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 a billionaire businessman who has had a significant impact on the media and internet industries. He is the chairman and senior executive of IAC and Expedia Group, demonstrating his success in the digital realm. Earlier in his career, Diller founded the Fox Broadcasting Company in partnership with Rupert Murdoch, marking a pivotal moment in the television landscape. He also founded USA Broadcasting. His accomplishments have earned him recognition, including induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1994.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1964: Hired as an assistant by Elton Rule

In 1964, Barry Diller was hired as an assistant by Elton Rule, who was the West Coast head of ABC and became network President.

1965: Promoted to Vice President of Development

In 1965, Barry Diller was promoted to Vice President of Development at ABC, where he created the ABC Movie of the Week.

1973: Made Vice President of Prime Time Programming

In 1973, Barry Diller was made vice president of ABC's prime time programming, marking a significant advancement in his career.

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 premiere

In 1976, Paramount Pictures, under Barry Diller's leadership, produced the hit television program "Laverne & Shirley".

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1977: Saturday Night Fever Film Release

In 1977, Paramount Pictures, under Barry Diller's leadership, produced the hit film "Saturday Night Fever".

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1977: Kay Koplovitz held position at USA Networks

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

1978: Taxi and Grease Film Release

In 1978, Paramount Pictures, under Barry Diller's leadership, produced the hit television program "Taxi" and the film "Grease".

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1980: Ordinary People Film Release

In 1980, Paramount Pictures, under Barry Diller's leadership, produced the film "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 Film Release

In 1981, Paramount Pictures, under Barry Diller's leadership, produced the hit film "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

1982: Cheers TV Program Release

In 1982, Paramount Pictures, under Barry Diller's leadership, produced the hit television program "Cheers".

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1983: Head of Gulf+Western's Leisure Group

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

1983: Terms of Endearment Film Release

In 1983, Paramount Pictures, under Barry Diller's leadership, produced the film "Terms of Endearment".

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October 1984: Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox

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

1984: End of Paramount Pictures Tenure and Releases

In 1984, Barry Diller's 10-year tenure as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures ended. That year Paramount also released "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" and "Beverly Hills Cop".

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February 24, 1992: Diller Announces Fox Departure

On February 24, 1992, Barry Diller announced his departure from Fox within a three-month period, expressing his desire to "own my own store".

April 1992: Departure from 20th Century Fox

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

December 11, 1992: Diller's Vision for QVC

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 splits from Silver King Broadcasting

In 1992, Home Shopping Network splits from Silver King Broadcasting.

1994: Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame

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

August 1995: Acquisition of Silver King Broadcasting Assets

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

1995: Resignation from QVC

In 1995, Barry Diller resigned from QVC.

March 1996: Finalization of Silver King Broadcasting Ownership

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

August 1996: Agreement to Buy Back Home Shopping Network (HSN)

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

December 1996: Acquisition of 80% Stake in HSN

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

October 1997: Acquisition of USA Network and Sci Fi Channel

In October 1997, Barry Diller announced that he would be acquiring the USA Network and the Sci Fi Channel for $4.1 billion under his Home Shopping Network.

February 1998: Finalization of the USA Network Purchase

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

April 1998: Assumption of Chairman and CEO Positions at USA Networks

In April 1998, Barry Diller assumed the chairman and CEO positions at USA Networks, succeeding Kay Koplovitz.

May 1998: Failed attempt to remove WWF from the USA Network

In May 1998, Koplovitz and other USA Network executives, including network entertainment head Rod Perth, made an attempt to remove the WWF from the USA Network, which was thwarted.

December 2001: Vivendi Sale Announcement

In December 2001, the sale of the USA Network and its assets to Vivendi was announced, marking a shift in Diller's involvement with the network. Diller retained the assets of the Home Shopping Network.

2002: Board Member of Coca-Cola

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

2003: Warning Against Media Consolidation

In 2003, on the PBS program NOW with Bill Moyers, Barry Diller voiced a strong warning against media consolidation, referring to media ownership by a few big corporations as an oligarchy.

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, marking a transition in his leadership role within the company.

2011: Donation to the High Line Park

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

2012: Investor in Aereo

In 2012, 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 "Carousel".

2015: Donation Towards 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. It was stated to be the largest donation to a public park in the city's history.