CBS and Viacom agree to reunite in a merger deal worth $12 billion

[TMC]

https://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...mount-pictures

The merger puts CBS under the same umbrella with MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, TV Land and other Viacom cable channels for the first time since 2006. "CBS, which is the larger of the two companies and worth $18.5 billion, will absorb the smaller Viacom, which owns such assets as MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central and the Paramount Pictures movie studio in Hollywood," reports the Los Angeles Times. "The new company will be called ViacomCBS Inc., in a nod to the legacy of Sumner Redstone, the ailing 96-year-old media titan who built an empire from a small chain of drive-in movie theaters in the Northeast." ALSO: The merger brings together Cheers, South Park, Star Trek, SpongeBob SquarePants, Taxi, Mork & Mindy and The Brady Bunch.

[mikey0581]

Maybe with this merger, Nick and Nite and Tvland can be something better like it was in the glory days when CBS and Viacom were together then. One can hope?

[Tubehead]

i hadn't watch nick at night in years! ever cents they cut off family ties the wonder years sanford & son family matters & home improvement!! i don't hardly watch tv land! i think they show too many westerns & not so classic tv shows!! last time i remember watching nick at night was when home improvement was on! i did watch it several years when they aired hanging with mr cooper!! but then it came on liked at 1:00 am to 3:00 am then at 6:00am! then they cut it off!! it didn't stay on but for couple months!! i don't think friends or the office should be on nick at night!! i think they should air some of the 1990 shows liked boy meets world or step by step!! ! last time i watch tv land when they aired batman with adam west!! that was right after i got out of high school!! ! some times i watch it for the goldbergs!! other then that i don't watch tv land or nick at night!! I also really hadn't been watching nicktoons!! they don't show any good shows any more !! i got all of the nickelodeon's 2014 teeange mutant ninja turtlers on dvd!! & i don't liked rise of the ninja turtlers!! I also didn't care too much for power rangers best morphers!! i enjoy ninja steel & super ninja steel better!! ! im kind of waiting to see if there going to repeat best morphers in liked marthorns !! it also seems liked they cut back on three Anmited shows & now showing live aciton shows! they had the dude project, i don't liked it much!! its more about sports! I don't liked the Anmited cartoon of henry danger!! i would rather just watch the live show!! i wish they would gave spoung bob an rest!! enjoyed it when they aired kung fu panda late night!! or at least switch it up an bit & show different nick toon!! i think i enjoy disney xd now more then nicktoons!! i also if you guys looking for kids channel check out universal kids! i been watching totally spies its Anmited tv serise!!!! they got live action shows for kids liked American ninja warrior for kids!! & the voice kids!!

[Sal]

Originally Posted by TMC

https://www.latimes.com/entertainmen...mount-pictures

The merger puts CBS under the same umbrella with MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, TV Land and other Viacom cable channels for the first time since 2006. "CBS, which is the larger of the two companies and worth $18.5 billion, will absorb the smaller Viacom, which owns such assets as MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central and the Paramount Pictures movie studio in Hollywood," reports the Los Angeles Times. "The new company will be called ViacomCBS Inc., in a nod to the legacy of Sumner Redstone, the ailing 96-year-old media titan who built an empire from a small chain of drive-in movie theaters in the Northeast." ALSO: The merger brings together Cheers, South Park, Star Trek, SpongeBob SquarePants, Taxi, Mork & Mindy and The Brady Bunch.

You can also include "I Love Lucy" and "The Andy Griffith Show" and other shows that were part of the Desilu studios before Lucy sold them to Paramount in 1968.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by mikey0581

Maybe with this merger, Nick and Nite and Tvland can be something better like it was in the glory days when CBS and Viacom were together then. One can hope?

ViacomCBS: Cable Channels Make Up a Mixed Bag

The programming strategies for Viacom’s cable channels have evolved amid changes in leadership and direction in recent years. Here’s where they currently stand.

Comedy Central

Comedy Central is anchored by legacy franchises like its stand up specials, “The Daily Show,” “South Park,” “Tosh.0,” and “Drunk History.” In terms of ratings, the network notched a modest 1% increase in total day adults 18-49 in Q2 of this year, but also nabbed 1.7 billion social streams in the same time frame, its best quarter ever in that measure. Meanwhile, “South Park” is preparing to enters its 23rd season, which will also see the adult animated comedy cross the 300 episode mark. The network has also launched well-received shows like “The Other Two” and “Corporate” in recent years. Comedy Central is also preparing to launch a new scripted series from Awkwafina as well as an interview series from Anthony Jeselnik.

Paramount Network

Viacom rebranded Spike TV as The Paramount Network beginning in January 2018 with plans to refocus it as a more general entertainment network. Since the rebrand, the drama series “Yellowstone” has proven to be a breakout hit, routinely drawing an audience of around 5 million viewers in delayed viewing. Other Paramount Network fare has been less fortunate. The limited series “Waco” garnered some critical acclaim, but the network’s series version of “Heathers” — originally meant to help launch Paramount Network — had its premiere date pushed back multiple times in wake of several school shootings. Paramount Network eventually aired the entire series over five nights last October. Spike reality holdovers like “Ink Master,” “Bar Rescue,” and “Lip Sync Battle” continue to air on Paramount Network. Upcoming originals include Darren Star’s “Emily in Paris,” a series adaptation of the cult film “Sexy Beast,” and the drama “Coyote” starring Michael Chiklis.

TV Land

The network, which began as a home for reruns of classic shows, pivoted to original scripted fare in 2010 with the launch of the sitcom “Hot in Cleveland.” That strategy has failed to produce almost any hits, with the notable exception of the critically acclaimed “Younger.” That show remains a strong draw in its sixth season, notching a 15% increase in the key demo in delayed viewing over the fifth season premiere. Under Bakish, several shows that had either aired on or been in development at TV Land were shuttled over to Paramount Network, though none of those shows survived more than a season once they made the move. There were also plans to move “Younger” to Paramount Network for its sixth season before Viacom reversed course and kept it on TV Land. As it now stands, TV Land has no announced new originals on the horizon, with “Younger” being the sole TV Land original on its schedule.

Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon and other kid-focused brands have seen significant ratings drops as more and more young people have grown up in cord cutter households. In 2018 alone, all of Nickelodeon’s most popular programs saw double-digit linear viewership drops from the previous year. Network cornerstone “Spongebob Squarepants” alone saw a 30% drop year over year. Since Robbins took over, Nickelodeon has been making moves to expand its digital presence; announced its first ever spinoff of “Spongebob Squarepants;” acquired the rights to develop series based on Paddington, Garfield, and Lego movie characters; announced revivals of several of its classic shows; and set a first-look deal with multi-hyphenate Kevin Hart. The network has also ordered a space adventure series from Imagine Kids & Family and an animated “Star Trek” series from CBS TV Studios.

BET

BET surprised many back in June when it was announced that the cabler was preparing to launch a standalone streaming service called BET Plus. With the merger formally announced, however, it seems likely the new service will eventually be tucked into an existing streamer like CBS All Access. BET Plus will feature original shows from Tyler Perry as well as much of Perry’s library content. Tracy Oliver’s “First Wives Club” series is also expected to air on the service. That show had previously been in development at TV Land, Paramount Network, and BET before landing at its current home.

CMT

CMT managed its highest-rated years since 2014 at the conclusion of 2018 in the key demo, while the CMT Awards saw a noticeable increase in viewership. The latter increase was largely due to the awards show being simulcast on seven differnt Viacom networks. In terms of scripted shows, CMT previously revived the ABC country music drama “Nashville” for two more seasons after the broadcaster canceled it. Scripted shows like “Bounty Hunters,” “Sun Records,” and “Still the King” lasted one or two seasons at most. The network has now pivoted back to more unscripted programming like “Music City” and the Nashville-set reality series “Bachelorette Weekend.”

Logo

Logo’s LGBTQ-focused programming was formerly anchored by the acclaimed and highly-rated reality competition series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” The show drew record audiences for the network, but Viacom moved it to VH1 ahead of its ninth season, with encores continuing to air on Logo. Likewise, the spinoff — “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” — moved to VH1 ahead of its third season. Since then, Logo has not programmed many originals but continues to air syndicated content.

MTV

MTV was one of few networks to post ratings gains in 2018, thanks in large part to shows like “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” and “The Challenge.” The network posted double digit gains in all but the adults 18-34 demo, and ranked fourth among all entertainment cable networks in total viewers for the year. MTV has had a rollercoaster ride in terms of programming strategy over the years. The one-time music branded network pivoted to mostly unscripted programming for a time, before launching into original scripted shows in the late 2000s. The network managed to produce a number of popular shows like “Teen Wolf,” “Scream,” and “Sweet/Vicious.” But under Bakish’s direction, MTV pivoted back to mostly unscripted fare like “Jersey Shore: Family Vacation,” “Floribama Shore,” and “The Hills: New Beginnings.” However, MTV announced the launch of MTV Studios last June, with the network recently ordering a “Daria” spinoff series with Tracee Ellis Ross set to voice the main character, Jodie.

VH1

VH1 found success with its string of “Celebreality” programs such as “The Surreal Life,” “Hogan Knows Best,” and “Flavor of Love” as well as its “I Love…” franchise. The network has continued to focus on reality programming despite some scripted shows like “Daytime Divas” and “The Breaks.” The focus on unscripted shows has helped buoy the network’s ratings in recent years, with shows like “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Basketball Wives” and the “Love & Hip Hop” franchise all remaining top ratings draws week after week.

[Sal]

In other words, Mikey, the answer to your question is "No.".

[CosmicCharlie]

RANT-
The original US Political System was set up to prevent the Federal Government and local State Government, and Big Money and Corporations from taking over the USA's Land, Resources, & People, as had happened in other countries throughout history throughout the world.

These artificial entities, being government & corporations, tend to dominate and even dictate to the people their own selfish or profit motivated agendas.

I'm not a fan of monopolies

[mandyrenee]

Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie

RANT-
The original US Political System was set up to prevent the Federal Government and local State Government, and Big Money and Corporations from taking over the USA's Land, Resources, & People, as had happened in other countries throughout history throughout the world.

These artificial entities, being government & corporations, tend to dominate and even dictate to the people their own selfish or profit motivated agendas.

I'm not a fan of monopolies

The best post ever made on here!

Unfortunately that is what happens when you have unregulated and out of control capitalism. Especially for profit prisons, for profit education and for profit healthcare. These things have to go if you want to make America great!

[James28]

To anyone who think the name "ViacomCBS" is terrible:

I guess the re-merged company just had to include "CBS" in its name somehow. The first time the original Viacom acquired CBS (in the late 1990s), its name remained just "Viacom". Did the name have to stay just "Viacom" in the 2019 re-merger? I don't think so, because changing it back to just "Viacom" right now would just be going back to the past. Personally, I don't mind the mane "ViacomCBS" myself.

[Sal]

Originally Posted by James28

To anyone who think the name "ViacomCBS" is terrible:

I guess the re-merged company just had to include "CBS" in its name somehow. The first time the original Viacom acquired CBS (in the late 1990s), its name remained just "Viacom". Did the name have to stay just "Viacom" in the 2019 re-merger? I don't think so, because changing it back to just "Viacom" right now would just be going back to the past. Personally, I don't mind the mane "ViacomCBS" myself.

What about CBS/Viacom? Does that not look and sound better?

[James28]

Originally Posted by Sal

What about CBS/Viacom? Does that not look and sound better?

Well, what if the re-merged company took the name "CBS-Paramount" instead? Oh, that's right, it would have sounded too much like "NBC-Universal".