Lorimar-Telepictures facts for kids

Lorimar-Telepictures was a big entertainment company that started on April 21, 1986. It was formed when two companies, Lorimar and Telepictures, joined together. This new company made TV shows and movies. They also helped distribute shows to different TV stations (this is called syndication). Plus, they released movies and shows for home video and even owned some TV stations.

History of Lorimar-Telepictures

The idea to merge Lorimar and Telepictures was first announced on October 7, 1985. The merger was officially finished on April 21, 1986. Lee Rich, who was one of the people who started Lorimar, sold his shares and left the company in 1986.

Later, on January 11, 1989, another big company called Warner Communications bought Lorimar-Telepictures. This happened after Warner Communications stopped a hostile takeover attempt of the company. A hostile takeover is when one company tries to buy another company even if the second company doesn't want to be bought.

Popular Shows from Lorimar-Telepictures

Note: Most of the TV shows listed here are now owned and distributed by Warner Bros. Television. There are only a few exceptions.

• The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime
• ALF (1986–1989)
• Alvin and the Chipmunks (1986–1989)
• Animalympics
• Blood & Orchids
• Chiller
• The Comic Strip
• Dallas (1986–1989)
• A Death in California
• Falcon Crest (1986–1989)
• Full House (1987–1989)
• Fun House
• Ghost of a Chance
• Gumby (1986-1989)
• Hard Choices (a movie for theaters)
• Here's Lucy
• The Hogan Family (1986–1989)
• Hunter (1986–1989)
• It's A Living (1986-1989)
• Jack Frost
• Jake's Journey (1988-1989 pilots for CBS)
• Knots Landing (1986–1989)
• Legendary Ladies of Rock & Roll
• Max Headroom
• Love Connection (1986-1989)
• Made in Heaven
• Mama's Family
• "Master Harold"...and the Boys
• Our House
• The People's Court
• Perfect Match
• Perfect Strangers (1986–1989)
• Polyester
• Mayberry R.F.D.
• Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
• Second Serve
• Shattered Innocence
• SilverHawks
• Summer Girl
• Superior Court
• ThunderCats
• The Waltons

Broadcasting TV Stations

In the middle of the 1980s, Lorimar-Telepictures also decided to get into the business of owning TV stations. They bought six different television stations. However, this part of their business did not do very well. Because of this, they ended up selling all of these stations by 1991.