Mobil began underwriting sponsorship with "Masterpiece Theatre" in 1971. In 1996, the show was renamed "Mobil Masterpiece Theatre", which stayed until 2000. When ExxonMobil took over sponsorship in 2000, the show was renamed "ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre". The same year, "Masterpiece Theatre" celebrated its 30th anniversary, and produced a spinoff titled "ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre's American Collection".
