Paramount Pictures is the film production and distribution company that currently holds the license to produce the Doctor Who feature films, with BBC Films, and had formerly controlled half of the rights to the Doctor Who TV Series, up until 2006. Paramount is currently owned by the media conglomerate Viacom which is, in turn, controlled by National Amusements.
Brad Grey, previously a television producer, is the current CEO. It was his stated intention to reestablish Paramount as a leading media company by being willing to take risks and lure creative talent to the company. As part of this initiative, he lured Gail Berman, one of the original producers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, into the corporate offices to take on the role of President.
Beginning in 1931, Paramount Pictures owned and operated the Paramount Theatre (note British spelling) in Oakland, California where it held many premieres for its films. Since 1986, the theater has been owned and operated as a non-profit organization by the city.