What if PolyGram remain open after 1999? (2024)

On May 22, 1998, Philips announced that they would sell PolyGram to Seagram for $10 billion. Alain Levy resigned as CEO of PolyGram on June 23 to prepare for the merger, and the deal was closed on December 10, 1998, with PolyGram's operations folding into Universal Pictures and Universal Music Group. But what if PolyGram remain open after 1999?

Here's what might have happened.

This theory is interconnected to What if Paramount kept the rights to Buzzy the Crow, Herman and Katnip, Little Audrey, Modern Madcaps, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Baby Huey, Tommy Tortoise and Moe Hare?

Changes[]

• PolyGram would be remain open after 1999 still being acquired by MCA in 1998.
  • The acquisition would be announced on May 22, 1998 and completed on December 10, 1998.
    • To promote the merger, MCA created a promotional poster with TBA.
  • As a result, PolyGram would be part of Universal Pictures.
• Wingman would be a mascot of PolyGram.
• ITC Entertainment would be remain open after 1998.
  • The Lone Ranger (2013) would be produced by RKO Pictures and ITC Entertainment instead of Walt Disney Pictures.
  • Thunderbirds (2004) would be produced by ITC Entertainment instead of Working Title Films.
  • The Saint (1997) would be produced by Gramercy Pictures and ITC Entertainment instead of Paramount Pictures and Rysher Entertainment.
  • The Stepfather (2009) would be produced by Rogue Pictures and ITC Entertainment instead of Screen Gems.
  • ITC Entertainment would keep the rights to the Jim Henson productions produced by ITC Entertainment after 1984.
• Interscope Communications would remain open after 2002.
  • As a result, Radar Pictures wouldn't exist.
• Gramercy Pictures would remain open after 2001.
  • Alchemy, STX Films, and FilmDistrict (excluding films that produced by TriStar Pictures) would all not exist, having their films produced and distributed by Universal under the Gramercy Pictures label.
  • Zippy would be mascot of Gramercy Pictures.
  • Gramercy Pictures would create Gramercy Home Entertainment.
  • Gramercy Pictures would still get a new logo in 2010 instead of 2015.
    • FilmDistrict logo music would still exist, but it would've appeared in Gramercy Pictures 2010 logo.
  • Pitch Black (2000), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), and Riddick (2013) would be released by Gramercy Pictures instead of USA Films and Universal Pictures.
  • Mr. Bean's Holiday would be produced by Gramercy Pictures.
  • Dragon Wars (2007) would be produced by Gramercy Pictures & Spyglass Entertainment and directed by Jon Favreau instead of Showbox & Younggu Art and Shim Hyung-rae.
  • Insidious films would be produced by Gramercy Pictures.
  • The Boy (2016) would be produced by Gramercy Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, and Blumhouse Productions instead of STX Films and Lakeshore Entertainment.
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment would keep Working Title Films after 1999.
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment would keep it's pre-April 1996 film library instead of selling it to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
  • As a result, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer would buy the Epic Productions library instead in 1997.
    • Turner Broadcasting System via New Line Cinema would keep the Nelson Entertainment library after 1994.
• PolyGram Video would remain open after 1999 and renamed to PolyGram Home Entertainment in 2005.
• Island Pictures would remain open after 1998.
  • Teen Wolf (2011) would be produced and aired by Island Television and USA Network instead of MGM Television and MTV.
  • Valley Girl (2020) would be produced by Island Pictures instead of Orion Classics.
• PolyGram would still keep the rights to Candyman.
  • Candyman (1992) would be distributed by Gramercy Pictures instead of TriStar Pictures.
  • Candyman would become part of Universal Monsters in 1998.
  • Candyman (2020) would be produced by Gramercy Pictures, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, and Blumhouse Entertainment instead of Universal Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
• Werewolf (An American Werewolf in London) would become part of Universal Monsters in 1998.
• PolyGram would acquire Fremantle, Granada plc, Carlton Communications, Pearson plc, Trocadero plc and ITV in 1995.
  • PolyGram would sell Channel 5 Video to Viacom in 1995.
  • Pickwick Group PLC would remain open after 1995.
    • As a result, Pickwick Video releases would be distributed by PolyGram Video since 1995.
  • Chorion would remain open after 2012.
  • Comcast via NBCUniversal via PolyGram would acquire Slivergate Media instead of Sony in 2019.
    • Hilda (2018) would be co-produced by Universal Television Animation and PolyGram Television and moved Netflix to Universal Kids sicne 2020.
  • PolyGram via Trocadero plc would still buy Darrell Waters Ltd. in January 1996.
    • Make Way for Noddy (2002) would be aired and produced by CITV, Sprout Universal, PolyGram Television and Universal Cartoon Studios instead of Channel 5, PBS Kids and SD Entertainment.
    • Noddy in Toyland (2009) would be aired and produced by CITV, Sprout Universal, PolyGram Television and Universal Television Animation instead of Channel 5 and Brown Bag Studios.
    • Noddy, Toyland Detective (2016-2020) would be aired and produced by Canal+ Family, CITV, Sprout Universal/Universal Junior, PolyGram Television and Universal Television Animation instead of France 5, Channel 5, Gaumont Animation and DreamWorks Television Animation.
    • Have Noddy get a direct-to-video animated crossover film with Lacey in 1999 called Lacey Meets Noddy.
      • It would be the first Noddy production to be in 2D animation since Noddy Goes to Toyland (1963).
  • Noddy, Toyland Detective would have changes:
    • Have computer animation in the same art style as Noddy in Toyland (2009).
    • Have characters keep the old designs.
    • Improve the animation.
    • Don't flanderize the characters.
    • Have Tessie Bear, Sly and Gobbo, Mr. Jumbo, Martha Monkey, Mr. Wobblyman, Mr. Plod and Master Tubby Bear return.
    • Maya Entertainment Ltd. and Mojo Digiworks would provide the animation instead of Planktoon, SWM.
    • Gaumont Animation would not be involved at all.
    • Have it aired on Canal+ Family and CITV in France and UK instead of France 5 and Channel 5.
  • Danger Mouse would be mascot of ITV.
  • Mopatop's Shop (1999-2003) would be produced by ITC Entertainment instead of Carlton Television.
    • PolyGram Video via ITC Home Video would release Mopatop's Shop VHS's and DVD's instead of Columbia TriStar Home Video.
    • Mopatop's Shop (1999-2003) would be on Peaco*ck since it's launch on July 15, 2020.
  • NBCUniversal via PolyGram via Pearson plc would keep the Allied Communications, Inc. library after the 2010s.
    • Leonard Hill Films would remain open after 2011.
• PolyGram would acquire The Jim Henson Company in December 14, 1990.
  • The acquisition would be announced on August 20, 1989 and completed on December 14, 1990.
    • To promote the merger, PolyGram created a promotional poster with Wingman meeting Kermit the Frog.
  • Jim Henson wouldn't died in 1990.
  • It would be a subsidiary of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.
    • Jim Henson Home Entertainment would still exist, although now as a sub-label of PolyGram Video.
  • The pre-1990 Jim Henson library would now be owned by PolyGram.
    • The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and The Witches (1990) will be sold from Sony Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros. to PolyGram.
    • Kermit the Frog would still be the mascot.
    • Sesame Workshop opted to allow PolyGram to own their assets by forming Sesame Workshop Partners, giving them the majority of the rights similar to how National Geographic gave one to Fox.
  • Disney wouldn't acquire the rights to The Muppets and Bear in the Big Blue House, remaining under the Henson family's ownership.
    • The Muppets Studio wouldn't exist, with its projects being fully owned and produced by The Jim Henson Company.
    • The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted would be distributed and produced by Universal Pictures and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment instead of Walt Disney Pictures.
  • Children's Television Workshop would have changes:
    • They wouldn't try too hard to stay hip and relevant.
    • They wouldn't work with Autism Speaks.
    • Sesame Street wouldn't be that overfocused as it is nowadays in order to give other IPs more recognition.
      • Despite that, Sesame Street is still regarded as CTW's flagship IP with Big Bird as its mascot.
    • Kevin Clash wouldn't resign from Sesame Street due to his false sexual allegations later being cleared out.
    • They wouldn't fire the actors who played Gordon, Bob, Susan, Maria, Luis, and Gina from Sesame Street.
    • Shows that were neglected by CTW such as Dragon Tales, Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat, The Electric Company, etc. would still be ongoing.
    • They would have gone against corporate sponsors to raise funds for Sesame Street and other projects on PBS airings.
    • They wouldn't attract younger audiences.
    • Elmo wouldn't be as overused as he is nowadays in order to give other characters more attention.
    • Mecha Builders would feature additional Sesame Street Muppets as members of the Mecha Builders.
  • Jim Henson Productions would keep Henson International Television in 1989.
    • As a result, Henson International Television would be renamed to HIT Entertainment in 1989.
    • HIT Entertainment now serves as a division of The Jim Henson Company.
    • Peter Orton would return to HIT Entertainment in 2012.
    • Universal Home Video (now Universal Home Entertainment since 2005) via PolyGram Video (now PolyGram Home Entertainment since 2005) would release Right Entertainment UK home media releases since 2001.
    • The Jim Henson Company would have lots of care for the franchises HIT Entertainment owns, would give more attention to the HiT shows and franchises, and would give the older seasons of Fireman Sam and Thomas & Friends, as well as the original Bob the Builder much recognition.
    • They wouldn't private or block all videos of HIT properties or take down channels or fan games.
    • They would never shut down all websites that were owned by HiT Entertainment.
    • Universal Television Animation would've co-produced HiT Entertainment's animated shows.
      • As a result, all HiT shows would air on PBS Kids for reruns.
    • Thomas & Friends: Big World Big Adventures! and Thomas and Friends: All Engines Go! wouldn't exist, meaning that the original Thomas & Friends would still continue and would stay in model rather than switching to CGI.
    • The series 9 onwards of Fireman Sam was heavily altered as it continued with the stop-motion animation, kept the original continuity and taken all the great elements from season 5 and put them over into season 9, ignoring the events of the sixth, seventh and eighth seasons.
    • Hot Animation wouldn't be closed down.
      • The 2015 Bob the Builder gets tweaked to stay faithful to the original series.
      • Rubbadubbers and Pingu would be revived for newer episodes.
    • Vivendi Universal via PolyGram Filmed Entertainment via The Jim Henson Company via HIT Entertainment via Lyrick Studios would acquire Big Idea Productions instead of Classic Media in 2003.
      • As a result, Big Idea Entertainment would stay open.
      • VeggieTales would have changes:
        • Ma, Tom, and Rosie Grape and Lenny and Baby Lou Carrot make more appearances.
        • Make some of the character designs no confusing.
      • VeggieTales: Noah's Ark, VeggieTales in the House and VeggieTales in the City (both of which would be called VeggieTales: Bible Tales) would've been heavily altered as it would be made without Doug TenNapel's involvement. would have changes
        • It would keep the original designs.
        • The episodes and morals wouldn't be predictable.
        • Have Noah's Ark more faithful to the original book.
        • Mr. Nezzer would stay.
        • Ichabeezer, "My Golden Egg", and Bacon Bill wouldn't exist.
        • Have the characters keep the personalities they had in the original series instead of flanderizing them.
        • Keep Silly Songs with Larry.
        • Better humor.
        • Have the story focus more on the titular story rather than Shem.
        • Better jokes.
        • Make the new characters more likable and not annoying.
        • Other popular characters such as Scooter Carrot, The Scallions, Khalil the Caterpillar, and Qwerty, would actually appear.
        • Make the episodes change in detail.
        • Have Come in Twos make more sense and have more relation to the story.
        • Some children are able to keep up with the pace of the story.
        • Make the title sound no pandering and not try too hard to be cool for kids.
        • No headscratcher.
        • Never remove God (or anything religious) and the biblical lessons.
      • NBCUniversal wouldn't fire Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Lisa Vischer and Kurt Heinecke as they would let them have more creative control over their properties.
    • The Wiggles television series would be kept under HIT Entertainment via Lyrick Studios' ownership and end up after the fourth series The Wiggles Show! in order to avoid ruining childhoods, especially how we miss the older members of the Wiggles.
      • However, after Greg Page's return in 2012, a new animated Wiggles series would be made between 2012 and 2013 and stay faithful to the 1997 film and the first two seasons, and a new pink member of the Wiggles named Emma was additionally added to the cast, being voiced by Emma Watkins. The designs of the main Wiggles look more identical to the original 1998 series. Also, the show would have three seasons with ten episodes each.
    • Kipper would additionally get a 2019 reboot.
    • Barney & Friends and Angelina Ballerina would actually be produced in 2017 like they were originally intended, fixing the problems they have in the 7-14 seasons, the original 2001 series and The Next Steps, with the latter actually staying faithful to the original books and its source material.
    • A new Barney animated series developed and run by Bob Boyle titled Barney's Big Adventures was made, being animated by Pipeline Studios, and will not have the Barney doll and the human kids due to unknown reasons.
      • This show is about Barney and his friends having big adventures in Barney's world.
    • I Love You, You Hate Me would air on NBC instead of Peaco*ck.
    • Viacom via Paramount Pictures would sell Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000) to Comcast via NBCUniversal via PolyGram Filmed Entertainment via The Jim Henson Company in 2002.
    • Time Warner via Warner Bros. via Geffen Pictures would sell Barney's Great Adventure (1998) to Comcast via NBCUniversal via PolyGram Filmed Entertainment via The Jim Henson Company in 2001.
    • Lyrick Studios would be remain open after 2001.
      • Barney would be still mascot.
      • Universal Home Video (now Universal Home Entetainment since 2005) via PolyGram Video (now PolyGram Home Entertainment since 2005) would still continue to release Lyrick Studios international home media releases after 2001.
      • Vivendi Universal via PolyGram Filmed Entertainment via The Jim Henson Company would acquire Big Idea Productions instead of Classic Media in 2003.
        • VeggieTales would have changes:
          • Ma, Tom, and Rosie Grape and Lenny and Baby Lou Carrot make more appearances.
          • Make some of the character designs no confusing.
        • VeggieTales: Noah's Ark, VeggieTales in the House and VeggieTales in the City (both of which would be called VeggieTales: Bible Tales) would've been heavily altered as it would be made without Doug TenNapel's involvement. would have changes
          • It would keep the original designs.
          • The episodes and morals wouldn't be predictable.
          • Have Noah's Ark more faithful to the original book.
          • Mr. Nezzer would stay.
          • Ichabeezer, "My Golden Egg", and Bacon Bill wouldn't exist.
          • Have the characters keep the personalities they had in the original series instead of flanderizing them.
          • Keep Silly Songs with Larry.
          • Better humor.
          • Have the story focus more on the titular story rather than Shem.
          • Better jokes.
          • Make the new characters more likable and not annoying.
          • Other popular characters such as Scooter Carrot, The Scallions, Khalil the Caterpillar, and Qwerty, would actually appear.
          • Make the episodes change in detail.
          • Have Come in Twos make more sense and have more relation to the story.
          • Some children are able to keep up with the pace of the story.
          • Make the title sound no pandering and not try too hard to be cool for kids.
          • No headscratcher.
          • Never remove God (or anything religious) and the biblical lessons.
    • Gullane Entertainment would be remain open after 2002.
      • Thomas would be still mascot.
      • A day later after the Jay Jay's Mysteries aka season 4 of Jay Jay the Jet Plane final episode "The Mystery of Dinosaurs" premiered on PBS Kids, it would've caused a lawsuit with PorchLight Entertainment as Apax Partners via HIT Entertainment via Gullane Entertainment via The Britt Allcroft Company angrily calls them, threatening to sue them for being Thomas and Friends rip-off and creepy.
      • The Britt Allcroft Company would remain open after 2000 and become a division of Gullane Entertainment.
        • The Britt Allcroft Presents logo would still appear at the beginning of Thomas and Friends episodes after Season 5.
      • Latin and North America prints of Thomas and Friends season 7 episodes would still keep the series 1-7 intro, credits and original music.
  • Jim Henson Pictures would remain open.
    • Buddy (1997) would be produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment instead of Columbia Pictures.
    • Muppets from Space and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999) would be distributed and produced by Universal Pictures and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment instead of Columbia Pictures.
    • Rat (2000) would be produced by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment instead of Universal Focus.
    • Good Boy! (2003) would be distributed and produced by Universal Pictures instead of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
    • MirrorMask (2005) would be produced by Gramercy Pictures instead of Samuel Goldwyn Films and Destination Films.
    • Muppets from Space and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland would perform much better at the box office.
    • The Happytime Murders would be changed into a family-oriented television series on Universal Kids titled: The Happytime Gang.
    • The Star's plot line is heavily altered as well.
    • An animated film adaptation of The Muppets would be produced on October 12th, 2018.
  • There would be more Sesame Street and Muppet films.
  • Rides based on Jim Henson properties would be licensed to NBCUniversal for its theme parks.
  • Video games based on Jim Henson properties would be published by Universal Interactive and PolyGram Interactive.
  • Several iconic Jim Henson properties are brought back as new takes on such media.
  • All Sesame Workshop and Jim Henson series since 2003 would be distributed by PolyGram Television and ITC Entertainment.
    • Muppet Babies (2018) would be produced by Universal Television Animation, PolyGram Television and The Jim Henson Company for Universal Junior instead of The Muppets Studio for Disney Junior.
      • On top of that, Muppet Babies (2018) would also feature additional Muppets that weren't featured in the original series.
      • After the series ended, PolyGram opted to add Summer as a new member of The Muppets.
    • The second season of The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss gets tweaked to tell new plots.
  • The Muppets (2015) would have lasted for two additional seasons.
    • Walter would have a larger role in the series.
  • Sid the Science Kid and Word Party would be made with puppets in live-action instead of CGI, and they would have several changes to make them better.
  • The High Fructose Adventures of the Annoying Orange and Unstable Fables would never exist.
• An American Werewolf in Paris would be distributed by Universal Pictures instead of Hollywood Pictures.
• The BFG (2016) (which would be traditionally-animated film instead of live-action film) would be produced by DreamWorks Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, and Amblimation instead of Walt Disney Pictures.
• Baywatch (2017) would be produced by Universal Pictures and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment instead of Paramount Pictures and Uncharted.
• Fargo (2014) would be produced and aired by Gramercy Television and USA Network instead of MGM Television and FX.

Films[]

Animated[]

• The BFG (1989)
• Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)
• The Bob & Larry Movie (2005)
• The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A VeggieTales Movie
• The BFG (2016)

Live-action[]

• The Muppet Movie (1979)
• Teen Wolf (1985)
• Candyman (1992)
• The Usual Suspects (1995)
• Fargo (1996)
• Bean (1997)
• The Saint (1997)
• The Big Lebowski (1998)
• Muppets from Space (1999)
• The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999)
• Dragon Wars (2007)
• Mr. Bean Holiday (2007)
• The Muppets (2011)
• Baywatch (2017)

Television[]

Animated[]

• Danger Mouse (1981-1992)
• The Wind in the Willows (1984-1990)
• Count Duckula (1988-1993)
• Noddy's Toyland Adventures (1992-2000)
• VeggieTales (1993-present)
• The Noddy Shop (1998–1999)
• Make Way for Noddy (2001-2006)
• VeggieTales: Bible Tales (2014-2017)
• Thunderbirds Are Go (2015-2020)
• Noddy, Toyland Detective (2016-2020)
• Hilda (2018-2023)
• The VeggieTales Show (2019-2022)

Live-action[]

• The Saint (1962-1969)
• Space: 1999 (1975-1977)
• The Muppet Show (1976-1981)
• Mopatop's Shop (1999-2003)
• Teen Wolf (2011-2017)

Video games[]

• TBA

Other media[]

Gallery[]

Print logos[]

On-screen logos[]