Rights
The feature film was a co-production between MGM and United Artists; the latter distributor owned worldwide theatrical distribution rights. Both companies also shared the film's copyright.
In 1980, UA's then-parent, Transamerica Corporation, put the studio up for sale following the disastrous release of Heaven's Gate, which had been a major financial drain and public relations embarrassment. The next year, MGM purchased UA, and consequently gained UA's share of Network. UA's international operations were merged into MGM's share of Cinema International Corporation (the joint venture MGM was a partner since 1974 with Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures), eventually becoming United International Pictures. The film was released to MGM/CBS Home Video in the United States as part of the original 24-title VHS/Betamax package in October 1980. Home video rights for the film outside the U.S. went to Warner Home Video, as UA distributed the film because it was a co-production.
Then, in 1986, media mogul Ted Turner purchased MGM/UA. Without any financial backers, Turner soon fell into debt and sold back most of MGM, but kept the library for his own company, Turner Entertainment. This included the US distribution rights to Network, but international distribution remained with MGM (with theatrical distribution by UIP), which retained UA's library from 1952 on. Home video rights outside the U.S. were still with WHV due to their deal with UA. Turner soon made a deal with MGM's video division for home distribution of most of Turner's library, allowing MGM to retain US video rights to Network for 13 more years. Home video rights to the MGM and UA titles were moved to Warner Home Video in 1990, using the MGM/UA Home Video label under license.
In 1996, Turner merged with Time Warner. Consequently, Warner Bros. assumed television and theatrical distribution rights to the Turner library, with video rights being added in 1999. The post-1952 UA library and the post-4/1986 MGM were assumed by themselves through MGM Home Entertainment after their worldwide deal with Warner Home Video expired in 2000.
Both Turner and MGM now share the film's copyright. As of 2011, Warner Bros./Turner owns the US and worldwide television distribution rights to Network, while international distribution rights remain with MGM. MGM has assigned international video distribution rights to 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, while international theatrical rights are co-held by Columbia Pictures (previously held by 20th Century Fox and UIP).
Read more about this topic: Network (film)
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