 60 Minutes interviews the designer of the new Italian Job ride at Carowinds? The King of Queens cast vacations in Toronto -- hilarity insures when Dad gets lost at Canada's Wonderland!

The possibilities are endless ;)

*** Edited 10/6/2005 5:43:17 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

Being picked up by CBS eh? I guess we'll be seeing CSI:Kings Island as a mid-season replacement on the TV schedule soon? ;)

Moosh beat me to the punch but he came from the other diection. ;)

*** Edited 10/6/2005 5:50:49 PM UTC by boblogone***

So since I see no real definite answer here (or i just missed it) what will become of the names of the parks? Just drop the paramount or what?

Maybe CBS could create two new series: one about a groovy family who forms a rock band and gets their mom to sign on as a singer. They could tour in a converted school but, and get hired to perform at Kings Island.

The other series would be about this widower with three sons who marries a widow with three daughters. And the husband would be an architect who gets hired to design a major new addition to Kings Island. So the whole family, including their housekeeper gets to go to the park. Hilarity ensues when the architectural plans accidentally get switched with a poster bought by one of the kids.

Who could they get to play the parts?

pyro - check the news page.