Q&A: He was tied to the old regime at CBS. Can Joe Ianniello pave its future under Viacom?
LA TimesWhen former CBS Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Leslie Moonves was fired over sexual harassment allegations a year ago, many media analysts believed the company had lost an indispensable impresario who kept it vital in a turbulent TV industry. His departure cleared the way for the company’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone to reunite CBS with Viacom — home of MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Pictures — in a deal that was announced Aug. 13. His key moves included naming well-liked veteran producer Susan Zirinsky to run CBS News and tapping respected Showtime Networks head David Nevins as chief creative officer. Ianniello guided the company’s efforts to become less dependent on advertising by getting fees from cable and satellite providers for carrying its TV signals and led its entry into the digital streaming business with CBS All Access. Making Susan Zirinsky the president of CBS News and her putting Norah O’Donnell in the anchor chair at “CBS Evening News” are certainly the most visible moves so far under your tenure.
History of this topic
Viacom reorganizes creative team before CBS merger
LA Times
CBS-Viacom merger reunites the storied network with Comedy Central, MTV and Paramount Pictures
LA Times
CBS extends acting CEO Joseph Ianniello’s tenure through December
LA TimesDiscover Related
