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The corporate entity that eventually became Viacom Inc. originated as CBS Television Film Sales, established in 1952.
Answer: True
The precursor to Viacom was CBS Television Film Sales, founded on March 16, 1952, serving as the broadcast syndication division of the CBS television network.
The appellation "Viacom" is derived from the phrase "Video & Audio Communications"; however, the company did not officially adopt this name in 1952.
Answer: True
The name "Viacom" originates from "Video & Audio Communications." While the division was incorporated as Viacom in July 1970, it officially commenced operations as an independent entity on January 1, 1971.
Viacom was divested from CBS in 1971 due to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that prohibited television networks from owning syndication entities.
Answer: True
Viacom was spun off from CBS on January 1, 1971, due to FCC regulations prohibiting television networks from owning syndication companies, although these rules were later repealed.
The original purpose of CBS Television Film Sales was not to produce original content for the CBS network, but rather to handle the broadcast syndication of television programs.
Answer: True
The original purpose of CBS Television Film Sales was the broadcast syndication of television programs.
Prior to the significant acquisitions of the 1990s, Viacom's primary business activities were centered on television program distribution and the operation of cable systems, not movie theaters.
Answer: True
Before the 1990s, Viacom's primary business was operating as a distributor of television programs and owning cable systems.
The original mandate of CBS Television Film Sales was indeed the broadcast syndication of television programs.
Answer: True
The original purpose of CBS Television Film Sales was the broadcast syndication of television programs.
What was the initial designation and primary function of the corporate entity that ultimately evolved into Viacom Inc.?
Answer: CBS Television Film Sales, the broadcast syndication division of CBS.
The entity that preceded Viacom Inc. was CBS Television Film Sales, established in 1952. Its principal role was to serve as the broadcast syndication arm of the CBS television network.
In what year did the corporate entity officially adopt the name "Viacom," derived from "Video & Audio Communications"?
Answer: January 1, 1971
The name "Viacom" was officially adopted when the company was spun off from CBS on January 1, 1971.
What specific regulatory mandate precipitated Viacom's divestiture from CBS in 1971?
Answer: FCC rules prohibiting television networks from owning syndication companies.
Viacom was spun off from CBS in 1971 due to FCC rules that prohibited television networks from owning syndication companies.
Prior to its substantial acquisitions in the 1990s, including Paramount Communications, what constituted Viacom's primary business focus?
Answer: Distributing television programs and owning cable systems.
Before its significant acquisitions in the 1990s, Viacom primarily operated as a distributor of television programs and owned cable systems.
Viacom's significant acquisitions during a key growth period included Paramount Communications and Blockbuster Video, but not the Walt Disney Company.
Answer: True
Viacom's major acquisitions under Sumner Redstone included Paramount Communications and Blockbuster Video, but not the Walt Disney Company.
The 1994 acquisition of Paramount Communications by Viacom represented a pivotal moment, substantially broadening its asset portfolio and solidifying its position as a preeminent entertainment conglomerate.
Answer: True
The acquisition of Paramount Communications in 1994 significantly expanded Viacom's portfolio and established it as a major entertainment entity.
Viacom's acquisition of CBS Corporation in 2000 effectively reunited the two entities and integrated CBS's cable channels, such as TNN and CMT, into Viacom's operational structure.
Answer: True
Viacom's 2000 acquisition of CBS Corporation reunited the two companies, bringing CBS's cable channels under Viacom's control.
In 1995, Viacom divested its cable television division, which served approximately 1.1 million subscribers, to TCI.
Answer: True
Viacom sold its cable television division, serving over a million subscribers, in 1995.
In June 2004, Viacom's MTV Networks International completed the acquisition of VIVA Media AG, a German media entity.
Answer: True
Viacom acquired VIVA Media AG, a German media company, in June 2004.
Viacom completed the divestiture of its stake in the Blockbuster Video chain in October 2004.
Answer: True
Viacom spun off its interest in Blockbuster Video in October 2004.
Viacom's initial significant entry into the radio market occurred in 1980 with the acquisition of stations from Sonderling Broadcasting, not in 1971.
Answer: True
Viacom's entry into the radio market occurred in 1980 through the acquisition of stations from Sonderling Broadcasting.
Following its 1994 acquisition of Paramount Communications, Viacom gained rights to various productions, including those associated with Aaron Spelling's entities.
Answer: True
Viacom acquired rights to Aaron Spelling's productions after its 1994 purchase of Paramount Communications.
Viacom divested from the broadcast radio business in 1997, but subsequently re-entered radio operations through acquisitions, notably Infinity Broadcasting.
Answer: True
Viacom exited the broadcast radio business in 1997 but later returned to operating radio stations.
Subsequent to the 2000 merger with CBS Corporation, the cable channels TNN and CMT were integrated into Viacom's MTV Networks division.
Answer: True
TNN and CMT were integrated into Viacom's MTV Networks wing following the 2000 merger with CBS Corporation.
In 1994, Viacom acquired Paramount Communications, the parent entity of Paramount Pictures, not the other way around.
Answer: True
Viacom acquired Paramount Communications in 1994, which was then the parent company of Paramount Pictures.
In 1995, Viacom Cable, which served approximately 1.1 million subscribers, was sold to Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI).
Answer: True
Viacom Cable had approximately 1.1 million subscribers when it was sold to TCI in 1995.
Viacom's acquisition of CBS Corporation, announced in 1999, was valued at approximately $35.9 billion, not $10 billion.
Answer: True
Viacom's acquisition of CBS Corporation in 1999 was valued at approximately $35.9 billion.
Viacom's acquisition of MTV Networks in 1985, completed in 1986, signified Viacom's strategic expansion into the broader mass media sector.
Answer: True
Viacom acquired MTV Networks in 1985, marking a significant expansion into mass media.
Identify the entity that was NOT among Viacom's significant acquisitions during the period of Sumner Redstone's leadership.
Answer: The Walt Disney Company
Viacom's major acquisitions under Sumner Redstone included Paramount Communications, Blockbuster Video, and BET Holdings, but not the Walt Disney Company.
Which prominent film studio became part of Viacom's portfolio following the 1994 acquisition?
Answer: Paramount Pictures
In 1994, Viacom acquired Paramount Communications, which was the parent company of Paramount Pictures.
Until what year did Viacom operate its own cable television systems?
Answer: 1995
Viacom operated its own cable television systems until 1995.
In 2004, MTV Networks International, a division of Viacom, acquired which German media company?
Answer: VIVA Media AG
In 2004, Viacom's MTV Networks International acquired VIVA Media AG, a German media company.
In October 2004, Viacom finalized the divestiture of its interest in which prominent video rental chain?
Answer: Blockbuster Video
Viacom completed the spin-off of its interest in Blockbuster Video in October 2004.
Which radio stations constituted the Sonderling Broadcasting acquisition by Viacom in 1980?
Answer: Stations in New York City, Washington D.C., Houston, and San Francisco.
As part of the 1980 Sonderling Broadcasting deal, Viacom acquired radio stations in New York City, Washington D.C., Houston, and San Francisco.
Following the 2000 merger with CBS Corporation, which cable channels, formerly under CBS, were integrated into Viacom's MTV Networks division?
Answer: TNN and Country Music Television (CMT)
After the 2000 merger with CBS Corporation, Viacom integrated CBS's cable channels TNN and Country Music Television (CMT) into its MTV Networks wing.
Prior to its 2005 corporate division, Viacom possessed ownership of the Paramount Pictures film studio and prominent cable channels such as MTV and Nickelodeon.
Answer: True
At the time of its 2005 split, Viacom's assets included the Paramount Pictures film studio and cable channels like MTV and Nickelodeon.
Viacom Network Enterprises was established in 1987 with the mandate to manage the company's pay-per-view services and engage in strategic planning for its non-cable ventures.
Answer: True
Viacom Network Enterprises was created in 1987 to manage the company's pay-per-view service and strategic planning for ventures outside its core cable business.
Viacom Pictures was established in 1989 with the primary objective of producing feature films, predominantly for the Showtime network.
Answer: True
Viacom established Viacom Pictures in 1989 to produce feature films, primarily for Showtime.
At the time of its 2005 corporate division, Viacom's primary broadcast networks were CBS and UPN, not ABC and NBC.
Answer: True
At the time of its 2005 split, Viacom's primary broadcast networks were CBS and UPN.
Simon & Schuster, a prominent book publisher, constituted a key asset within Viacom's portfolio prior to its 2005 corporate division.
Answer: True
Simon & Schuster was a key asset owned by Viacom before its 2005 split.
Following its acquisition, BET was initially integrated into MTV Networks but was later reorganized into its own division, BET Networks, indicating it did not remain permanently integrated.
Answer: True
Following its acquisition, BET was integrated into MTV Networks but was later separated into its own division, BET Networks.
Viacom partnered with Chris-Craft Industries, not NBCUniversal, to launch the UPN network in 1995.
Answer: True
Viacom partnered with Chris-Craft Industries to launch the UPN network in 1995.
Westinghouse Licensing Corporation operated as an intellectual property holding subsidiary of Viacom, primarily engaged in brand licensing activities.
Answer: True
Westinghouse Licensing Corporation was a subsidiary focused on licensing Viacom's intellectual property.
Established in 1987, Viacom Network Enterprises was tasked with managing properties and ventures that fell outside Viacom's primary cable television operations.
Answer: True
Viacom Network Enterprises was established in 1987 to manage properties outside Viacom's core cable business.
The UPN network, which commenced operations in January 1995, was established as a joint venture between Viacom and Chris-Craft Industries.
Answer: True
The UPN network, launched in January 1995, was a joint venture involving Viacom and Chris-Craft Industries.
Identify the entity that was NOT part of Viacom's asset portfolio immediately preceding its 2005 corporate division.
Answer: NBC Universal
At the time of its 2005 split, Viacom's assets included MTV, Showtime, and Paramount Pictures, but not NBC Universal.
What was the principal function of Viacom Network Enterprises, established in 1987?
Answer: Developing and exploiting properties outside Viacom's core cable business.
Viacom Network Enterprises was established in 1987 to develop and exploit properties outside Viacom's core cable business.
Viacom Pictures, established in 1989, was primarily created to produce what category of content?
Answer: Feature films, mainly for Showtime
Viacom established Viacom Pictures in 1989 primarily to produce feature films, mainly for Showtime.
Identify a primary broadcast network that was under Viacom's ownership immediately preceding the 2005 corporate division.
Answer: UPN
UPN was a primary broadcast network owned by Viacom just before the 2005 split.
Which prominent book publisher constituted a significant component of Viacom's asset portfolio before the 2005 division?
Answer: Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster was a significant book publisher part of Viacom's asset portfolio prior to the 2005 split.
Following Viacom's acquisition of BET Holdings in 2001, what was the subsequent organizational structure of BET?
Answer: It was separated into its own division, BET Networks, after initial integration.
After Viacom acquired BET Holdings in 2001, BET was initially integrated into MTV Networks but was later separated into its own division, BET Networks.
Viacom initiated the launch of the UPN network in January 1995 through a joint venture with which corporate entity?
Answer: Chris-Craft Industries
Viacom launched the UPN network in January 1995 as a joint venture with Chris-Craft Industries.
Viacom underwent an official corporate separation into two distinct entities, CBS Corporation and Viacom, on December 31, 2005.
Answer: True
Viacom officially split into two companies, CBS Corporation and Viacom, on December 31, 2005.
Following the 2005 corporate division, the entity designated as the legal successor to the original Viacom Inc. was the second CBS Corporation, not the second Viacom.
Answer: True
The second CBS Corporation was structured as the legal successor to the original Viacom Inc. after the 2005 split.
Subsequent to the 2005 corporate division, the second Viacom entity assumed control of assets such as MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures, while the second CBS Corporation retained the CBS broadcast network and Simon & Schuster.
Answer: True
After the 2005 split, the second Viacom took ownership of MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures, while the second CBS Corporation retained the CBS broadcast network and Simon & Schuster.
The announcement in March 2005 regarding Viacom's intention to split was primarily motivated by a desire to address a stagnating stock price by separating high-growth divisions from slower-growth assets, not solely to divest underperforming cable systems.
Answer: True
Viacom announced its intention to split in March 2005 primarily to address a stagnating stock price by separating high-growth divisions from slow-growth assets.
Beyond financial considerations, internal rivalries among key executives and the controversy surrounding the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show were identified as contributing factors to the 2005 Viacom corporate division.
Answer: True
Internal rivalries and the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy were cited as factors contributing to the 2005 Viacom split.
The 2005 corporate division of Viacom was strategically designed to segregate its high-growth divisions from its slower-growth assets, addressing concerns about stock performance.
Answer: True
The 2005 split of Viacom was intended to separate its high-growth divisions from its slow-growth assets.
The year 2005 is notable as it marked the announcement and subsequent completion of Viacom's division into two distinct companies: the second CBS Corporation and the second Viacom, finalized on December 31, 2005.
Answer: True
The year 2005 is significant for Viacom's corporate structure because it marked the company's division into two entities.
On what specific date did Viacom officially undergo its corporate division into two separate entities?
Answer: December 31, 2005
Viacom officially divided into two separate companies on December 31, 2005.
Following the 2005 corporate division, which entity was designated as the legal successor to the original Viacom Inc.?
Answer: The second CBS Corporation
The second CBS Corporation became the legal successor to the original Viacom Inc. after the 2005 split.
Identify the assets that were retained by the second CBS Corporation subsequent to the 2005 Viacom division.
Answer: CBS, Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Network Television
After the 2005 split, the second CBS Corporation retained assets like CBS, Simon & Schuster, and Paramount Network Television.
Beyond a stagnating stock price, what other factors contributed to the impetus for Viacom's 2005 corporate division?
Answer: Internal rivalries and controversy surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show.
The 2005 split of Viacom was driven by several factors, including a stagnating stock price and internal rivalries and controversy surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show.
CBS Corporation and Viacom re-consolidated in 2019, with the resultant entity initially operating under the name ViacomCBS, not Paramount Global.
Answer: True
CBS Corporation and Viacom re-merged in 2019, initially operating under the name ViacomCBS.
The corporate entity resulting from the 2019 re-merger was renamed Paramount Global, this occurred in February 2022.
Answer: True
The company formed by the 2019 re-merger was renamed Paramount Global in February 2022.
The 2019 re-merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom resulted in a combined entity initially named ViacomCBS, not ParamountCBS.
Answer: True
The 2019 re-merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom resulted in a company initially named ViacomCBS.
What was the initial corporate designation of the entity formed subsequent to the re-merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom in late 2019?
Answer: ViacomCBS
The initial name of the combined company formed after CBS Corporation and Viacom re-merged in late 2019 was ViacomCBS.
What is the current corporate name of the media conglomerate, established via the 2019 re-merger, which was adopted in February 2022?
Answer: Paramount Global
The company formed by the 2019 re-merger was renamed Paramount Global in February 2022.
Ralph Baruch is credited as the founder of Viacom and served as its inaugural Chairman, not CEO.
Answer: True
Ralph Baruch founded Viacom and held the position of its inaugural Chairman.
Sumner Redstone secured controlling interest in Viacom in 1987 via his ownership of National Amusements.
Answer: True
Sumner Redstone acquired a controlling interest in Viacom in 1987 through his ownership of National Amusements.
National Amusements, under the control of Sumner Redstone, held a majority voting interest in Viacom, not a minority one.
Answer: True
National Amusements, controlled by Sumner Redstone, held a majority voting interest in Viacom.
The pronunciation "VIE-uh-com" was favored by the company's founder, Ralph Baruch, whereas Sumner Redstone favored a different pronunciation after his acquisition.
Answer: True
The pronunciation "VIE-uh-com" was favored by founder Ralph Baruch, while Sumner Redstone favored "VY-uh-com" after his acquisition.
National Amusements, under the control of the Redstone family, exerted majority voting power over Viacom, holding approximately 80% of its voting stock.
Answer: True
National Amusements held a majority voting power in Viacom, owning 80% of its voting stock.
Who is recognized as the founder of Viacom, and what was his inaugural role within the organization?
Answer: Ralph Baruch, Inaugural Chairman
Ralph Baruch is credited as the founder of Viacom and served as its inaugural Chairman.
Via which corporate entity did Sumner Redstone secure a controlling interest in Viacom in 1987?
Answer: National Amusements
Sumner Redstone acquired a controlling interest in Viacom in 1987 through his ownership of National Amusements.
What was the specific role of National Amusements within Viacom's corporate structure?
Answer: It was controlled by the Redstone family and held majority voting control.
National Amusements, controlled by the Redstone family, held majority voting control in Viacom.
Which pronunciation of the name "Viacom" was favored by the company's founder, Ralph Baruch?
Answer: VIE-uh-com
The pronunciation "VIE-uh-com" was favored by the company's founder, Ralph Baruch.