Career Timeline of Barry Diller: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Barry Diller made an impact.

Barry Diller is an American billionaire businessman renowned for his influential role in the media and internet industries. He currently serves as chairman and senior executive of both IAC and Expedia Group. Diller's career is marked by his entrepreneurial ventures, most notably founding the Fox Broadcasting Company in collaboration with Rupert Murdoch, and USA Broadcasting. His significant contributions to the television industry were recognized with his induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1994, solidifying his legacy as a media mogul.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1964: Hired as Assistant by Elton Rule at ABC

In 1964, Barry Diller was hired as an assistant by Elton Rule, then West Coast head of ABC, who was promoted to network President at the same time, taking Diller to New York City.

1965: Promoted to Vice President of Development at ABC

In 1965, Barry Diller was promoted to Vice President of Development at ABC, where he created the ABC Movie of the Week, pioneering the concept of the made-for-television movie.

1973: Made Vice President of Prime Time Programming

In 1973, Barry Diller was made vice president of ABC's prime time programming.

1974: Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures

In 1974, Barry Diller became the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation.

1976: Laverne & Shirley

In 1976, while Diller was the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation, the studio produced the television program Laverne & Shirley.

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1977: Saturday Night Fever

In 1977, while Diller was the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation, the studio produced the movie Saturday Night Fever.

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1977: Kay Koplovitz at USA Networks

Since 1977, Kay Koplovitz had the chairman and CEO positions at USA Networks.

1978: Taxi and Grease

In 1978, while Diller was the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation, the studio produced the television program Taxi and the movie Grease.

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1980: Ordinary People

In 1980, while Diller was the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation, the studio produced the movie Ordinary People.

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1981: USA Network Ownership Agreement

In 1981, Barry Diller put together the USA Network ownership agreement between Paramount, Time Inc., and MCA, convincing Madison Square Garden management not to sell their interests in the network.

1981: Raiders of the Lost Ark

In 1981, while Diller was the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation, the studio produced the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark.

1982: Cheers

In 1982, while Diller was the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation, the studio produced the television program Cheers.

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1983: Head of Gulf+Western Leisure Group

In 1983, Barry Diller became head of Gulf+Western's leisure group, including Paramount, Madison Square Garden, Famous Music, and Simon & Schuster.

1983: Terms of Endearment

In 1983, while Diller was the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation, the studio produced the movie Terms of Endearment.

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October 1984: Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox

In October 1984, Barry Diller became chairman and chief executive officer of 20th Century Fox.

1984: End of Tenure at Paramount Pictures

In 1984, Barry Diller's 10-year tenure as chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation ended.

February 24, 1992: Diller Announces Departure from Fox

On February 24, 1992, Barry Diller announced that he would leave Fox within three months, expressing a desire to "own my own store".

April 1992: Leaves 20th Century Fox

In April 1992, Barry Diller left his position as chairman and chief executive officer of 20th Century Fox.

December 11, 1992: Plans for QVC by Diller

On December 11, 1992, New York Times journalist Calvin Sims noted that Barry Diller sought "to turn the shopping channel into an on-line entertainment and merchandising service in which the subscriber and the cable company can freely interact" with QVC.

1992: Home Shopping Network Split

In 1992, the Home Shopping Network (HSN) split from Silver King Broadcasting.

1994: Inducted into Television Hall of Fame

In 1994, Barry Diller was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

August 1995: Acquires Silver King Broadcasting Assets

In August 1995, Barry Diller acquired the assets of Silver King Broadcasting.

1995: Resigns from QVC

In 1995, Barry Diller resigned from QVC.

March 1996: Ownership of Silver King Broadcasting Finalized

In March 1996, Barry Diller's ownership of Silver King Broadcasting was finalized.

August 1996: Merger Agreement with Home Shopping Network

In August 1996, it was agreed that Silver King Broadcasting, under Diller's leadership, would buy back the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and that the two companies would merge.

December 1996: Silver King Acquires Stake in HSN, Renames Company

In December 1996, Silver King Broadcasting acquired an 80% stake in HSN for $1.3 billion worth of stock and subsequently changed its name to HSN, Inc.

October 1997: Acquisition of USA Network and Universal TV Businesses

In October 1997, Barry Diller announced that he would be acquiring the USA Network and other Seagram-owned Universal TV businesses, including the Sci Fi Channel, for $4.1 billion, to be owned by his Home Shopping Network.

1997: Eisner's confidential letter

In 1997, Michael Eisner sent a confidential letter to The Walt Disney Company board of directors during its search for a successor to Eisner, as reported in James B. Stewart's 2005 book DisneyWar.

February 1998: Finalization of USA Network Purchase

In February 1998, Barry Diller's purchase of the USA Network was finalized.

April 1998: Chairman and CEO of USA Networks

In April 1998, Barry Diller assumed the chairman and CEO positions at USA Networks, previously held by Kay Koplovitz since 1977.

May 1998: WWF attempt to remove from USA Network thwarted

In May 1998, Barry Diller and Universal TV executive Bonnie Hammer thwarted an attempt by Kay Koplovitz and other USA Network executives to remove the WWF from the USA Network.

December 2001: Involvement with USA Network Ends

In December 2001, Barry Diller's involvement with the USA Network ended when the Vivendi sale was announced. He retained assets of the Home Shopping Network and acquired Internet assets.

2002: Board of Coca-Cola

Since 2002, Barry Diller has been on the board of Coca-Cola.

2005: IAC/InterActiveCorp Acquired Ask.com

In 2005, IAC/InterActiveCorp acquired Ask.com, marking a strategic move into the Internet search category.

December 2, 2010: Stepped down as CEO of IAC/InterActiveCorp

On December 2, 2010, Barry Diller stepped down as chief executive officer of IAC/InterActiveCorp.

2011: Donation to the High Line Park

In 2011, the Diller-von Fürstenberg Family Foundation announced a donation of $20 million to support the completion of the High Line park in Manhattan.

2012: Investor in Aereo

In 2012, Barry Diller became an investor in the streaming service company Aereo.

2012: Donation to the Hollywood Fund

In 2012, Diller donated $30 million to the Hollywood Fund, which provides health and social care to retired individuals from the show-business world.

2013: Co-producing Broadway Shows

Since 2013, Barry Diller has co-produced more than ten Broadway shows in partnership with Scott Rudin, including To Kill A Mockingbird, West Side Story, and others. IAC Films has also backed numerous films produced by Rudin.

2015: Donation to Little Island

In 2015, Diller and his wife committed to donate $260 million toward Little Island, a public park and performance space on a reconstructed pier 55 in the Hudson River in New York City.