CBS Productions: A Brief History and Guide

CBS Productions has been a leading force in the entertainment industry for nearly a century. It was founded in 1927 by William S. Paley, who would go on to shape the company into a media giant.

The company's early years were marked by a focus on radio broadcasting, with CBS Radio launching in 1929. This was a pivotal moment for the company, as it allowed CBS to reach a wider audience and establish itself as a major player in the industry.

CBS Productions' first television studio was established in 1950, and it quickly became a hub for creative talent. The company produced some of the most iconic TV shows of the era, including "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners".

Related reading: Radio Africa Group

The CBS Productions logos have a rich history, with various versions used over the years. The 2nd logo, used from 1952 to 1985 and 1987-1988, features the CBS Eyemark logo below in-credit text on a blue background.

The text in this logo can vary depending on the series, reading "PRODUCED BY THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK", "THIS HAS BEEN A CBS TELEVISION NETWORK PRODUCTION", "(PRODUCED) IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK", or "A CBS TELEVISION NETWORK PRESENTATION".

This logo was used on many key shows, including The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, and Rawhide. It's interesting to note that this logo was also used on some episodes of My Three Sons, with the logo sometimes appearing in a different font.

The Eyemark logo itself can appear in either black or white, and was sometimes omitted altogether. The background of the logo also changed over time, with a gray background used from 1962-1965 and a blue background used from 1963-1975.

Here are some specific variations of the 2nd logo:

This logo was used on many shows, including The Wild Wild West, where it appeared in grayscale on season 1, and in blue on subsequent seasons. The logo was also used on Dr. Seuss TV specials from 1971-1975, where it appeared as just text.

Copyright Information is an important aspect of CBS Productions shows. You'll often see copyright stamps at the end of episodes, and it's worth understanding what they mean.

The copyright stamps on CBS Productions shows have changed over the years, but they all follow a similar format. From 1952 to 1974, the stamp read: "1952-1974: [YEAR] Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved."

CBS Productions has undergone some name changes, which is reflected in the copyright stamps. From 1974 to 1998, the stamp changed to: "1974-1998: [YEAR] CBS Inc. All Rights Reserved."

In 1997, another change occurred, with the stamp becoming: "1997-2003: [YEAR] CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved."

If you're looking for a more recent copyright stamp, you can expect to see: "2003-2019: [YEAR] CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved."

On a similar theme: Blue Chip Stamp Company

The CBS Productions logo has undergone several transformations over the years. One notable era is the CBS Productions (second era) logo, which features a pair of ghostly gray hands holding up a gray CBS eye logo against a textured yellow or gold CBS Eyemark background.

See what others are reading: New Era Cap Company

This logo was seen on various shows, including seasons 3 and 4 of Walker, Texas Ranger and the first 2 seasons of Caroline in the City.

The CBS Productions (second era) logo was based on the CBS 1995-96 on-air identity, "You're on CBS", and was created using live-action technique. It's worth noting that this logo has been plastered by other logos in some current prints of these shows.

A better-known version of the CBS Productions (second era) logo debuted in 1999, omitting the light and featuring a lighter shade of reddish-brown color. This version has five widescreen versions, and can be seen on season 1 of The Amazing Race above the 1985 Touchstone Television logo.

You might like: Card Declines but Shows Charge

The 2nd In-Credit Logo (1952–1985, 1987–1988) was a staple of CBS Productions for over three decades. It featured the CBS Eyemark logo below the in-credit text on a blue background.

Depending on the series, the text could read "PRODUCED BY THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK", "THIS HAS BEEN A CBS TELEVISION NETWORK PRODUCTION", "(PRODUCED) IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK", or "A CBS TELEVISION NETWORK PRESENTATION". Sometimes the Eyemark is omitted.

Check this out: Fnbo Scam Text

The logo's design varied slightly over the years, with the text appearing on a gray background with the N.A.B. "Seal of Good Practice" or "Television Code" logo from 1962-1965. This was a notable change from the previous design.

The logo was also used on various TV shows, including The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, Rawhide, Gunsmoke, Get Smart, Gilligan's Island, the original Hawaii Five-O, and Have Gun, Will Travel, among others. Some episodes of My Three Sons featured this logo in a different font.

Here are some notable variations of the 2nd In-Credit Logo:

The 2nd In-Credit Logo was last used on the 1985 TV movie Brotherly Love, marking the end of an era for CBS Productions.

The second era of CBS Productions is a fascinating period in the company's history. This era is marked by a distinctive logo that features a pair of ghostly gray hands holding up a gray CBS eye logo.

The logo was based on the CBS 1995-96 on-air identity, "You're on CBS". It's a live-action logo, which is a departure from the more common animation techniques used in logo design.

This logo was seen on several popular shows, including seasons 3 and 4 of Walker, Texas Ranger and the first 2 seasons of Caroline in the City. It's a testament to the logo's versatility and enduring appeal.

The logo is also notable for its use of a Futura font and a CBS Eyemark below the hands. This attention to detail is a hallmark of good design, and it helps to make the logo stand out.

Here are some of the shows that featured this logo:

However, it's worth noting that this logo has been largely replaced by more recent logos on some shows, such as Early Edition.