Address:
Viacom Inc.
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10030

Click here to find the company
Phone:  (212) 258-6000
Fax:  (212) 258-6354
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Profile:

Viacom is a vast company with many products and services.  Some of the "well-known brands" are:  CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Viacom Outdoor, Infinity, UPN, TNN: The National Network, CMT: Country Music Television, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster.  www.viacom.com

 
 
CBS Television Network has over 200 stations which house some of TV's best shows.  "The Young and the Restless has been a number one show in daytime drama for over 12 consecutive years."  www.cbs.com

 
MTV Networks is one of the greatest channels ever known to many teenagers of today and the past two decades.  They provide entertainment shows and especially music videos. MTV owns all of the companies shown below which can all be viewed on cable television.  "MTV Networks owns and operates many of the most popular basic cable television programming services."  www.mtv.com

 
 

"BET is comprised of Black Entertainment Television, the largest national cable network serving African Americans, reaching 66 million U.S. households; BET on Jazz: The Jazz Channel, the country's only 24-hour network devoted to jazz music; BET International, which reaches 30 countries in Europe and 36 countries in Africa; BET's publishing unit, BET Books; BET Pictures, which produces made-for-TV movies and documentaries; and BET.com, the leading online destination for African Americans."  www.bet.com

"Paramount Television is one of the largest suppliers of television programming for the broadcast, first-run syndication, and cable markets, with over 55,000 hours of programming in its library. Its six production units are Paramount Network Television, Viacom Productions, Spelling Television, Big Ticket Television, Paramount Domestic Television, and Paramount International Television."   Visit Paramount

"CBS Enterprises is a global leader in distribution. Its domestic syndication arm, King World Productions Inc., sells first-run programming such as Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Its off-network slate includes the hit CBS series Everybody Loves Raymond. Outside the U.S., CBS Broadcast International is one of the premier distributors of U.S. network series programming, while its subsidiary King World International Productions is a leader in format sales and local production worldwide." Play Jeopardy!

"United Paramount Network (UPN) reaches more than 86% of U.S. television homes through its affiliated stations, and broadcasts ten hours of original, primetime programming each week. Popular programs include WWF Smackdown! and The Parkers, and, debuting this fall, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roswell, and the latest installment in the Star Trek franchise Enterprise." WWF Smackdown

"Showtime Networks (SNI) owns the premium television networks Showtime, The Movie Channel, and FLIX. SNI operates and manages the premium television network Sundance Channel, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford, and Universal Studios. SNI also markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis."   Check out the Sundance Channel

"Viacom Television Stations Group consists of 34 television stations, reaching the 15 of the top 20 television markets in the United States. The Group includes 16 owned-and-operated CBS stations and 18 UPN-affiliated stations. The Viacom Television Stations Group includes duopolies in seven major markets, with CBS and UPN stations in Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Miami, and Pittsburgh."

"Comedy Central, the country’s only all-comedy network, is jointly owned by Viacom and HBO and presents the biggest comedy stars from the past and present along with today’s hottest newcomers."  www.comedycentral.com

"Viacom Plus is the company's integrated sales and marketing arm. The group's mission is to create long-term marketing partnerships that build brands and drive revenue for both clients and the company."

RADIO AND OUTDOOR

"Infinity Broadcasting is the radio and outdoor advertising unit of Viacom Inc. Infinity Radio, the unit's radio division, operates over 180 radio stations, the majority of which are in the nation's largest markets.

Viacom Outdoor, Infinity's outdoor advertising division, has properties across North America & Europe including the top 100 markets in the U.S. Infinity also manages and holds an equity position in Westwood One, Inc."   Infinity Broadcasting
 

MOTION PICTURES AND THEATRICAL EXHIBITION 

"Paramount Pictures, one of the original major motion picture studios, has been a leading producer and distributor of feature films since 1912. Its more than 2,500-title library includes Oscar winners such as Forrest Gump, Braveheart, and Titanic (the highest-grossing motion picture of all time) and recent hits Mission: Impossible 2, What Women Want, and Save the Last Dance.

Paramount Home Entertainment, a global leader in the distribution of filmed entertainment on videocassette and DVD, distributes theatrical releases from Paramount Pictures, Paramount Classics, Nickelodeon Movies, and MTV Films as well as non-theatrical releases both in the U.S. and abroad. Recent successes in the U.S. and Canada include Runaway Bride, Double Jeopardy, and The General’s Daughter on videocassette and DVD.

Famous Players, founded in 1920, is Canada's top-grossing, fastest-growing, and longest-operating theatrical exhibitor. The Toronto-based company offers audiences the best possible theatrical film experience through its 102 locations with 884 screens throughout Canada, including theaters in its joint venture with IMAX and its partnership with Alliance Atlantis.

United International Pictures (UIP), in which Viacom has a 33% interest, handles general distribution of Paramount Pictures’ films outside the United States and Canada.

United Cinemas International (UCI), a joint venture between Viacom and Universal, operates approximately 868 screens in 104 theaters in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Argentina, Brazil, and Panama, and is one of the largest operators of multiplex theaters outside the United States.

Viacom Consumer Products is a leader in the entertainment licensing arena, merchandising properties on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Viacom Productions, and Spelling Television, as well as third-party properties.

Famous Music Publishing is one of the top ten music publishers in the United States and one of the world's major suppliers of music to all mediums. Its diversified catalog of over 100,000 copyrights spans seven decades and includes music from Oscar-winning motion pictures such as The Godfather, Forrest Gump, and Titanic as well as every genre of contemporary music, including hits written or recorded by Blondie, Bush, Montell Jordan, Garth Brooks, Ricky Martin, Eric Clapton, Whitney Houston, and Barbra Streisand."

VIDEO

"Blockbuster is the world's leading renter of videos, DVDs, and video games with nearly 7,800 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. More than 2 million customers visit a Blockbuster store each day."  Visit Blockbuster

INTERNET

"The MTVi Group is the world's leading online music entertainment company, featuring a comprehensive collection of music destinations on the Internet. The MTVi Group's 21 worldwide destinations include MTV.com, VH1.com, and Sonicnet.com. Liberty Digital holds a minority stake in The MTVi Group.

CBS.com and CBSNews.com, CBS's branded online offerings, promote and complement on-air programming, including Survivor, CSI, Everybody Loves Raymond, and 60 Minutes.

Nickelodeon Online is the leading portfolio of kids and parents' destinations, featuring Nick.com, Nickjr.com, nick-at-nite.com,tvland.com, teachers.nick.com, and gas.nick.com.

Viacom Interactive Ventures manages an Internet portfolio that includes equity relationships with over a dozen Web sites, including CBS.MarketWatch.com, CBS.SportsLine.com, Hollywood.com, Switchboard.com, and the free-cash Internet portal iWon.com."

PUBLISHING

"Simon & Schuster publishes more than 2,100 titles annually under 38 well-known trade, mass market, children's, and new media imprints. The division published 99 New York Times Best Sellers in 2001, including 14 at No.1."

PARKS

"Paramount Parks is one of the largest theme park companies in the world and entertains approximately 13 million visitors annually at its five North American theme parks and interactive attraction Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton."
 
 

*All information found in this section can also be found on the Viacom website



Financial Data:
    The annual income for Viacom in 2001 was $23.22 billion.  This was an increase of 16% in revenues.

Number of Employees: 126,820

Ticker Symbol:  VIA
Traded on the NYSE
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I think Viacom is a great company and considering their earnings for 2001, it looks as though they are increasing their revenues very rapidly.  This company knows how to stay ahead in a very competitive industry and I do not think they will be closing their doors anytime soon.



History:


Officers:
SUMNER M. REDSTONE 
Age: 76        Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Viacom Inc.
                   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, National Amusements, Inc.

    "Sumner M. Redstone is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom Inc.  Under his leadership, Viacom has become one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music.
                   Mr. Redstone has been Chairman of the Board of Viacom Inc. since June 1987, when National Amusements, Inc. acquired a controlling interest in the New York-based company. In January 1996, Mr. Redstone took on additional responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer of Viacom. Mr. Redstone has been Chairman of the Board of National Amusements since 1986, and Chief Executive Officer of National Amusements since July 1967. He was President of National Amusements from July 1967 to December 1999.
                   Viacom's properties include the CBS Network, MTV Networks, BET, Showtime Networks, Infinity Broadcasting, TDI Worldwide and Infinity Outdoor, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Paramount Parks, UPN, Blockbuster, Simon & Schuster, and theatrical exhibition operations in North America and abroad. The company's Internet businesses include the MTVi Group, the CBS Internet Group, and Nickelodeon Online. Viacom also owns a half-interest in    the Comedy Central cable channel. National Amusements, Inc., a closely held corporation which operates approximately 1,300 motion picture screens in the U.S., the U.K., and South America, is the parent company of Viacom.
                   Mr. Redstone has played a significant role in the affairs of the entertainment and communications industries. He has served as Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Theatre Owners, and currently is a member of the Executive Committee of that organization. Before that, he was President of the Theatre Owners of America, which was then the major trade association representing motion picture exhibitors. He also is a member of the Advisory Council for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation and on the Board of Trustees for The Museum of Television and Radio.
                   Mr. Redstone enjoys and takes pride in teaching college men and women. He is affiliated with Harvard Law School and Brandeis University, where he is a Visiting Professor. While serving as a Law Clerk in the Court of Appeals, Mr. Redstone taught at the University of San Francisco. In 1982, he joined the faculty of the Boston University School of Law, where he created one of the nation's first courses in entertainment law. In May 1994, Mr. Redstone received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Boston University.
                   Mr. Redstone also devotes a large portion of his time and energy to civic and community affairs. He has served as the Chairman of the Jimmy Fund (Children's Cancer Research Foundation), and was a member of the Corporation of the New England Medical Center. He is a member of the Board of Overseers of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and is a Founding Trustee of the Foundation of the American Cancer Society. He served as State Crusade Chairman for the American Cancer Society from 1984 to 1986, and currently serves as Vice     President, as well as a member of the Executive Committee, of the Will Rogers Memorial Fund.
                   He is a member of the Corporation of the Massachusetts General Hospital and is on the Board of Overseers of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston. Mr. Redstone is a former Chairman of the Metropolitan Division of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies.
                   During the Carter Administration, he was appointed a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee of the Arts for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and in 1984, was appointed a Director of the Kennedy Presidential Library Foundation. He also has served as a judge on the Foundation's select committee to award the annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, each year since the Award's inception in 1990.
                   Mr. Redstone began his career as Law Secretary with the U.S. Court of Appeals, and then served as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General. Subsequently, he was a partner with the law firm of Ford, Bergson, Adams, Borkland and Redstone in Washington, D.C. In 1954, he joined National Amusements, Inc., which he then organized into the successful company it is today. Based in Dedham, Massachusetts, National Amusements is one of the largest motion picture circuits in the United States.
                   Mr. Redstone served in the Military Intelligence Division during World War II. While a student at Harvard, he was selected by Japanese history professor Edwin Reischauer (later Ambassador to Japan) to join a special intelligence group whose mission was to break Japan's high-level military and diplomatic codes. In connection with these activities, Mr. Redstone received, among other honors, two commendations from the Military Intelligence Division in recognition of his service, contribution and devotion to duty. He is also a recipient of the Army Commendation Award.
                   Mr. Redstone's education began at Boston Latin School, where he graduated first in his class. In 1944, after studying for two and one-half years at Harvard College, he was awarded a degree by Harvard University's Special Board of Overseers. In 1947, Mr. Redstone received his LL.B. from the Harvard University School of Law.
                   Throughout his career, Mr. Redstone has received many awards, including the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Ripple of Hope Award, the International Radio and Television Society Gold Medal Award, and National Conference of Christians and Jews Humanitarian Award, all of which were awarded in 1998."  This information was found here

More about Sumner Redstone

MEL KARMAZIN 
Age:  56                         President and Chief Operating Officer, Viacom Inc.

"Mel Karmazin became President and Chief Operating Officer of Viacom Inc. in May 2000, upon the merger of Viacom and CBS. He had served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation since January 1999.

            Mr. Karmazin, who serves on the Viacom Board of Directors, is responsible for overseeing all of Viacom's operations. Viacom Inc. is one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, and music.
            While at the helm of CBS, Mr. Karmazin's accomplishments included building a portfolio of over 160 major-market radio stations, along with the nation's premier outdoor advertising companies; engineering the largest IPO in media history at the time (the spin-off of Infinity Broadcasting); and investing in Internet properties such as CBS MarketWatch, CBS SportsLine, and iWon.com, among others. During his tenure, the CBS Television Network also orchestrated a dramatic turnaround.
            Mr. Karmazin had been President and Chief Operating Officer, CBS Corporation, since April 1998, involved in all aspects of the corporation's media business. He joined CBS in January 1997 as Chairman and CEO, CBS Radio, through a merger of Westinghouse/CBS and Infinity Broadcasting, where he had served as President and CEO from 1981 until Infinity became a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom in February 2001. He was named Chairman and CEO, CBS Station Group (Radio and Television), in May 1997.
            While at CBS, Mr. Karmazin was behind major programming deals such as the network's reacquisition of rights to National Football League broadcasts. Such initiatives help assure free access to popular programming for viewers nationwide. In addition to being a tireless advocate of free, over-the-air broadcasting, through his role in the creation of the Prism Fund Mr. Karmazin is helping to create greater opportunities for minority ownership of media outlets, and he has directed CBS's efforts to ensure minority participation in all areas of broadcasting–both in front of and behind the cameras, and at the executive level as well.
            Mr. Karmazin serves on the Board of Directors of Westwood One, and the New York Stock Exchange, and is Vice Chairman of the Museum of Television and Radio. He was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame, and has received the National Association of Broadcasters National Radio Award and the IRTS Gold Medal Award. He is a graduate of Pace University." This information was found here

More about Mel Karmazin



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March 6, 2002
Jamie Thrower