[dukefanswimmer89]

Well it looks as if Paramount Parks are up for sale again. At least if a good offer is made, executives have decieded that they will sell the park chain, as well as the Simon and Schuster publishing company.

or ????

Article: [cut down for length]
original link: <a href='http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001659395' target='_blank'>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/artic...t_id=1001659395</a>

Dec. 14, 2005

Viacom ready to sell theme parks, Simon & Schuster


Sumner Redstone
By Reuters
DUBAI -- Viacom Inc. is ready to sell theme parks owned by its Paramount Pictures division, as well as book publisher Simon & Schuster, chairman Sumner Redstone said Tuesday.

The media conglomerate splits into two companies on Dec. 31, separating its faster growing cable networks and film business from the relatively sluggish CBS television broadcasting and radio operations.

Simon & Schuster, which will be part of the more mature side of the business has often been cited along with the theme parks as assets Viacom might choose to sell.

"We have certain assets which give us a lot of cash flow but don't have the growth potential that we are looking for, like the theme parks and Simon & Schuster," Redstone told Reuters in an interview during a visit to Dubai.

"If someone offered us enough money, we would probably sell," he said, declining to give details.

[bgwfreak]

Sounds like they're not really looking to sell unless someone comes along with a good offer.

Six flags has no money these days, so I'd be shocked if it was them that came along.

Cedar Fair or maybe the family that owns Dollywood/SDC would be the only buyers I'd see that would be all that interested.

[coasterdude89]

Once again, I say that the people who own Dollywood and Silver Dollar City (<a href='http://www.hfecorp.com/' target='_blank'>Heschend Family Entertainment</a>) should buy Carowinds. They could really improve the park a whole lot more than Paramount could.

[CoasterChris]

I pretty much knew nothing would be done until the new year. I think the parks have been up for sale since it was first announced months ago.

Good thing to come out of this will be the park will be named just Carowinds again.

I wouldn't mind if CF came in and took over.

[coasterholic14]

maybe this is why we didnt get the big BB expansion we were expecting, just a small one

[RollerBee]

.....

[montumax]

Hopefully, they'll sell the parks as a package. If not, maybe we'll get PKI's FOF before that park is sold

[swampfox43]

maybe we'll get PKI's FOF before that park is sold

Now Max! You know that would NEVER happen...

[RollerBee]

Oh god, I don't like where this is going.....

[Dukeis#1]

Once again, I say that the people who own Dollywood and Silver Dollar City (<a href='http://www.hfecorp.com/' target='_blank'>Heschend Family Entertainment</a>) should buy Carowinds.  They could really improve the park a whole lot more than Paramount could.

I don't think the Herschends would be interested in any of the Paramount Parks. They aren't in the same class as Dollywood or Silver Dollar City. (Too heavy on rides, etc)

Plus, HFE is privately owned- it’s not some huge corporation. They work for themselves, not millions of stockholders.

[bgwfreak]

If we're picking over rides, I want Volcano too!

[wdwspider]

So, would the Paamount movies theme go with the parks, or would a new company have to change the names and theming (Borg for instance)?

[bgwfreak]

^ Most likely they'd have to change the names like Geagua Lake did when Six Flags sold them.

[CoasterChris]

Hmm...... I wonder what Top Gun would be??????

[dukefanswimmer89]

im sure paramount would extend some sort of license (much like Taft/Kings Ent. did ) that would last a certain number of years, so the park could have time to retheme.... so Top Gun might stay TG for awhile even if the park is purchased

it makes MOST sense for PP to sell them individually, as they are using the CP approach to selling Demon Drop, if a good offer comes, they sell... so its highly likely that parks are sold individually (Cedar Fair could have an interest in PC/PKD b/c of its location, i think PKI's too close to CP; if they don't buy the SF chain instead...)