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The media has been buzzing with news of leaked copies of '<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Udta+Punjab&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Udta Punjab</a>' and 'Great Grand Masti'. Both FCAT copies, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Rajinikanth&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Rajinikanth</a>'s blockbuster <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Kabali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Kabali</a> met the same fate. Several websites had full links that could be used to view and download a pirate’s copy. India’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Bollywood&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bollywood</a> film industry, the largest producer of films, is severely threatened by physical and <keyword id="577158" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="online-piracy">online piracy</keyword>. 
 
Believe it or not, 2015’s big release <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Baahubali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Baahubali</a> took the maximum hit. With 1,485 active piracy links of the SS Rajamouli film available, the film has been downloaded illegally 24.76 lakh times. The total revenue loss in these 17 months to the Telugu film industry stands at a whopping Rs. 1,064 Crores. To expect these guys to face such losses and still tell us why Katappa killed <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Baahubali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Baahubali</a> is crazy. 
 
The numbers are mind-boggling to say the least. "Some unofficial estimates show that the overall revenue loss to the Indian Media and Entertainment industry is close to $ 2.5 billion”, Rajkmar Akela, Chairman, Anti Video Piracy Cell, Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce said. 
 
In 2014, India was listed in the International Piracy Watch List by the US. This is a list of four countries where piracy is rampant. However, few seem to care. The number of piracy cases registered in India reduced by just 10% this year as compared to 16% in the Asia-Pacific region. 
 "India's film industry - the economic contribution of the creative economy and creative sectors in India is limited. Issues like copyright infringement, <keyword id="54502" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Film-piracy">film piracy</keyword>, cam cording and content leakage weaken the industry by hampering the deserved revenue production. Economies with supportive copyright protection are at least 30% more likely to have larger and more dynamic content and media sectors than are countries with less favorable IP regime", Mr. Patrick Kilbride, Executive Director, International IP, Global Intellectual Property Center, U S Chamber of Commerce said. 
 With increased penetration of technology and internet in India, piracy through online distribution is expected to continue to be a major source of revenue leakage if immediate steps are not taken to stem this flow of cash. Part of the issue is that legitimate means of digital viewing are still emerging in India. <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword> came in late, and with not many Tier II and Tier III enjoying quality 4G coverage, downloading it using torrents or buying from a local DVD seller just seems easier. 
 “How to grow movie-goer base in the face of growing satellite penetration and piracy remains the bigger and more fundamental challenge”, Ajit Andhare, COO, <keyword id="1194637" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Viacom18-Motion-Pictures">Viacom18 Motion Pictures</keyword> observes. 
 
This parallel black economy is also hampering innovation. Flipkart’s online music store, Flyte had to shut down a little more than a year of its launch due to music piracy. Another website Dhingana had to shut down after a long struggle. Music Store, a chain of over 100 stores in India was also shut this year due to the effects of piracy. 
 
Truth is, even with the improvements in technology, not many business models and payment mechanisms have evolved to compete effectively with the ‘free’ illegal option. The Indian film industry is waking up to the prospect of optimizing the release window only now, and making it available across platforms. Not to mention the laggard implementation of existing anti-piracy rules. 
 
“We acknowledge the National IPR Policy as a step in the right direction to protect copyright as it envisages a creative and innovative India. However, thousands of rogue websites threaten the lifeline of a film, as soon as it is released in theatres. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Film+piracy&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Film piracy</a> creates financial loss to our business and to the exchequer”, Mr. Uday Singh, Managing Director at Motion Picture Association said. 
 
While the economic impacts of piracy are difficult to quantify, a recent market study by FICCI looked at seven industry sectors most impacted by counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling, and found almost Rs. 73,000 Crores in lost sales in 2012 across just these seven sectors. 
 
As a saving grace, select Premium HD Channels are offering TV content to the Indian audience 24 hours of its US telecast, but are getting few takers. Hungama offers Indian film content to 47 countries through partnerships with other companies. Free online music streaming sites like Gaana and Saavn are trying their best with branding exercises. 
 
However, till expediting blocking rogue sites, tracing locations, owners, release groups involved in copyright theft and cracking down on criminal syndicates involving notorious camcorders are not considered ‘first-aid’ to any case of copyright violation, it’s difficult. 
Till then, it’s plain madness out there. 
 
<a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/all-the-piracy1.jpg">Image Source</a>

India loses $2.5 Bn to Online Movie Piracy every year

<keyword id="6355199" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-industries">Reliance Industries</keyword> Limited (<keyword id="6484187" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ril">RIL</keyword>) does not seem to be keen on a deal with Sony Pictures for a stake sale and merger in Viacom 18. As per sources, <keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> led RIL is not keen on the Sony conversation. Sources said digital media and entertainment is an essential pillar of Jio's digital business strategy. Reliance plans to invest aggressively and grow the digital media business. They added that Reliance wants to retain management control over the digital operations and invest behind creating India's number 1 OTT destination as well as broadcast platform. Sources revealed that entertainment is central to Jio's FTTH plans in partnership and collaboration with other content and production companies. "There is a lot of interest from content companies and production houses in partnering with Reliance and Jio, and investors are keen to back such partnerships," they added. Earlier, there were reports that Sony is likely to own 74 per cent after a merger with Viacom 18. As per reports, a merger of Sony Pictures Network and Viacom 18 was being discussed. Viacom 18 is a 51:49 JV between Reliance owned Network 18 and Viacom. There had been a buzz about the deal for some months now.

Reliance ditches Viacom18 merger talks with Sony – has its eyes set on building India's No.1 OTT and broadcast platform

<ul><li>Sudhanshu Vats will be serving at Viacom18 till 15th April 2020.</li><li>Vats verticals will now fall under the leadership of Rahul Joshi, Managing Director of the <keyword id="187715" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Network18">Network18</keyword> Group.</li></ul>Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO and MD of Viacom18, a subsidiary of Network18, has decided to move on from Viacom18 after 8 years at the helm. During his years at the company, Vats expanded the media network’s footprint into new business lines of Digital, Experiential Entertainment and Consumer Products. He also strengthened Viacom18’s position in Hindi mass entertainment, regional, kids, music &amp; English entertainment and turned around the filmed entertainment business with content led cinema. Viacom18 has grown from a six to a 54-channel network with its video-on-demand platform, Voot, helping it establish a strong digital presence. Network18, RIL’s flagship in Media and Entertainment, has driven value-addition and synergies across the multi-platform group comprising broadcast, digital, filmed and experiential entertainment and media businesses. As a part of the Network18 group, Viacom18 has grown as a prominent entertainment broadcaster (ex-sports), with an 11.1% viewership share and is poised for accelerated growth in broadcasting, film studio and OTT offerings. Vats leaves behind a strong leadership team which has grown the different verticals of the company into large businesses and they will continue to manage their respective verticals under the leadership of Rahul Joshi, Managing Director of the Network18 Group. Speaking on the development, Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman of the Board, Network18 said, “Sudhanshu is a dynamic and admired leader in corporate India today. Not only has he led from the front in shaping up Viacom18’s growth story, he has also championed the cause of the sector at the various industry bodies that he has captained. While we are sad to lose him, it is equally reassuring to know that we have a strong second line that’s raring to go. I’d like to wish Sudhanshu all the very best for his future endeavours.” Speaking about his journey at Viacom18, Sudhanshu Vats said, “It has been an extremely challenging and satisfying 8 years at the helm of Viacom18. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best minds in M&amp;E industry to chart the growth story of Viacom18. We have together built one of the most admired media company of brilliant storytellers with diversified presence across screens and platforms. As I look forward to taking up newer challenges, I shall always cherish the learnings in leading India’s youngest and fastest-growing media and entertainment company.” Sudhanshu Vats will be serving at Viacom18 till 15th April 2020.

Sudhanshu Vats resigns as MD of Viacom18

<keyword id="187712" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Viacom18">Viacom18</keyword> has expanded its digital ecosystem with the launch of its first subscription play – <keyword id="3701222" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Voot-Kids">VOOT Kids</keyword>. The plaftorm that has been certified by Early Childhood Association (ECA) will offer a collection of over 20,000 videos, e-books, stories and quizzes, aims to usher in the next evolution in the kid’s digital ecosystem. “Viacom18 has grown over the years by focussing on white spaces that are challenging and yet have tremendous potential. As a network, we have been the undisputed leader in kids’ entertainment content since the past 5 years. Our digital play VOOT is the second largest video-on-demand platform in the country today.” said <keyword id="1118047" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sudhanshu-Vats">Sudhanshu Vats</keyword>, Group CEO &amp; MD, Viacom18, adding, “VOOT Kids is a synergy of these two growth stories from the house of Viacom18. Marking our sharper segmented foray into the world of subscription based VoD, VOOT Kids is India’s first and only multi-format Kids app offering Fun &amp; Learning. No other kids app offers Watch, Read, Listen &amp; Learn all at one place” With a mission to make screen time meaningful for Kids, the app strikes a balance between fun learning and entertainment for kids between the age of 02 to 08 years. The app will achieve this by delivering a holistic experience focussed on viewing, reading, listening and playing all in one place. The app encompasses Kids’ favourite toons, best of pre-school and learning shows, beautifully crafted picture e-books, audio stories and fun quizzes and will empower parents with relevant and superior quality engagement options for their children. Behind this impressive content line-up are partnerships with best in class brand owners and leaders like Nickelodeon, Oxford University Press, Warner Media, Green Gold, Ceebeebies, TV Asahi, Sony Music, Hasbro, Mattel, Lego and many more. Speaking about VOOT’s venture into the premium subscription space, <keyword id="260775" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gourav-Rakshit">Gourav Rakshit</keyword>, COO, <keyword id="3304677" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Viacom18-digital">Viacom18 Digital</keyword> Ventures said, “The foray into the subscription space with VOOT Kids is the first step in our journey towards building an entire digital ecosystem under brand VOOT. VOOT Kids has been built on the 3 pillars of Product Experience, Content and Safety. In VOOT Kids, we are bringing an offering that is child-friendly, yet parent focussed and gives them an opportunity to bond with an immersive co-consumption experience. Our brand philosophy of ‘Masti Mein Acchai’ reflects our mission to make screen time meaningful.” VOOT Kids is a key enabler that enhances the bond between parents and children through immersive co-consumption experiences. The curated ad-free content library has parental control features that allow parents to evaluate progress, limit screen time and track content consumed which makes VOOT Kids India’s safest one-stop online destination that entertains, engages and enriches kids, all under one roof. Elaborating, <keyword id="2622409" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Saugato-Bhowmik">Saugato Bhowmik</keyword>, Business Head, VOOT Kids said, “VOOT Kids is a category creating product in the space of digital fun learning that caters to needs of discerning Indian parents who seek meaningful screen-time that aids in holistic development of the child’s mental, emotional and social faculties. The app has the largest and most versatile offerings in the space of toon videos, e-books, audio stories and fun quizzes that provides children with a parent-controlled, safe and entertaining content destination.” He further added, “We believe masti should never be served up without acchai and the same holds true the other way around. And this is our guiding philosophy at VOOT Kids" VOOT Kids will be Viacom18’s first ever digital subscription service providing immersive content delivered through an elevated product experience and seamless gameplay. With this launch, VOOT Kids will bring alive the ‘Masti Main Acchai’ brand idea through a high decibel integrated marketing plan that will reach over 50 million households driven by a mix of print, on-air, on-ground activations and digital outreach.

Viacom18 launches its first subscription play, VOOT Kids

ViacomWant to stay up to date with this year's IGNITION conference and all things media? <a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/bi-ignition-newsletter?IR=T&amp;utm_source=businessinsider&amp;utm_medium=content_marketing&amp;utm_term=content_marketing_ignition_newsletter_text_link_heres-how-snapchat-can-survive-instagrams-assault-on-its-features-2017-5&amp;utm_content=ignition_newsletter_content_marketing_text_link&amp;utm_campaign=content_marketing_ignition_newsletter_link">Subscribe here</a> to receive our free weekly IGNITION newsletter.Business Insider is proud to announce that Robert Bakish will speak at IGNITION 2017: The Future of Media.As the president and CEO of Viacom, Bakish is tasked with growing the conglomerate's leading brands including BET, Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon along with the Paramount Pictures film and TV studio.Before being promoted to this role, Bakish thrived as the president and CEO of VIMN, the international arm of Viacom. During this time, he succeeded in expanding Viacom's international footprint by focusing on high-growth markets such as India, where he launched the entertainment channel Colors through the Viacom18 joint venture with Reliance Industries.Bakish was also integral in bolstering Viacom's digital presence. By launching multiplatform products like My Nick Jr., My MTV, and Viacom Play Pex, Viacom has eclipsed 16 million downloads and 500 million digital streams to date, <a href="http://www.viacom.com/about/pages/seniormanagement.aspx?bioid=11">according to the company</a>.Bakish joins <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lachlan-murdoch-of-news-corp-21st-century-fox-to-speak-at-ignition-2017-6">21st Century Fox executive chairman Lachlan Murdoch</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hbo-ceo-richard-plepler-business-insider-ignition-2017-4">HBO CEO Richard Plepler</a>, and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/verizons-president-of-media-and-telematics-to-speak-at-ignition-2017-6">Verizon executive Marni Walden</a> as speakers at this year's IGNITION conference. We will continue to announce new speakers throughout the summer, so continue to check in to see who else will be attending.Attend IGNITION 2017: The Future of MediaBusiness Insider IGNITION 2017 will take place November 29-30 at the Time Warner Center in New York City. Don't miss out on an opportunity lock in your discounted Early-Bird or group rates to hear from the most influential people in media!<a href="http://events.businessinsider.com?IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Register Today!</a> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lowell-mcadam-explains-why-verizon-bought-aol-ignition-mobile-2015-12">Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam explains why he bought AOL</a></h3> Please enable Javascript to watch this video

Viacom's Bob Bakish to speak at IGNITION

<ul><li>Big Boss has launched in its digital avatar on Voot.</li><li>Bigg Boss OTT roped in 8 leading brands as sponsors for the exclusive digital season. After <keyword id="6358977" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="swiggy">Swiggy</keyword> and <keyword id="6416838" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coindcx">CoinDCX</keyword> joined in as the ‘co-powered by’ sponsors, Viacom18’s Voot roped in Vimal Elaichi, <keyword id="9555198" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="MX-TakaTak">MX Takatak</keyword>, <keyword id="2875740" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netmeds">Netmeds</keyword>, <keyword id="150626" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="HM">H&amp;M</keyword>, <keyword id="270570" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Durex">Durex</keyword> and Lotus Herbal as sponsors.</li></ul>With screens turned from television to digital, Bigg Boss, in its digital avatar, unleashed a super storm of over-the-top celebration and entertainment with its opening episode. With its launch on Voot with 13 contestants, Bigg Boss OTT roped in 8 leading brands as sponsors for the exclusive digital season. The season premiere episode witnessed viewers tuning in from across India registering the highest numbers of subscriber tune-in for a Bigg Boss opening till date. After Swiggy and CoinDCX joined in as the ‘co-powered by’ sponsors, Viacom18’s Voot roped in Vimal Elaichi, MX Takatak, Netmeds, H&amp;M, Durex and Lotus Herbal as sponsors. Joining as Presenting Sponsor, Vimal Elaichi is recognized as a brand to champion pioneering ideas with a strong youth appeal. Vimal Elaichi will leverage Bigg Boss’ fandom to connect and interact with viewers through highly engaging IPs like Video Vichaar and Extraa Masala giving the brand widespread exposure throughout the reality series. While Video Vichaar will enable viewers to share thoughts and opinions around daily developments within the house, Extraa Masala is a successful content around content IP that traditionally attracts hordes of Asli Fans who can’t keep away from the Bigg Boss phenomena. MX Takatak is a recognized brand in the short video format domain and in capacity as Social Media Partner, MX Takatak will deepen synergies with the show and its audience. MX Takatak will foster and drive growth for the Bigg Boss OTT x Voot community on its platform. As Style Partner, internationally loved fashion brand, H&amp;M will spruce up with style quotient on the show. A host of distinctive partners will seamlessly integrate with the daily storyline thus becoming an essential aspect of the overall storytelling. Additionally, Netmeds joins as Pharmacy Partner, Durex as <keyword id="11846994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="special-partner">Special Partner</keyword> and Lotus Herbal as Beauty Partner will drive engagement through tasks and activities that both contestants and viewers will actively be involved in. Elaborating on the sponsorships, Gourav Rakshit, Chief Operating Officer, <keyword id="2947361" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Viacom18-Digital-Ventures">Viacom18 Digital Ventures</keyword>, said, “Bigg Boss has grown to become a celebrated proposition for brands to connect and engage with viewers. Given the multi-touchpoint offering, the interest the show generates is unlike any other. The diverse brands that have come onboard as sponsors, some of whom have joined the Bigg Boss family for the first time in this exciting edition, is testimony to popularity of Bigg Boss and the wide appeal of the Voot platform. We are excited to be working closely with them to create an ‘Over The Top experience’ for their audiences as well.” Speaking on associating with India’s largest reality phenomena, spokesperson at Vimal Elaichi said, “We are delighted to come on board as the presenting partner of Bigg Boss OTT- a new, pioneering idea for an OTT platform in India. Vimal has always associated with shows and IPs that have a large mass audience connect; testimony to that are our brand ambassadors Ajay Devgn and Shahrukh Khan! An innovative property like Bigg Boss OTT which is watched and loved by millions, fits in seamlessly with the same vision. We are very confident that this partnership will enjoy tremendous success.” On its premiere association with Voot for Bigg Boss OTT, Janhavi Parikh, Business Head - MX TakaTak said, “With this exciting partnership, we bring reality television to short video as well! Bigg Boss OTT shows the real side of celebrities to its viewers while MX TakaTak offers a great platform and encourages users, creators, digital enthusiasts to showcase their real talent across different genres. The natural content synergies that both platforms drive make it a win-win for us and we believe this will make for a great content fit for our users.” With the entertainment phenomenon’s tremendous popularity and reach, the sponsorships aim to provide brands with an opportunity to engage and collaborate through various touchpoints throughout the digital season. With prominence through ad spots, task integrations, special zones and other interactive and innovative branding opportunities, Bigg Boss OTT is all set to further give impetus to the brands to enhance their visibility and influence consumers.

Voot onboards 8 sponsors for Bigg Boss OTT as it opens its digital-first exclusive season

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <keyword id="6354777" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Media">media</keyword> magnate <keyword id="162317" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sumner-Redstone">Sumner Redstone</keyword>, who forged an empire of <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="entertainment">entertainment</keyword> companies encompassing <keyword id="6360415" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="cbs">CBS</keyword>, <keyword id="140091" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Viacom">Viacom</keyword>, and Paramount Pictures, died Tuesday at the age of 97.</li><li>Redstone built his media empire on the simple but prescient premise that "content is king," as he liked to say, and would prove more valuable than owning distribution channels like movie theaters or cable operators.</li><li>His legacy business, ViacomCBS, is worth $16 billion.</li><li>Redstone is survived by his son, Brent Redstone, and daughter, Shari Redstone, who is the steward of much of his media empire.</li></ul>Sumner Redstone, who forged an empire of entertainment companies encompassing CBS, Viacom, and Paramount Pictures, died Tuesday at the age of 97. His death was announced in a statement by National Amusements, which revealed few details. <a href="https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/sumner-redstone-dead-97-viacom-cbs-paramount-1234732722/">Variety reported</a> that Redstone died in his Los Angeles home.Redstone built his media empire on the simple but prescient premise that "content is king," as he liked to say, and would prove more valuable than owning distribution channels like movie theaters or cable operators.Based on that belief, he transformed his father's small theater chain, National Amusements, into a launchpad for investing in and acquiring movie studios and TV networks.Redstone, who was known to be <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/moment-war-sumner-redstone-s-media-empire-began-book-excerpt-1123148">ruthless in his pursuit</a>, took control in the 1980s of Viacom, which owned some of the most popular cable networks of the time, including MTV and Nickelodeon. He won control of Paramount Pictures in the 1990s in a fierce bidding war against his rival media moguls Barry Diller and John Malone. And he later acquired Viacom's former parent company, the broadcast giant CBS.Redstone was executive chairman of CBS and Viacom until 2016, and he was chairman emeritus after that.The two companies merged in 2019 and are now worth $16.4 billion. ViacomCBS includes the broadcaster CBS; the premium-TV network Showtime; the cable channels, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and BET; the movie studio Paramount Pictures; and the publisher Simon &amp; Schuster.Redstone, born in Boston, began his career in law after graduating from Harvard Law School in 1947. He joined National Amusements in the 1950s and became CEO in 1967.The Wall Street Journal reporter Keach Hagey's 2018 book, "The King of Content: Sumner Redstone's Battle for Viacom, CBS, and Everlasting Control of His Media Empire," chronicled Redstone's rise and apparent obsession with immortality. His later years were plagued by questions about his health and faculties.Redstone is survived by his son, Brent Redstone, and daughter, Shari Redstone, who is the steward of much of the media empire.Shari Redstone, the chair of the newly formed ViacomCBS, owns 20% of National Amusements, the holding company that controls ViacomCBS, and is one of seven trustees overseeing the other 80% voting stake that was controlled by Sumner."My father led an extraordinary life that not only shaped entertainment as we know it today but created an incredible family legacy," she told Variety in a statement.

Sumner Redstone, the media mogul who built the ViacomCBS empire, is dead at 97

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>CBS and sister company Viacom have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal that would create a combined company with around $28 billion in revenue, <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190813005648/en/">the companies announced</a> on Tuesday afternoon.</li><li>The feeling at Viacom, based on interviews with current and former employees, is relief that the long-awaited deal is done and anxiety around what comes next.</li><li>While some employees in Viacom's ad sales and marketing teams are concerned about potential layoffs and upward mobility, other staffers felt that Viacom was emerging as a leader over CBS, which made them more confident in their job prospects.</li><li>Viacom employees that Business Insider spoke with were also bracing for more deal activity, believing that a deal with Viacom was just one step in CBS' growth plans.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/prime?module=article&amp;area=summary">Click here for more BI Prime stories.</a></li></ul>CBS and Viacom have agreed to merge - after 13 years apart and two stalled merger attempts in recent years - bringing TV channels like MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and BET under the same roof as CBS, Showtime, and CBS' sports and news networks, the <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190813005648/en/">companies announced</a> on Tuesday afternoon. The proposed all-stock deal would create a combined company with roughly $28 billion in revenue, the companies said.For employees at the two New York-based companies, especially longtime staffers who had been with CBS or Viacom since before the 2005 split that established the companies as separate entities, the tie-up brings to a close years of will-they-or-won't-they drama.The feeling at Viacom internally, based on interviews with a half dozen current and former employees, is relief that the deal is finally done and anxiety around what comes next."There is much angst about more layoffs and consolidation, which must be frustrating since Viacom as a standalone business has been making some good progress," one former Viacom executive told Business Insider. "People in the sales and marketing jobs are worried about their upward mobility."<h2>Is Viacom gaining the upper hand?</h2>How individual Viacom staffers are responding to the merger depends largely on where they sit within the organization.Layoffs are common in any merger, and recent tie-ups between media companies like Disney and Fox, and AT&amp;T and WarnerMedia, have led to staff changes. While some teams at Viacom, such as the ad sales and marketing groups, and other staffers who work across Viacom's networks, are concerned about layoffs, others believe Viacom has the upper hand over CBS.A CBS acquisition of Viacom was previously seen as better for Viacom than CBS, one former CBS employee said.Viacom had been the weaker of the two companies in recent years because its large portfolio of cable-TV channels had struggled as more people abandoned traditional pay-TV bundles in the US.But Viacom, which has been overhauling its TV networks to focus on fewer, more impactful brands, has started to show improvements. The company <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/viacoms-revenue-increases-on-film-division-growth-11565267441">grew domestic advertising revenue for the first time in 20 quarters</a> during its third quarter of 2019. Its deal this year to acquire ad-supported streaming-TV service Pluto TV, which has 18 million monthly active users, also helped boost ad revenue."They've actually got shows that are doing well on TV," one current Viacom employee said. "The Pluto thing was massive because it's TV viewing with commercials that's 18 to 34-[year-olds]."One big question facing the ad sales team that could affect possible layoffs is whether Viacom's Sean Moran or CBS' Jo Ann Ross, who has experience <a href="https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/cbs-ad-sales-chief-jo-ann-ross-has-overseen-6-super-bowls-and-has-the-stories-to-prove-it/">selling around CBS' all-important NFL rights</a>, will lead ad sales for the combined company.But Viacom staffers were emboldened recently by another executive appointment. CBS' and Viacom's boards agreed that Viacom's Bob Bakish would be installed as CEO of the joint CBS-Viacom if a merger deal was reached, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cbs-viacom-reportedly-agreed-on-leadership-team-combined-company-2019-8">The Wall Street Journal reported</a>.The agreement to hand control of the combine company over to Bakish suggested that Viacom's international footprint would be a linchpin to future expansion."The idea that Bob could be leading does say a lot about Viacom's international strength," one current employee said. "It is why he rose to the top, I think."It also gave Viacom staffers more confidence in their job prospects."The underlying feeling was if it Bob Bakish was to stay in power then it would be a good thing for everyone at Viacom," one former Viacom employee said.<h2>Staffers are already bracing for more deal-making</h2>Despite job concerns, some Viacom employees feel that the company is stronger with CBS in its corner.Deals are happening across the US media landscape and it was only a matter of time before Viacom was scooped up, one former employee said. A worry among Viacom staffers was that the company, alone, could be broken up and sold in parts to media companies that wouldn't have common investors or aims, as CBS and Viacom do, leaving employees there with even less certainty.Now that a marriage between CBS and Viacom is officially on the way, Viacom employees are bracing themselves for the next wave of merger activity."The main reason to bring CBS and Viacom together could also be to make a new, more attractive package for the next round of acquisitions," one current Viacom employee said. "Whether Viacom is a $12 billion company alone or $30 billion company with CBS, either version is dwarfed by AT&amp;T, Comcast, Disney, Netflix ... If anyone is concerned, it's let's get passed this, and see what new assets we have that we can work with."<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/30/cbs-viacom-discovery-may-merge-for-survival.html">CNBC reported earlier this year</a> that CBS was open to buying other companies in addition to Viacom, such as Discovery Communications, Sony Pictures, or MGM. CBS also had in informal talks with Lionsgate to acquire Starz, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lions-gate-ent-m-a-cbs/lions-gate-offered-to-sell-starz-to-cbs-for-5-5-billion-sources-idUSKCN1SN2CC">Reuters reported</a> in May.The company is trying to grow quickly so it can better compete for future NFL rights against deep-pocketed companies like Amazon, the CNBC report said.CBS also has two streaming-video subscription services, CBS All Access and Showtime, which it might look to grow with assets from Starz or another company.Already, there could be opportunities to put programming from Viacom networks such as Comedy Central, MTV, or Nickelodeon, or the studio Paramount TV, on those streaming services - shaking up Viacom's distribution strategies. CBS said last week that it would bring original and licensed kids programming into CBS All Access later this year, one sign that the company is experimenting with expanding the audience for the service.At the network level, one current and one former Viacom employee that Business Insider spoke to pointed out that the company was <a href="https://deadline.com/2018/10/kent-alterman-chris-mccarthy-expand-portfolios-kevin-kay-exits-viacom-restructuring-1202489674/">recently reorganized</a>, bringing MTV, VH1, CMT, and Logo under the leadership of Chris McCarthy; and Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and TV Land under Kent Alterman. Those networks were seen as lean already - some, like CMT, <a href="https://www.thewrap.com/layoffs-strike-cmt-as-part-of-reorg-heads-of-marketing-and-nashville-office-both-let-go/">had layoffs</a> in recent months and years- and the staffers didn't anticipate major cuts unless Viacom was willing to lose some aspects of production or development.Business Insider did not speak to current employees at BET or Nickelodeon.<h2>The wait-and-see approach</h2>Ahead of the merger announcement, multiple employees at Viacom said they weren't concerning themselves too much with the deal talks until a combination was officially announced. Some employees that Business Insider reached out to for this story also said they had not been following the news much, and that the merger hadn't come up in conversations they were privy to at work.One current executive said any staff changes on the ad sales side probably wouldn't come until the 2020 Upfront season was over, which would give employees time to find new jobs if there were layoffs.These staffers were generally learning of developments in the CBS-Viacom deal alongside the rest of the world, through media reports, they said.CBS and Viacom did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Are you a CBS or Viacom insider with a tip for another story? Let me know at <a href="mailto:arodriguez@businessinsider.com">ARodriguez@businessinsider.com</a>.

Viacom employees open up about their hopes and fears after the CBS merger, and what they think will happen next

<keyword id="187712" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Viacom18">Viacom18</keyword> recently expanded its headquarters in Mumbai and it looks too good to be true. The new <keyword id="23557" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="office">office</keyword> has state-of-the-art technology such as 360 Degree Cameras and Smart Cleaning technology. 
 
A stone’s throw away from the company’s Headquarters in Vile Parle East in Mumbai is an exciting new addition as it dispenses away with cabins and instead focuses on getting the people to team up more by providing them collaborative workspaces. 
 
Around 335 people are working out of the new office and they sure are glad. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/exclusive-vijay-shekhar-sharma-ceo-paytm-talks-about-representing-india-at-the-time-100-gala/articleshow/58460368.cms">ALSO READ: Exclusive: Vijay Shekhar Sharma, </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/exclusive-vijay-shekhar-sharma-ceo-paytm-talks-about-representing-india-at-the-time-100-gala/articleshow/58460368.cms">CEO</a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/exclusive-vijay-shekhar-sharma-ceo-paytm-talks-about-representing-india-at-the-time-100-gala/articleshow/58460368.cms">, Paytm talks about representing India at the TIME 100 Gala</a> 
 
We recently visited the office to see how it looks and this is what we noticed.

This is what Viacom18's new modern office looks like

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">CBS All Access"Star Trek: Discovery"</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>CBS and Viacom have agreed to reunite, creating another US <keyword id="6354777" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Media">media</keyword> powerhouse that could be better positioned to compete with Netflix and media giants Disney and Comcast.</li><li>The deal-making may not end there. Executives from the two companies are reportedly considering other acquisitions as well. </li><li>Business Insider reported on how Viacom insiders feel about the merger, what's next for CBS and Viacom, and how the combination could bolster their streaming services.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul>CBS and Viacom finally agreed this week to reunite, after splitting 13 years ago, in an all-stock deal that could create another US media powerhouse.The deal brings together CBS' broadcast, sports, and news networks, Showtime, and streaming services like CBS All Access, with Viacom's movie studio Paramount Pictures and array of international TV networks like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, and BET. It also pools the two companies' production resources, and creates a vast <keyword id="35666" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="advertising">advertising</keyword> portfolio.The feeling at Viacom internally, based on Business Insider's interviews with a half dozen current and former employees, is relief that the deal is finally done and anxiety around what comes next.Recent major media tie ups, like Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox and AT&amp;T's merger with WarnerMedia, led to layoffs and staff changes.Check out what Viacom insiders are saying about the deal: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/viacom-employees-say-good-spot-after-cbs-deal-2019-8">INSIDE VIACOM: What employees are saying about the blockbuster CBS merger and think will happen next</a>Some Viacom staffers have been put at ease by Viacom CEO Bob Bakish's rise in power. Bakish was chosen by CBS and Viacom's board to lead the combined company, to be called ViacomCBS.Read more about the proposed leadership structure: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/viacom-staffers-bob-bakish-power-grab-viacom-cbs-merger-2019-8">Viacom CEO Bob Bakish's power grab during the CBS merger has put some employees at ease, but Wall Street has major concerns about the leadership structure</a>But the deal-making may not end with one merger. Executives from both companies said on a call with analysts this week that they'll continue looking for opportunities to grow their businesses, and that their merger will put them in better financial shape to jump on future deals.Discovery, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Starz, and its owner Lions Gate are some of the companies thought to be of interest to CBS and Viacom.Read more about what's next for CBS and Viacom: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/viacom-cbs-next-deal-media-ad-tech-other-potential-targets-2019-8">M&amp;A experts break down what Viacom and CBS could buy next, from ad-tech to James Bond</a>One big upside to deal, and reason we may see more combinations like it, is that it could help CBS and Viacom scale their streaming services and production resources to better compete - and sell movies and TV shows to - media giants like Netflix, Disney, and Comcast.Read more about how the deal could help bolster CBS and Viacom's streaming services: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-cbs-viacom-merger-could-compete-against-netflix-disney-2019-6">3 big ways CBS merging with Viacom could help it fight Netflix - and one downside to the deal</a>Are you a CBS or Viacom insider with a tip for another story? Let me know at <a href="mailto:arodriguez@businessinsider.com">ARodriguez@businessinsider.com</a>. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quentin-tarantino-once-upon-time-hollywood-details-you-missed-2019-7">39 details you may have missed in Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

What the CBS-Viacom merger means for employees, the future of TV, and the next round of deal-making

New Delhi: The merger of media assets of Reliance Industries and the India business of global media house the Walt Disney is expected to be complete by the end of the third quarter of this fiscal, according to a regulatory filing by billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led group. The fair trade regulator CCI has already approved the merger of Viacom 18 and <keyword id="19976122" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Star-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Star India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Star India">Star India</keyword> and NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) has sanctioned the scheme regarding it. "The companies are in the process of obtaining other requisite approvals for the completion of the transaction and transaction closer is expected in 3Q FY 25," informed Reliance Industries on Monday in its quarter earning statement. The merger of Reliance group-controlled media assets - TV18 Broadcast and E18 - with Network18 Media &amp; Investments has already been sanctioned by the NCLT and was made effective on October 3, it said. Earlier on September 27, the government approved the transfer of licenses relating to Non News &amp; Current Affairs TV channels held by media entities of Reliance Industries to Star India. "The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, vide its order dated September 27, has granted its approval for transfer of Licenses relating to Non News &amp; Current Affairs TV channels held by <keyword id="19976121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Viacom18" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Viacom18" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Viacom18">Viacom18</keyword> Media Private Limited in favour of Star India," it had said. Viacom18 is the holding company that owns the media and entertainment business of billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries and Bodhi Tree Systems. Both sides are in the final stages of the merger, making some adjustments in the business as per the Competition Commission of India (CCI) directions. On August 30, the NCLT had approved the scheme of merger of Viacom18 Media and Digital 18 Media, holding media and entertainment assets of Reliance Industries with Star India. The scheme had proposed the transfer and vesting of Media Operations Undertaking from Viacom 18 and Jio Cinema into Digital18, which is a subsidiary of Viacom 18. This would be followed by "demerger, transfer and vesting of V18 Undertaking from Digital 18 into Star India". The merger of the media assets of Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Co.'s India business will create the country's largest media empire worth over Rs 70,000 crore. Earlier, the CCI had said it has cleared the "proposed combination involving Reliance Industries Ltd, Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd, Digital18 Media Ltd, Star India Pvt Ltd and Star Television Productions Ltd, subject to the compliance of voluntary modifications". Viacom18 is part of the RIL group, and Star India is wholly owned by The <keyword id="19986269" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Walt-Disney-Company" source="keywords">Walt Disney Company</keyword>. Star Television Productions, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, is owned indirectly by Walt Disney. The CCI, however, did not disclose voluntary modifications in the original deal made by the two parties. As per the deal, Mukesh Ambani-led RIL and its affiliates will hold 63.16 per cent of the combined entity that will house two streaming services and 120 television channels. Walt Disney will hold the remaining 36.84 per cent stake in the combined entity, which will also be India's largest media house. Reliance Industries has also agreed to invest close to Rs 11,500 crore into the joint venture to give it the muscle to fight rivals like Japan's Sony and Netflix. Nita Ambani, wife of billionaire and RIL Chairman <keyword id="19916798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani" source="keywords">Mukesh Ambani</keyword>, will head the joint venture, while Uday Shankar will be the vice-chairperson.

You Searched For "Viacom18 Motion Pictures" and got 11 results

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Viacom employees open up about their hopes and fears after the CBS merger, and what they think will happen next

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What the CBS-Viacom merger means for employees, the future of TV, and the next round of deal-making

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