Viacom: the next generation: Freston and Moonves unplugged.(Top of the Week)(Leslie Moonves, Tom Freston)

Broadcasting & Cable, June, 2004

Leslie Moonves controls a cadre of veteran execs who run his various divisions. But the ultimate yes comes from Les. A fierce competitor and consummate showman, he relishes the spotlight. The 54-year-old just named co-COO of Viacom not only dictates the star of a new CBS sitcom; he'll cast the kooky neighbor who appears down in the credits.

Not Tom Freston, the other COO. His executives run their networks with great autonomy. The 58-year-old executive admits he'd like to vote in the sessions where MTV programmers decide which music videos to run--but resists the temptation.

This executive shuffle comes in the wake of COO Mel Karmazin's abrupt departure last week.

Sumner Redstone says the differences between the two who replace...

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