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The Cannell Studios
TypePrivate
IndustryTelevision production
Founded1976; 50 years ago (1976) (production banner)
1979; 47 years ago (1979) (true independent operation)
FounderStephen J. Cannell
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
OwnerNew World Entertainment (1995-1997)
News Corporation (1997-1998)

The Cannell Studios (formerly Stephen J. Cannell Productions and Cannell Entertainment) is an independent television production company first formed in 1976 by Stephen J. Cannell after the success of The Rockford Files and Baretta and later reformed as an independent production company in 1979 after he left Universal.

The company is notable for The Greatest American Hero, The A-Team, Hunter and Silk Stalkings.

History

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Origins

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Stephen J. Cannell was a prominent writer who was employed at Universal Television for nearly a decade. While at Universal, he created shows such as The Rockford Files and Baretta, both of which were massive moneymakers for the networks ABC and NBC.[1][2][3]

While still at Universal, he created Baa Baa Black Sheep, Richie Brockelman, Private Eye, The Duke and Stone.[1][2][3]

Early years as independent company

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In 1979, Stephen J. Cannell left Universal and founded an independent production company of his own, initially based at Paramount Studios, with the capital of American attroney Ken Ziffren. Furthermore, Paramount Television initially held international distribution rights to the new company's early shows.[1][2]

The company's first show was Tenspeed and Brown Shoe on ABC, which was a ratings flop,[4] followed by The Greatest American Hero, which gained a minor success, was also on ABC, and lasted three seasons.[3][5] Other Universal Television employees joined Cannell as well, including writers Juanita Bartlett and Frank Lupo, and supervising producer Jo Swerling Jr., as well as college intern Patrick Hasburgh, thus growing the employment base of the new company.[6][7] In 1982, he followed The Greatest American Hero with The Quest, which was created by Juanita Bartlett, but it also lasted only one season.[8]

It was when The Greatest American Hero started production, that Cannell had started its iconic signature production logo, created by Linda Stewart of Cannell's public relations department, partially as an attempt to counter Cannell's developing perception in the press as a "TV mogul", which he was uncomfortable with. The logo consists of Stephen J. Cannell typing on a typewriter using his IBM Selectric, throws his paper and formed a "C".[9]

Breakout success

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In 1983, the company's true turning point was The A-Team, which was co-produced with Universal Television under a contractual obligation fulfilled by the company after his exit from Universal in 1979 and aired on NBC for five seasons, from 1983 to 1987, instantly turning Cannell into a powerhouse and regaining NBC's ratings dominance since its ratings slump in the late 1970s.[10]

Also in 1983, Cannell sold the syndication rights of the cancelled ABC series The Greatest American Hero to Syndivision, which distributed the show through LBS Communications,[11] until Syndivision was sold to Lorimar Productions in 1985.[12][13] The company's success allowed Cannell to move his operations to larger facilities in Hollywood Boulevard in 1983.[3]

The success followed with Hardcastle and McCormick, another blockbuster sensation that aired on ABC for three seasons, from 1983 to 1986.[14] He followed it up with The Rousters, airing on NBC in 1983, but did not fare well,[15] and it was followed by another NBC series Riptide, which lasted three seasons from 1984 to 1986, but had a modest following.[16] The company's biggest success was Hunter, which starred Fred Dryer, which was another blockbuster success and aired from 1984 to 1991, becoming Cannell's longest-running TV series.[17]

In September 1985, Cannell sold North American syndication rights to Hardcastle and McCormick and Riptide to Columbia Pictures Television, outbidding Paramount Television and 20th Century Fox Television.[18]

Expansion

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In 1986, the company expanded when Cannell, along with Tri-Star Pictures and Witt/Thomas Productions, co-founded a television syndication firm called TeleVentures.[19][20] In late 1988, Witt/Thomas Productions backed out of the TeleVentures venture and entered a distribution deal with Walt Disney Television.[21]

On July 11, 1990, both Tri-Star and Cannell dissolved the TeleVentures joint venture, and Cannell formed Cannell Distribution Co.[22]

Also in 1986, with the favorable exchange rate between the US and Canadian dollars being a win/win for US producers, Cannell and his company decided to shoot his new series Stingray (1985–1987) in Toronto. However, so many producers were shooting in Toronto that no crews were available to staff any additional productions. Consequently, Cannell shot the first seven episodes of Stingray's second season in Calgary with the remaining eight episodes being shot in Vancouver. His first series to entirely be shot in Vancouver was 21 Jump Street (1987–1991), the highest-rated show of the new Fox network's first season.[23][24]

The company ended up operating an office in Vancouver with its new facilities in 1988 under North Shore Studios, used to film and tape programming.[25] In 1989, the company ended up expanding its footprint by acquiring television stations under Cannell Communications, it owned WHNS-TV in 1989,[26] WUAB in 1990[27] and KPDX in 1992.[28][29] Cannell then sold WHNS-TV and KPDX to First Media Television in 1994,[30] and then leased WUAB to Malrite Communications in 1994,[31][32] before being sold to Raycom Media in 2000 due to strict FCC regulation.[33]

In 1990, the company made its foray into first-run syndication by moving 21 Jump Street from Fox to first-run syndication in association with LBS Communications.[34] The company then moved to direct syndication with Street Justice in 1991,[35] followed by Renegade in 1992, which was an instant syndicated success.[36] Also in 1991, Cannell decided to produce his next big show for CBS and USA Network, Silk Stalkings, which ended up surpassing Hunter as Cannell's longest-running show.[37] Around that year, Cannell teamed up with ABC to produce another television series, The Commish, which was another hit.[38]

In 1991, it expanded to game shows by partnering with Rick Rosner on Personals for CBS, followed by Caesar's Challenge for NBC.[39][40] In 1995, Cannell launched a reality show for syndication, called U.S. Customs Classified, which was about actual footage and recreations to depict cases.[41]

Sale of programs and end of production

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On July 31, 1995, New World Communications acquired his Cannell Entertainment production company and Cannell Distribution was then folded into Genesis Entertainment. Cannell then founded The Cannell Studios.[42][43] One of the first shows produced by the newly established Cannell Studios was the short-lived but critically acclaimed corporate drama Profit (1996).[43] The final new show developed by Cannell was the weekly syndicated series Two, which was for first-run syndication.[44][45]

In 1997, New World Communications was sold to News Corporation and became part of 20th Century Fox Television.[46][47][48] However, two of Cannell's series, The A-Team and Hunter are controlled by two other studios: Universal Television for the former and Sony Pictures Television for the latter and were not part of the deal. Also part of the deal, Cannell would pay Fox for international and domestic sales for his series.[49]

On May 4, 1998, Cannell reacquired his library from Fox and regained all distribution rights to the series.[49] In 2003, the company signed a deal with StudioWorks Entertainment to release the television series Wiseguy on DVD.[50] In 2004, the company had signed a home video deal with Anchor Bay Entertainment to release his TV shows on DVD.[51]

On January 24, 2006, The Carsey-Werner Company acquired distribution rights to Cannell's library.[52][53] In 2009, the company had signed a home video deal with Mill Creek Entertainment to release its titles on DVD.[54][55] In 2010, Stephen J. Cannell had died.[1] In March 2020, the Cannell estate signed a worldwide distribution deal with Shout! Factory.[56]

List of programs

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Universal Television (1976-1979)

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These programs were denoted by the term "A Stephen J. Cannell Production", followed by the Universal Television logo.

Television shows

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Title Original run Network Notes
Baa Baa Black Sheep 1976-1978 NBC
Richie Brockelman, Private Eye 1978 co-production with Bucky Productions, Inc.
The Duke 1979 mini-series
Stone 1980 ABC co-production with Gerry Productions

Television movies/pilots

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Title Air date Network Notes
Dr. Scorpion February 24, 1978 ABC
The Chinese Typewriter March 3, 1979 CBS
The Night Rider May 11, 1979 ABC
Nightside June 8, 1980 co-production with Glen A. Larson Productions

As an independent company (1979-present)

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Television shows

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Title Original run Network Notes
Tenspeed and Brown Shoe 1980 ABC
The Greatest American Hero 1981-1983 first series with the company's logo.
The Quest 1982
The A-Team 1983-1987 NBC co-production with Universal Television
Hardcastle and McCormick 1983-1986 ABC
Riptide 1984-1986 NBC
Hunter 1984-1991
The Last Precinct 1986
Stingray 1986-1987
21 Jump Street 1987-1991 Fox/Syndication co-production with Patrick Hasburgh Productions (seasons 1-2) and LBS Communications (season 5)
Wiseguy 1987-1991 CBS
J.J. Starbuck 1987 NBC
Sonny Spoon 1988 co-production with NBC Productions
Unsub 1989
Top of the Hill CBS
Booker 1989-1990 Fox
Broken Badges 1990 CBS
The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage 1991 NBC co-production with Walt Disney Television
Street Justice 1991-1993 Syndication
Silk Stalkings 1991-1999 CBS/USA Network co-production with Stu Segall Productions, New World Entertainment (seasons 5-6) and 20th Century Fox Television (seasons 6-8)
The Commish 1991-1996 ABC co-production with Three Putt Productions, ABC Productions and New World Entertainment (season 5)
Palace Guard 1991 CBS
Personals 1991-1992 co-production with Rosner Television
The Hat Squad 1992-1993
Renegade 1992-1997 Syndication/USA Network co-production with Stu Segall Productions, Renegade IV Enterprises and New World Entertainment (season 5)
Caesars Challenge 1993-1994 NBC co-production with Rosner Television
Missing Persons ABC co-production with Gary Sherman Productions
Cobra Syndication
Traps 1994 CBS co-production with CBS Entertainment Productions
Hawkeye 1994-1995 Syndication
Marker 1995 UPN
U.S. Customs Confessional 1995-1996 Syndication co-production with Grab Productions and New World Entertainment
Profit 1996 Fox co-production with Greenwalt/McNamara Productions and New World Entertainment
Two 1996-1997 Syndication co-production with Two Television Productions, Telegenic Programs Inc. and New World Entertainment
Hunter 2003 NBC co-production with Stu Segall Productions, NBC Studios and 20th Century Fox Television

Television movies/specials/pilots

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Title Air date Network Notes
Midnight Offerings February 27, 1981 ABC
Brothers-in-Law April 28, 1985
Destination America April 3, 1987
Scandals October 29, 1988 co-production with Garen/Albrecht Productions
Livin' Large April 29, 1989 co-production with Grio Entertainment Group
Thunberboat Row September 10, 1989
I Love You Perfect October 10, 1989 co-production with Gross-Weston Productions and Susan Dey Productions
Always Remember I Love You December 23, 1990 CBS co-production with Gross-Weston Productions
The Great Pretender April 14, 1991 NBC
Living a Lie September 16, 1991 co-production with Bernhardt-Friestat Entertainment
Highway Heartbreaker March 29, 1992 CBS co-production with Gross-Weston Productions
Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted October 19, 1992 NBC
Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland February 7, 1993 ABC co-production with Gross-Weston Productions and Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises
A Place for Annie May 1, 1994 co-production with Gross-Weston Productions, Hallmark Hall of Fame and Signboard Hill Productions
Greyhounds June 24, 1994 CBS co-production with Stu Segall Productions
Jake Lassister: Justice on the Bayou January 9, 1995 NBC co-production with Big Productions and Spanish Trail Productions
The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A. April 30, 1995 co-production with Fred Dryer Productions
A Child is Missing October 1, 1995 CBS co-production with Moore-Weiss Productions and New World Entertainment
The Surrogate October 22, 1995 ABC
Wiseguy May 2, 1996 co-production with Stu Segall Productions and New World Entertainment
Them October 8, 1996 UPN co-production with Deluxe Vancouver and New World Entertainment

Movies

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Title Release date Distributor Notes
The A-Team June 11, 2010 20th Century Fox co-production with Dune Entertainment, Top Cow Productions and Scott Free Productions
21 Jump Street March 16, 2012 Sony Pictures Releasing as SJC Studios; co-production with Columbia Pictures, Original Film, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Relativity Media
22 Jump Street June 13, 2014 co-production with Columbia Pictures, Original Film, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Storyville, 75 Year Plan Productions, MRC and LStar Capital

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Littleton, Cynthia (2010-10-01). "Stephen J. Cannell dies at 69". Variety. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  2. 1 2 3 McLellan, Dennis; Times, Los Angeles (2010-10-02). "Stephen J. Cannell dies at 69; TV writer, producer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Thompson, Robert J. (June 22, 1990). Adventures on prime time: the television programs of Stephen J. Cannell. Praeger Publishing. ISBN 9780275933302.
  4. ↑ "ABC-TV retrenches" (PDF). Broadcasting. December 3, 1979. p. 64. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  5. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (1981-03-18). "TV: 'THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  6. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (2021-03-07). "Frank Lupo, Writer-Producer Known for 'The A-Team,' 'Wiseguy,' Dies at 66". Variety. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  7. ↑ "Fates & Fortunes" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 10, 1981. pp. 92, 93. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  8. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (1982-10-22). "TV WEEKEND; 'LITTLE GLORIA' AND A NEW NBC SERIES". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  9. ↑ StephenCannell (2011-05-25). Secret of the Typewriter Logo. Retrieved 2026-08-12 – via YouTube.
  10. ↑ O'Connor, John (1983-05-08). "TV VIEW; THE RISE OF 'THE A-TEAM' GUARANTEES MORE VIOLENCE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  11. ↑ "'Hero' syndication" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 1, 1983. p. 58. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Lorimar Goes Into the Firstrun Field; Picks Up 8 Series". Variety. 1985-06-05. p. 42.
  13. ↑ "Syndication Marketplace" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 7, 1985. p. 42. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  14. ↑ Bedell, Sally (1983-05-05). "BETTE DAVIS JOINS ABC'S FALL LINEUP". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  15. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (1983-09-30). "TV WEEKEND; 'THE ROUSTERS' TO BEGIN". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  16. ↑ Smith, Sally Bedell (1983-12-15). "NBC REVISES PRIME-TIME SCHEDULE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  17. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (1984-09-18). "TV REVIEW; 'HUNTER' AND 'JESSIE' 2 SHOWS ABOUT POLICE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  18. ↑ "Two series to Columbia after long negotiations" (PDF). Television/Radio Age. September 30, 1985. p. 22. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Coke's new formula: sweet on entertainment" (PDF). Broadcasting. 1986-03-03. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  20. ↑ Fabrikant, Geraldine (1986-02-17). "TRI-STAR TV DEAL REPORTED IN WORKS". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  21. ↑ "Action-Packed Expansion" (PDF). Channels of Communication. 1990-04-09. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  22. ↑ "IN BRIEF". Broadcasting. 1990-07-16. p. 110.
  23. ↑ "Cannell" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 1, 1988. p. 38. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  24. ↑ Harris, Kathryn (1986-08-21). "Fallout From Tax Reform : TV Firms Shifting Production of Shows to Canada". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  25. ↑ Archives, L. A. Times (1988-08-01). "Stephen Cannell to Build Studio in Vancouver". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  26. ↑ "Cannell Buys a TV Station". The New York Times. 1989-11-16. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  27. ↑ "THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Cannell to Buy Ohio Station". The New York Times. 1990-03-22. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  28. ↑ "Fox TV affiliate to be sold to Cannell Communications". The Columbian. 1992-08-13. p. D7. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
  29. ↑ Hill, Jim (1992-12-25). "TV station KPDX (49) changes ownership". The Oregonian. p. E12. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
  30. ↑ "KATU to shift daytime programming". The Oregonian. 1994-08-11. p. C9. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
  31. ↑ Feran, Tom (June 24, 1994). "Channels 19 and 43 seek joint operation". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 1B. Retrieved October 5, 2022 – via NewsBank.
  32. ↑ Feran, Tom (August 20, 1994). "WOIO fires 8 at TV-43 in takeover". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 1E. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022 – via NewsBank.
  33. ↑ Feran, Tom (March 11, 2000). "Raycom finalizes WUAB purchase". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 6E. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via NewsBank.
  34. ↑ "'Baywatch': A New Wave of Popularity Overseas : Television: The NBC series that drowned in low ratings gets new life in syndication. It has been sold to more than 40 nations". Los Angeles Times. 1990-12-25. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  35. ↑ "TV Reviews : Weathers' Charm Can't Carry Lame 'Justice'". Los Angeles Times. 1991-09-18. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  36. ↑ Perry, Tony (1992-04-10). "What It Takes to Be a Winner in the Ring". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  37. ↑ "New Cannell show will appear on CBS and USA" (PDF). Broadcasting. August 5, 1991. p. 26. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  38. ↑ "'New' is the word for the new season" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 27, 1991. p. 30. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  39. ↑ Guider, Elizabeth (1991-11-11). "Syndies Bet Their Life On Celebs & Strip Tease". Variety. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  40. ↑ "Commentary : HERE'S A PRODUCER WHO WRITES HIS OWN SCRIPTS--AND TICKET". Los Angeles Times. 1993-12-12. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  41. ↑ "In Brief" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 9, 1995. p. 90. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  42. ↑ Thompson, Robert J. Cannell, Stephen J. Museum of Broadcast Communications.
  43. 1 2 "New World Will Buy Cannell to Help Fill Fox's Program Needs". Los Angeles Times. 1995-03-24. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  44. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (October 23, 1995). "First-run on a manhunt" (PDF). Broadcasting. p. 26. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  45. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (June 17, 1996). "Programers unveil bells, whistles" (PDF). Broadcasting. p. 42. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  46. ↑ Hofmeister, Sallie (1997-03-28). "News Corp. Stock Is Reeling Over New Spending Spree". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  47. ↑ "THE MEDIA BUSINESS;Murdoch's News Corp. Buying New World". The New York Times. 1996-07-18. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  48. ↑ "New World Vision : Murdoch's News Corp. to Buy Broadcast Group". Los Angeles Times. 1996-07-18. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  49. 1 2 Littleton, Cynthia (May 4, 1998). "Cannell wins back rights to TV series". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  50. ↑ Kipnis, Jill (May 31, 2003). "Picture This" (PDF). Billboard. p. 74. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  51. ↑ Hettrick, Scott (2004-06-10). "Cannell shows go to DVD". Variety. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  52. ↑ Eggerton, John (January 24, 2006). "Carsey-Werner to Distribute Cannell Library". Broadcasting+Cable. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  53. ↑ "Carsey-Werner picks up drama library". C21 Media. January 25, 2006. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Wiseguy DVD news: Mill Creek Picks up Cannell Shows | TVShowsOnDVD.com". tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  55. ↑ "Site News DVD news: Cannell and Mill Creek Ink New Distribution Deal | TVShowsOnDVD.com". www.tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
  56. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (March 11, 2020). "Shout! Factory Acquires Rights to Stephen J. Cannell's 900-Hour Strong TV and Movie Library". Deadline.
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