One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Chinese TV Maker Buys Naming Rights To Grauman's Chinese Theatre
The theater formerly known as Grauman's (Photo by ScottM9000 via the LAist Featured Photos pool)
A Chinese TV maker has purchased the rights to name the iconic Hollywood theater formerly known as "Grauman's Chinese Theatre." From now on, the theater celebrating its 85th anniversary will be known as "TCL Chinese Theatre."
TCL paid $5 million for the rights to the theater known for its high-profile premieres and red carpet, according to the Los Angeles Times. Hao Yi, vice president of TCL Group, hinted at the cross-cultural connection between Hollywood and its biggest overseas market: "It can be a bridge to link the cultures of China and North America."
And in a way the theater is coming full circle. The Times notes that its construction was overseen by Chinese poet and film director Moon Quon. Temple bells, pagodas, stone Heaven Dogs and other artifacts were imported from China for its construction. Sid Grauman, as well as silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, financed its construction.
Current owners Donald Kushner and Elie Samaha acquired the theater 18 months ago from Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures' parent Viacom Inc. They said that selling off the naming rights will help them maintain and promote the theater. In a statement, they said, "This is a monumental day. The milestone relationship between TCL and the Chinese Theatre will allow us to do many of the upgrades and the preservation projects we earmarked."
TCL for its part is hoping to expand into the U.S. and market its flat screen TVs.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
