Operation Prime Time

Operation Prime Time

Type	syndication
Country	United States
Slogan	Operation Prime Time for better programming
Owner	MCA TV
Launch date	1976
Dissolved	1987

Operation Prime Time (OPT) was a syndicated block of television programming offered to mostly American independent stations in 1976 by what was then called MCA TV. With its slogan "Operation Prime Time for better programming", OPT was MCA's initiative to launch new television shows direct to first-run syndication, instead of traditionally through a television network.

OPT inspired syndication models that arose in later years, such as The Disney Afternoon, the Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN) and MyNetworkTV. Its initial programs were miniseries including an adaptation of John Jakes' The Bastard and Edward the King. OPT also distributed the animated Christmas special Yogi's First Christmas (now owned by Warner Bros. Television). While OPT was an MCA initiative, many of OPT's programs were produced by studios not associated with MCA or its movie studio, Universal Pictures.

OPT and its successor company, Television Program Enterprises (TPE) were formed by Al Masini. The most successful program from both OPT and TPE was, and still is, Entertainment Tonight, now produced and distributed entirely by CBS Television Distribution. Other programs included Solid Gold, Star Search, and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

List of programs produced by OPT

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

• The Key to Rebecca (1985)
• Jenny's War (1985)
• Sadat (1983) (distributed by Columbia Pictures Television)
• "Blood Feud" (1983)
• A Woman Called Golda (1982)
• Goliath Awaits (1981)
• Solid Gold Hits (1984)
• Solid Gold (1980-1988) (distributed by Paramount Television)
• Yogi's First Christmas (1980) (distributed by Hanna-Barbera Productions)
• Tourist (1980)
• The Dream Merchants (1980)
• Top of the Hill (1980)
• The Seekers (1979)
• The Rebels (1979)
• The Immigrants (1978)
• Evening in Byzantium (1978)
• The Bastard (1978)
• Testimony of Two Men (1977)

External links

• Operation Prime Time at the Internet Movie Database
• Operation Prime Time at the Internet Movie Database (Television Program Enterprises {TPE})