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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 Los Angeles, California. In 1989, it moved its headquarters to Hollywood.

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, 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).

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 has since reactivated the Key Video label.

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.

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. Also, CBS/Fox concluded most of the TriStar Pictures library from, while others have been released through RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video and HBO Home Video -- at the time, TriStar was a joint venture between Columbia, CBS and HBO.

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.

Reissues under different labels

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

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