Dick Clark Productions facts for kids

Dick Clark Productions, LLC (often called DCP) is an American company that makes TV shows. It was started by the famous radio and TV host Dick Clark.

DCP is best known for producing many popular award shows and music programs. These include the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the American Music Awards. They also produce Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, which is a big New Year's Eve celebration. Another show they make is So You Think You Can Dance.

Some of Dick Clark's early shows, like American Bandstand and TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes, were hosted by him. The company has changed owners several times over the years. In 2023, it became part of a joint company owned by Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge Industries.

The Story of Dick Clark Productions

How It All Started

The idea for Dick Clark Productions began in the late 1950s with Dick Clark's radio show. The name "dick clark productions" (written in lowercase) started around 1964. Dick Clark's public relations manager suggested he name his company after himself. This was so he would be more visible after his show American Bandstand moved to Hollywood.

Clark later rented a building in Hollywood and put up a simple sign that said "dick clark productions." He then started making his own shows.

Growing the Company

In the 1970s, DCP had a part of the company called Dick Clark Teleshows. This group produced the very first American Music Awards. They also made a special show called 200 Years of American Music.

Between the 1970s and 1980s, DCP also had a company for making movies. It was called Dick Clark Cinema Productions. This part of the company made TV movies and feature films.

In 1985, DCP started a home video division called Dick Clark Video. This division handled videocassettes of their shows, like American Bandstand. In 1987, Dick Clark Productions signed a five-year agreement to produce the Golden Globe Awards telecasts.

Changes in Ownership

Dick Clark Productions became a public company in 1986. This meant people could buy shares of the company. However, it became a private company again in 2002.

In 2007, the company was sold to a group led by Daniel Snyder for $175 million. Daniel Snyder was the owner of the Washington Redskins football team. After Dick Clark passed away in 2012, Snyder said he was proud to have bought the company.

In September 2012, Dick Clark Productions was sold again for about $350 million. This time, it was bought by a group that included Guggenheim Partners and Mandalay Entertainment.

New Partnerships and Growth

In 2013, DCP teamed up with an Israeli TV company called Keshet. They created a new company called Keshet DCP. Their goal was to create American versions of popular international TV shows. Their first show together was an American version of the talent show Rising Star.

In 2014, DCP started producing the Billboard Music Awards. This is an awards show presented by Billboard magazine, which was also owned by Guggenheim at the time.

Big Changes and New Owners

In 2015, Guggenheim Partners decided to separate its media companies, including Dick Clark Productions. These companies were then led by Todd Boehly, a former president of Guggenheim. His company, Eldridge Industries, took control.

In 2016, a Chinese company called Wanda Group wanted to buy Dick Clark Productions for $1 billion. However, the deal did not go through in 2017 due to some issues.

In 2018, DCP joined with Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter to form a larger company called Valence Media. In 2020, Valence Media changed its name to MRC. Dick Clark Productions then became part of MRC's live and alternative shows division.

For a short time in 2021, the name "Dick Clark Productions" was not used. All its shows were produced under the MRC Live & Alternative name. However, in August 2022, the companies decided to split their assets. Eldridge Industries got back the live and alternative division and brought back the Dick Clark Productions name.

In January 2023, DCP was bought by a joint company called Penske Media Eldridge. This company is owned by Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge Industries. This deal helped expand their existing relationship, as Penske Media already runs Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter.

On June 12, 2023, DCP officially took over the Golden Globe Awards. This was part of a plan to make the Golden Globes a for-profit event.