CBS

CBS (originally the Columbia Broadcasting System) is one of the traditional "big three" commercial television networks in the United States (along with ABC and NBC). CBS network is the largest of the three. "It also operates about 40 TV stations around the country and owns 50% of The CW Network. On cable, CBS owns movie channel Showtime and sports channel CSTV. It creates and distributes programming through CBS Television Distribution Group and CBS Paramount Network Television. In addition to TV, the company owns CBS Radio, CBS Outdoor, and book publisher Simon & Schuster. Chairman Sumner Redstone has more than 70% voting control over CBS Corp. through his National Amusements cinema chain."

The CBS Television Network feeds programming to over 200 independently owned television stations in the United States. CBS Corporation was once known as the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The Columbia Broadcasting System today is the name of CBS's radio broadcasting unit.

At the end of 2005 CBS separated from Viacom. Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone still has more than 70% voting control over CBS through his National Amusements cinema chain.

William S. Paley developed the CBS radio and television networks.

History
1927: Founded as United Independent Broadcasters.

1928: Name changed to Columbia Broadcasting System.

1938: Acquires the American Recording Corporation, which would become Columbia Records.

June 1969: CBS cancelled The Smothers Brothers Show after the comedians regularly use their show to protest the Vietnam War.

May 2000: Merged with Viacom Inc. December 31, 2005: Separated from Viacom Inc.

Political contributions
CBS gave $18,500 to federal candidates in the 2006 election cycle through its political action committee - 43% to Democrats, 57% to Republicans.

Personnel
Key executives with 2006 pay:
 * Sumner M. Redstone, Founder and Executive Chairman, $10,370,000
 * Leslie Moonves, Chief Executive Officer, President, $20,610,000
 * Fredric G. Reynolds, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, $5,500,000
 * Louis J. Briskman, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, $3,070,000
 * Susan C. Gordon, Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller and Senior Vice President, $1,250,000

Directors
Accessed December 2007:


 * Leslie Moonves
 * Sumner Redstone
 * Shari Redstone - Vice Chairman of the Board
 * David R. Andelman
 * Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
 * William S. Cohen
 * Gary L. Countryman - Chairman Emeritus of Liberty Mutual
 * Charles K. Gifford - Chairman Emeritus of Bank of America
 * Leonard Goldberg
 * Bruce S. Gordon
 * Linda Griego
 * Arnold Kopelson
 * Doug Morris
 * Fred Salerno - Retired Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Verizon

Contact details
51 West 52nd Street New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-975-4321 Fax: 212-975-4516 Web: http://www.cbscorporation.com

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Frank Stanton - former president
 * Richard S. Salant - started in television in 1952, as vice president and general executive of CBS
 * Gene F. Jankowski
 * John R. Purcell