Hawaii Five-0 (TV Franchise)

McGarrett is the iconic protagonist of the Hawaii Five-O franchise, first appearing in the original 1968 series created by Leonard Freeman. The character, defined by his background as a Navy officer and leader of an elite state police task force, has become a staple of American pop culture. The original series, starring Jack Lord, ran for twelve seasons and was filmed entirely on location in Hawaii, pioneering the use of the islands as a primary production hub.

In 2010, the brand was revitalized with a modern reboot starring Alex O'Loughlin. While the original series was a product of Leonard Freeman Productions in association with the CBS Center, the modern franchise is managed under the television production arm of the CBS network. The brand's intellectual property has remained under the same corporate umbrella for decades, even as the parent companies underwent various mergers and name changes.

Today, the franchise and its characters are owned by Paramount Global. As a major media conglomerate, Paramount oversees the distribution and licensing of both the classic and rebooted content through its subsidiaries, including CBS Studios. The series remains a significant asset within the Paramount portfolio, contributing to the global recognition of the CBS brand and Hawaii as a premier filming destination.