Spinoffs

A spin-off is a work or corporate entity created from an existing one, drawing on its characters, settings, or intellectual property. In media, a spin-off centers on a character, location, or concept from a prior work but develops a distinct narrative or perspective. In business, a spin-off occurs when a parent company creates an independent company by distributing shares of a subsidiary or divesting a business unit. Spin-offs aim to unlock value, increase strategic focus, or leverage the original's brand while offering new opportunities.

In television, popular spin-offs include The Jeffersons from All in the Family, Frasier from Cheers, Better Call Saul from Breaking Bad, and Law & Order: SVU from Law & Order. In film and franchise universes, standalone or spin-off installments such as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story illustrate exploring parts of a larger universe without direct continuation of the main saga. In literature and video games, spin-offs extend settings or introduce new protagonists derived from a core work.

In business, notable examples include eBay's spin-off of PayPal in 2015, HP's split into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2015, and AbbVie’s separation from Abbott Laboratories in 2013. These moves are often intended to improve governance, focus, and shareholder value, though outcomes vary with market conditions and execution. Distinctions exist with prequels, sequels, remakes, and reboots; a spin-off focuses on different elements drawn from an established property rather than retelling or restarting the same story world.