United Paramount Theatres, one of the largest chain of cinemas in the United States, was divested from Paramount Pictures as a result of the 1948 United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. Supreme Court case.

The company was formed by Paramount from Balaban and Katz and other properties and headed by Leonard Goldenson.

History

• 1949: United Paramount Theatres was formed. The company was divested from Paramount on December 31, 1949.
• 1953: The chain merged with the American Broadcasting Company. The merged company was named American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres (but did not affect the name of the radio or TV networks).
• 1965: American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres was renamed American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., with the theater chain renamed ABC Theatres.
• 1974: The Midwestern (ABC Great States) movie theaters were sold.
• 1977: The Southern (ABC Southern) movie theaters were sold.

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