News Broadcasting
Viacom board clears split into two entities
MUMBAI: Viacom’s board of directors on Tuesday approved the division of the media giant into two separate companies one built around MTV Networks and the other around CBS. The two new companies will be known as Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp.
It was also an occasion for Viacom chairman and CEO Sumner M Redstone to officially institute his succession plan by naming daughter Shari Redstone to the newly created position of non-executive vice-chairman of the board. Sumner Redstone, president of National Amusements Inc., has been a member of the Viacom board since 1994. National Amusements is the privately held movie theater firm through which Redstone controls Viacom via a stake of about 71 per cent.
As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com Redstone has been exploring the division of the company into two units in order to further unlock value. Following the spin-off, which is expected to be completed in early 2006.
Viacom Inc. will be led by Tom Freston and will be comprised of MTV Networks (including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land and many other networks around the world), BET, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment and Famous Music. CBS Corp will be led by Les Moonves and will combine the CBS and UPN broadcast networks, Viacom Television Stations Group, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, the CBS, Paramount and King World television production operations, as well as Showtime, Simon & Schuster and Paramount Parks.
Said Redstone, We celebrate our past successes by stepping forward to embrace the future. This transaction is the logical extension of the strategic vision that created Viacom and recognises the inherent diversity of our assets as well as the changing business environment.
“We believe that this transaction will enable Viacom shareholders to fully benefit from the important gains we realised in building this company by fully unlocking our significant untapped potential and creating new opportunities to build on our leadership positions, maximise earnings growth and fully exploit our considerable strengths.
I want to commend the Viacom board of directors and the Viacom management team for the careful and thorough strategic analysis that led to this important decision. The decision to create two new companies was the result of an intense study by the board, which worked closely with the companys management and carefully analysed all strategic options before reaching its conclusion.
“The board believes that the transaction will result in two strong, focused and nimble companies, and will better enable management to directly impact and maximise the strengths of their respective businesses. Additionally, the board believes that the transaction will provide current and potential stockholders with attractive investment options that are more closely aligned with their various investment objectives.
Talking about the two companies Redstone said, The new Viacom will focus on organic expansion through the creation of cutting-edge content, unrivalled brands, specialised and highly desirable demographics and the continuing expansion of delivery platforms.”
The new CBS will be a strong generator of free cash flow with industry-leading positions across television and radio broadcasting, television production and out-of-home advertising, Redstone said.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
