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 prominent American businessman, currently serving as chairman and senior executive of both IAC and Expedia Group. He is recognized for his pivotal role in establishing the Fox Broadcasting Company in collaboration with Rupert Murdoch, and for founding USA Broadcasting. Diller's contributions to the television industry have been acknowledged with his induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1994, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in media and entertainment.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1964: Hired as an assistant by Elton Rule at ABC

In 1964, Barry Diller was hired as an assistant by Elton Rule, who was then the West Coast head of ABC. Rule was promoted to network President at the same time Diller went to work for him, and Rule took Diller to New York City. Diller was soon placed in charge of negotiating broadcast rights to feature films.

1965: Promoted to Vice President of Development at ABC

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

1974: Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures Corporation

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

1976: Paramount releases Laverne & Shirley

In 1976, under Diller's leadership, Paramount Pictures Corporation produced hit television programs such as Laverne & Shirley.

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1977: Paramount releases Saturday Night Fever

In 1977, under Diller's leadership, Paramount Pictures Corporation produced hit films such as Saturday Night Fever.

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1977: Kay Koplovitz at USA Networks

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

1978: Paramount releases Taxi and Grease

In 1978, under Diller's leadership, Paramount Pictures Corporation produced hit television programs such as Taxi, and films such as Grease.

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1981: Put together the USA Network ownership agreement

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

1981: Paramount releases Raiders of the Lost Ark

In 1981, under Diller's leadership, Paramount Pictures Corporation produced hit films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark.

1982: Paramount releases Cheers

In 1982, under Diller's leadership, Paramount Pictures Corporation produced hit television programs such as 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: Paramount releases Terms of Endearment

In 1983, under Diller's leadership, Paramount Pictures Corporation produced hit films such as Terms of Endearment.

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October 1984: Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox

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

1984: Diller leaves Paramount Pictures Corporation

In 1984, Barry Diller stepped down from his role as the chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures Corporation after ten years.

February 24, 1992: Diller announces departure from Fox

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

April 1992: Diller 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 to turn QVC into an online service

On December 11, 1992, New York Times journalist Calvin Sims reported that 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".

December 1992: Publicly noted interest in online service

In December 1992, it was publicly noted how Barry Diller saw potential in online service.

1992: Home Shopping Network split from Silver King

In 1992, the Home Shopping Network (HSN) split from Silver King, later, in August 1996, it was agreed that Silver King Broadcasting, now under Diller's leadership, would buy back the Home Shopping Network (HSN), a former Silver King asset.

1994: Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame

In 1994, Barry Diller was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the television industry.

August 1995: Acquired the assets of Silver King Broadcasting

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

1995: Diller Resigned from QVC

In 1995, Barry Diller resigned from QVC.

March 1996: Ownership of Silver Broadcasting finalized

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

August 1996: Agreed to buy back 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: Silver King Broadcasting acquired an 80% stake in HSN

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

October 1997: Acquisition of USA Network

In October 1997, Barry Diller announced the acquisition of the USA Network and other Seagram-owned Universal TV businesses for $4.1 billion, with these networks to be owned by Diller's Home Shopping Network.

1997: Eisner's confidential letter about Diller

In 1997, Michael Eisner sent a confidential letter to The Walt Disney Company board of directors during its search for a successor, according to 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: Diller assumes CEO positions at USA Networks

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

December 2001: Vivendi sale announced

In December 2001, the sale of USA Network and its assets to Vivendi was announced. Barry Diller retained the assets of the Home Shopping Network and subsequent Internet assets, which later became IAC/InterActiveCorp.

2002: Joined the board of Coca-Cola

In 2002, Barry Diller joined 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.

2012: Diller donates 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-produced Broadway shows

Since 2013, Barry Diller has co-produced more than ten Broadway shows in partnership with Scott Rudin.

2015: Diller commits to donate 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. It is stated to be the largest donation to a public park in city history.

December 2019: Expedia's CFO stepped down

In December 2019, Expedia's CFO stepped down, leading Barry Diller to take over Expedia's day-to-day operations in early 2020 alongside the vice chairman Peter Kern.

May 21, 2021: Completion of Little Island

On May 21, 2021, Little Island, a public park and performance space on a reconstructed pier 55 in the Hudson River in New York City, was completed. Diller and his wife had committed to donate $260 million toward the park in 2015.