Viacom, Inc.
Type	Public (NYSE: VIAB, VNV)
Founded	2006[1]
Headquarters	New York, New York, USA
Key people	Sumner Redstone, Chairman (through National Amusements, owns a controlling amount of voting shares) Philippe Dauman, President & CEO
Industry	Cable TV, Motion Pictures
Products	MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, more...
Revenue	▲$13. A public company usually refers to a company that is permitted to offer its registered securities ( Stock, bonds, etc The New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE) is a Stock exchange based in New York City. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The City of New York The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Sumner Murray Redstone (born Sumner Murray Rothstein; May 27 1923) is Majority owner and Chairman of the Board of the National National Amusements Inc is a privately owned media and entertainment company based in Dedham Massachusetts, USA Philippe Dauman is the President and CEO of Viacom. He has served at this post since September 2006 For other uses of this term see Industry (disambiguation An industry (from Latin industrius, "diligent industrious" In Marketing, a product is anything that can be offered to a Market that might satisfy a want or need MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. Nickelodeon (commonly referred to as Nick) is an American Cable television network owned by Viacom International, founded in 1977 as Pinwheel In business revenue or revenues is Income that a company receives from its normal business activities usually from the sale of goods and services 423$ Billion USD (2007)[1]
Net income	▲$1. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Net income is equal to the Income that a firm has after subtracting costs and Expenses from the total Revenue. 630 Billion USD (2007)
Employees	9,500 (2006)
Website	www.viacom.com

Viacom (NYSE: VIA) (NYSE: VIAB), short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with various worldwide interests in cable and satellite television networks (MTV Networks and BET), and movie production and distribution (the Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks movie studios). The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been Employment is a Contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. A website (alternatively web site or Web site, a back-construction from the Proper noun World Wide Web) is a collection of Web pages The New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE) is a Stock exchange based in New York City. The New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE) is a Stock exchange based in New York City. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A media conglomerate describes companies that own large numbers of companies in various Mass media such as Television, Radio, Publishing, Satellite television is Television delivered by the means of Communications satellites as compared to conventional Terrestrial television and Cable MTV Networks Company, also known as MTV Networks, is a division of Media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operation of many TV network Filmmaking is the process of making a Film, from an initial story idea or commission through scriptwriting shooting editing and finally distribution to an audience Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. DreamWorks LLC, also known as DreamWorks Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, or DreamWorks Studios, is a major American Film studio A movie studio (aka film studio) is in the established sense of the term a company that distributes films. Sumner Redstone is the Chairman and, through National Amusements, the majority shareholder. Sumner Murray Redstone (born Sumner Murray Rothstein; May 27 1923) is Majority owner and Chairman of the Board of the National National Amusements Inc is a privately owned media and entertainment company based in Dedham Massachusetts, USA A mutual shareholder or stockholder is an Individual or company (including a Corporation) that legally owns one or more shares of

The new Viacom (legal successor to the former Gulf+Western/Paramount Communications) is considered to be the "high-growth" side of the much larger former Viacom. Gulf and Western Industries Inc, for a number of years known as Gulf+Western, was an American conglomerate. Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. The former Viacom was renamed CBS Corporation, from which this firm was split off on December 31, 2005. Product naming is the discipline of deciding what a product will be called and is very similar in concept and approach to the process of deciding on a name for a company or organization CBS Corporation () is an American Media conglomerate focused on Broadcasting, Publishing, Billboards, and Television Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. CBS, not Viacom, retains control of the over-the-air broadcasting, TV production, and publishing assets formerly owned by the larger company. However, National Amusements remains the common majority shareholder of both firms.

History

In March 2005, the prior Viacom (now known as CBS Corporation) announced plans of looking into splitting the company into two publicly traded companies. The company was not only dealing with a stagnating stock price, but also the rivalry between Leslie Moonves and Tom Freston, longtime heads of CBS and MTV Networks respectively. Leslie Moonves (born December 23, 1948) is President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation. Thomas E Freston (born 22 November 1945) is an American television executive who most recently served as President and Chief Executive CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. MTV Networks Company, also known as MTV Networks, is a division of Media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operation of many TV network

After the departure of Mel Karmazin in 2004, Redstone, who served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, decided to split the offices of President and Chief Operating Officer between Moonves and Freston. Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin (born August 24, 1943) is an American Business executive. A chief executive officer ( CEO) or chief executive is typically the highest-ranking corporate officer ( executive) or administrator President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. A chief operating officer or chief operations officer ( COO) is a Corporate officer responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the Corporation Redstone was set to retire in the near future, and a split would be a creative solution to the matter of replacing him.

The split was approved by Viacom's board June 14, 2005, approved December 31, 2005, and effectively undid the Viacom/CBS merger of 1999. Events 1276 - While taking exile in Fuzhou in southern China, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The original Viacom changed its name to CBS Corporation and is headed by Moonves. CBS Corporation () is an American Media conglomerate focused on Broadcasting, Publishing, Billboards, and Television It now includes Viacom's "slow growth businesses", namely CBS, The CW (formerly The WB and UPN), CBS Radio, Simon & Schuster, CBS Outdoor, Showtime, CBS Records, CBS Paramount Television and most television production assets. CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. The CW Television Network ( The CW) is a Television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season. United Paramount Network ( UPN) was a Television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States and that was in production for over eleven This article is about the radio group for the radio network see CBS Radio Network. Simon & Schuster Inc, a division of CBS Corporation, is a Publisher founded in New York in 1924 by Richard L CBS Outdoor (formerly Viacom Outdoor, Infinity Outdoor, and Outdoor Systems, among others is the outdoor advertising division of Media conglomerate Showtime is a subscription television Brand used by a number of channels and platforms around the world but primarily refers to a group of channels in the United This article is about the record label founded in 2006 For the earlier CBS Records label see Columbia Records. CBS Paramount Television (formerly Desilu Productions, Paramount Television, among other companies is an American Television production

These, according to some analysts, were suffocating the growth of the MTV Networks cable businesses (the split was structured such that CBS Corporation is actually the company previously known as Viacom). At the time of the split, CBS Corporation was also given control of Paramount Parks. Paramount Parks was an operator of Theme parks and attractions which annually attracted about 13 million patrons CBS sold Paramount Parks to amusement parks management company Cedar Fair, L.P. on June 30, 2006. Theme park is the generic term for a collection of rides and other Entertainment attractions assembled for the purpose of entertaining a large group Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, legally known as Cedar Fair L Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

A new company, the present Viacom, was also spun-off and was headed by Freston. It comprises MTV Networks, BET Networks, Paramount's movie studio, and Paramount Pictures' home entertainment operations. These businesses are categorized as the high-growth businesses (MTV Networks and BET Networks in particular), and if they were split into a separate company, it could infuse new capital to allow for future acquisitions and expansion.

Sumner Redstone still controls 71 percent of the voting stock of both companies and is the chairman of both companies.

2005

In June, Viacom announced its purchase of Neopets, a virtual pet website. Neopets (originally NeoPets) is a virtual pet Website launched by Adam Powell and Donna Williams on 15 November 1999 That December, Paramount announced it would acquire DreamWorks. DreamWorks LLC, also known as DreamWorks Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, or DreamWorks Studios, is a major American Film studio All indications are that the whole of DreamWorks - both live-action film and TV studios, albeit not the DreamWorks archive - which was sold to a group led by George Soros in March 2006 - (nor the animated unit, which was not part of the deal) will remain owned by Viacom, even though CBS acquired Paramount's own TV studio. George Soros (ˈsɔroʊs or /ˈsɔrəs/ Hungarian ˈʃoroʃ (born August 12, 1930, in Budapest, Hungary, as György Schwartz) is DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc ( is an independent American Animation studio which primarily produce a series of critically and commercially successful

2006

On February 1, Paramount completed its long-awaited acquisition of DreamWorks. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen As of April 24, Viacom has obtained Xfire. Events 1479 BC - Thutmose III ascends to the throne of Egypt, although power effectively shifts to Hatshepsut (according to Xfire (pronounced X fire is a Freeware Instant messaging Service targeted at Gamers that also serves as a Game server browser and In August, just hours before announcing its most recent quarterly earnings, Viacom announced that it had acquired Atom Entertainment for $200 million. Atom Entertainment is an Internet entertainment company which operates Atom Films, Shockwave In September, Viacom acquired game developer Harmonix for $175 million dollars. Harmonix Music Systems (or simply Harmonix) is a video game development company based in Cambridge Massachusetts in the United States.

2007

In February, Viacom ordered leaked copyrighted video clips be taken off the videosharing service YouTube for copyright reasons. YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees On February 21, Viacom publicly announced they would be offering free online access to their own material through Silicon Valley's distributor Joost thanks to a thorough content licensing deal. Events 362 - Athanasius returns to Alexandria. 1245 - Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland Joost ( like "juiced" is a system for distributing recorded TV shows and other forms of video over the Web using peer-to-peer TV technology, created by Niklas

On May 21, Viacom entered into a 50-50 joint venture with Indian media company Global Broadcast News to form Viacom-18 which will house Viacom's existing channels in India - MTV, VH1 and Nick as well as Network 18's Bollywood movie business. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Global Broadcast News (GBN is an India media corporation under the Network 18 umbrella Network 18 is one of India's leading full play media Conglomerates with interests in television print internet filmed entertainment mobile content and allied businesses Bollywood (बॉलीवूड بالی وڈ is the informal term popularly used for the Mumbai -based Hindi-language Film industry in India All future Viacom content for India and new ventures such as a Hindi entertainment channel and a Hindi movie channel would be housed in this JV. Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is

On December 19, Viacom signed a five year, $500 million contract with Microsoft that included content sharing and advertisement. Events 324 - Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor. Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational Computer technology Corporation, which rose to dominate the Home computer The deal allowed Microsoft to license many shows from Viacom owned cable television and film studios for use on Xbox Live and MSN. Xbox Live (trademarked as Xbox LIVE) is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation MSN (The M icro' s' oft N etwork is a collection of Internet services provided by Microsoft. The deal also made Viacom a preferred publisher partner for casual game development and distribution through MSN and Windows. Microsoft Windows is a series of Software Operating systems and Graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. On the advertisement side of the deal, Microsoft's Atlas ad-serving division became the exclusive provider of previously unsold advertising inventory on Viacom owned web sites. Also, Microsoft purchased a large amount of advertising on Viacom owned broadcasts and online networks. Finally, Microsoft will also collaborate on promotions and sponsorships for MTV and BET award shows, two Viacom owned cable networks. MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. ^[2]

Copyright complaints against YouTube

In February 2007, Viacom sent upwards of 100,000 DMCA takedown notices to the video-sharing site YouTube, alleging large-scale copyright infringement. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA is a United States Copyright Law which implements two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees Of the 100,000, approximately 60 - 70 non-infringing videos were erroneously removed under the auspices of copyright infringement. ^[3]

On March 13, 2007, Viacom filed a US $1 billion lawsuit against Google and YouTube alleging massive copyright infringement, alleging that users frequently uploaded copyrighted material to YouTube - enough to cause a hit in revenue for Viacom and a gain in advertisement revenue for YouTube. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. In law a lawsuit is a civil action brought before a Court in which the party commencing the action the Plaintiff, seeks a legal or equitable remedy Google Inc is an American public corporation, earning revenue from advertising related to its Internet search, e-mail, online YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees 'Copyright infringement' (or copyright violation) is the unauthorized use of material that is covered by Copyright law in a manner that violates YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload view and share Video clips YouTube was created in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees ^[4]

The complaint contends that almost 160,000 unauthorized clips of Viacom’s programming have been available on YouTube and that these clips had collectively been viewed more than 1. 5 billion times.

Controversial complaints

In 2007 Viacom, claiming copyright infringment, requested the removal of a Youtube video that contained a part of their show, Web Junk 2. 0, which featured a video from Youtube that Viacom allegedly used without permission. Christopher Knight, the creator of the video, wrote in a blog post: "So Viacom took a video that I had made for non-profit purposes and without trying to acquire my permission, used it in a for-profit broadcast. Robert Christopher Knight is a Writer, filmmaker, and Blogger based in the U And then when I made a YouTube clip of what they did with my material, they charged me with copyright infringement and had YouTube pull the clip. Folks, this is, as we say down here in the South, ‘bass-ackwards. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive '"^[5] Knight subsequently filed a Digital Millennium Copyright Act counter-notification claim with YouTube. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA is a United States Copyright Law which implements two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property Two weeks later Viacom yielded to Knight and the disputed clip was restored.

Viacom International

Main article: Viacom International

As with the old Viacom, the current company owns Viacom International, which is the formal owner of copyrights associated with Viacom's corporate website and its cable networks. Viacom International Inc is a current subsidiary of Viacom (as was the case with Viacom's predecessor) This division now owns the rights to a majority of Elvis Presley films made for Paramount Pictures, such as Blue Hawaii and King Creole. Blue Hawaii is a 1961 Musical film set in the state of Hawaii and starring Elvis Presley. King Creole is an American Motion picture directed by Michael Curtiz, released by Paramount Pictures on July 2,

It also continues to focus on its own in-house productions made for its various networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, etc. ) – these programs include Dora the Explorer, Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, LazyTown, SpongeBob SquarePants, Catscratch, The Hills and Behind The Music. See also Dora the Female Explorer Dora the Explorer is an American Animated television series that is carried on the Nickelodeon Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is an Animated children's television series created by Bob Boyle. LazyTown is an Icelandic children's television program (where it is known as Latibær) that features a cast and crew from Iceland the United SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series and Media franchise. Catscratch is an American Animated television series created by Doug TenNapel (the creator of The Neverhood games company Earthworm Behind the Music was a Television series on VH1 that ran from 1997 to 2006, and continues to air sporadically with new episodes

Corporate governance

The previous board of directors of Viacom were George Abrams, Vincent Erazo, David Andelman, Joseph Califano, Jr., William Cohen, Philippe Dauman, Alan Greenberg, Charles Phillips, Shari Redstone, Sumner Redstone, Frederic Salerno, William Schwartz, and Robert D. Walter. Vincent Erazo was a previous director of the Halliburton. Although resigned after the CBS/VIACOM split David A Andelman is an American Executive editor at Forbescom and was a News reporter for the New York Times and CBS News. Joseph Anthony Califano Jr (born May 15, 1931) is As of 2005 the Chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia William Sebastian Cohen (born 28 August 1940) is an author and American politician from the U Philippe Dauman is the President and CEO of Viacom. He has served at this post since September 2006 For the film director see Alan Greenberg. Alan C "Ace" Greenberg is Chairman of the Executive Committee of The Bear Stearns Charles Phillips refers to Charles Phillips (American football player Charles Phillips (businessman Charles Phillips (figure Shari Redstone is president of National Amusements, vice-chairperson of CBS Corporation and Viacom, and on December 21, 2007 Sumner Murray Redstone (born Sumner Murray Rothstein; May 27 1923) is Majority owner and Chairman of the Board of the National Frederic Salerno is a corporate director of the Viacom Corporation William Schwartz (born 1933 is an American law professor and corporate director Robert D Walter is an American Businessman. In 1971 he purchased Cardinal Foods, a small Ohio Food Wholesaler

Following the Viacom/CBS split, the Viacom board consisted of George Abrams, Philippe Dauman, Thomas E. Dooley, Ellen V. Futter, Robert Kraft, Alan Greenberg, Charles Phillips, Sumner Redstone (Chairman), Shari Redstone (non-executive Vice-Chair), Frederic Salerno, and William Schwartz. Philippe Dauman is the President and CEO of Viacom. He has served at this post since September 2006 Thomas E Dooley is senior executive vice president and Chief administrative officer of Viacom. Ellen V Futter (born September 21, 1949) is president of the American Museum of Natural History. Robert K Kraft (born June 5, 1941 in Brookline Massachusetts) is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of The Kraft Group For the film director see Alan Greenberg. Alan C "Ace" Greenberg is Chairman of the Executive Committee of The Bear Stearns Charles Phillips refers to Charles Phillips (American football player Charles Phillips (businessman Charles Phillips (figure Sumner Murray Redstone (born Sumner Murray Rothstein; May 27 1923) is Majority owner and Chairman of the Board of the National Shari Redstone is president of National Amusements, vice-chairperson of CBS Corporation and Viacom, and on December 21, 2007 Frederic Salerno is a corporate director of the Viacom Corporation William Schwartz (born 1933 is an American law professor and corporate director

As of September 5, 2006 Tom Freston has resigned from the company. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Thomas E Freston (born 22 November 1945) is an American television executive who most recently served as President and Chief Executive He is replaced by Philippe P. Dauman.

Assets

This is a summary of the main Viacom divisions. For detailed assets see List of assets owned by Viacom. The following is a list of major Assets owned by Viacom. Prior the completion of the CBS/Viacom split at the end of 2005 the assets listed at List of assets

• Film Production and Distribution: Viacom International, Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks, Republic Pictures, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies, Go Fish Pictures
• Television Networks: Comedy Central, Logo, BET, Spike, TV Land, Nick at Nite, Nickelodeon, Noggin, The N, Nick Jr., TEENick, MTV, VH1, MTV2, CMT, MHD
• Television Production and Television Distribution: DreamWorks Television
• Video Gaming: Xfire, Harmonix, GameTrailers, Neopets
• Internet Sites: Screwattack

See also

• List of conglomerates
• Viacom (1971-2005)

References

External links

• Viacom website
• Ketupa.net - Viacom
• Viacom information by Hoover's
• Viacom profile by Yahoo!
• How logos of Viacom changed
• Split documentation - SEC filing on Form S-4 from October 5, 2005 describing the split. Hoover's Inc is a business research company that has provided information on U An SEC filing is a Financial statement or other formal document submitted to the U Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.