In 1973 , MGM Studios became a partner of the company. At the same time, CIC developed a home video distribution arm, CIC Video, and began operations in the United Kingdom. The company distributed Star Trek: The Motion Picture internationally upon its release in 1979 . In 1981 , CIC was reorganized into United International Pictures. The home video division became a joint venture of the home video divisions of Paramount and Universal, and went on to release the various Star Trek series on VHS.