Famous Players

Famous Players is a movie theatre chain, and formerly a cable television provider in Canada. At their peak, they operated over 100 theatres across Canada. But since they have been purchased by Cineplex Entertainment in 2005, most Famous Players have been converted to Cineplex Cinemas. They currently have 3 theatres in British Columbia and Québec. However, these theatres are operated by Cineplex Entertainment and only use the Famous Players name for branding purposes. 
== History ==
Famous Players was founded in 1920 when the Famous Players Film Company (Paramount Pictures) purchased the Paramount Theatres chain to make Famous Players. 
Famous Players quickly expanded through acquisitions of other Canadian theatre companies. Their first acquisition was the Allen Theatres chain, which was a rival theatre company. 
By 1927, Famous Players operated over 100 different theatres with a variety of banners. 
In 1953, Famous Players purchased 2 Canadian TV channels, this was their entry into the television business. By the end of the decade, Famous Players purchased their first cable TV channels. Famous Players began to grow in the cable TV business throughout the 1960s and 70s. 
In 1978, the TV division of Famous Players was sold to Rogers Cable, also known as Rogers Wireless. This meant that the company was once again focused on the movie theatre industry. 
In the late 1990s, Famous Players introduced Colossus and Silver City theatres. These are megaplex theatres with stadium seating, arcades, food courts, and more. These chains continue to be operated by Cineplex Entertainment after the 2005 buyout. 
In June 2004, all theatres in Atlantic Canada were sold to rival theatre chain, Empire Theatres. These theaters have since been closed or turned into Cineplex Cinemas after the 2013 Empire Theatres buyout. 
===2005 Cineplex Entertainment buyout===
In February 2005, Viacom, who was Famous Players parent company, announced that they would be selling Famous Players for 500 million dollars. The chain was purchased by Cineplex Entertainment, and the deal went through by the end of June in the same year.
To avoid any legal issues, 27 Famous Players' were sold to Empire Theatres in August 2005. 
Since the buyout, most Famous Players have been converted to Cineplex Cinemas. However, Famous Players, Silver City, and Colossus brand names continue to be used at certain locations. 
==Subpages==
==See Also== 
*Empire Theatres
*AMC Theatres
*Cineplex Entertainment
Category:Canada
Category:North America
Category:Movie Theaters
Category:Retailers
Category:Franchises
Category:Companies
Category:Defunct
Category:Defunct Movie Theaters
Category:Brands
Category:Companies founded in Canada