Wade Davis


Inside the rise of Pluto TV: “This is not Viacom Direct”

Pluto TV was thusly named because of the AVOD platform’s perceived underdog status in a galaxy of SVODs. Now, with the multi-billion-dollar backing of ViacomCBS, its universe is fast expanding – but it vows not to become Viacom Now.  When it launched in 2013, Pluto TV was doing virtually the opposite of most major content […]

CBS, Viacom agree on management team for merged company

The on-again, off-again CBS/Viacom merger looks to be entering its final stages, with the companies reportedly agreeing upon a management team that will lead the merged business. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Viacom boss Bob Bakish will be the CEO of a newly combined company, with acting CBS CEO Joe Ianniello set to […]

Viacom shares slide despite solid Q3 gains

Viacom shares have fallen sharply on news of a delayed payment from a Chinese partner and uncertainty about the future prospects of pay TV in the US after the media group posted Q3 results, despite it posting solid gains in revenue and profit. Viacom’s revenues for its fiscal third quarter rose by 8% to US$3.36 […]

New-look Viacom integrating film and TV

New Viacom CEO Bob Bakish has fleshed out his turnaround plan for the media giant and pledged to bring its TV brands to film and vice versa. Announcing a slate a new Nickelodeon movie for the Paramount studio, Bob Bakish said the core Viacom channels will each contribute cobranded features to the slate of Viacom […]

Dooley follows Dauman out of Viacom

The interim president and CEO of Viacom, Tom Dooley, will leave the media giant in November. Dooley (pictured) has informed the board of his decision to exit on November 15 “to facilitate an orderly transition”. The news came in an announcement that also revealed: Former CEO Philippe Dauman’s plan to sell 49% of film division […]

Viacom, Snapchat in ‘unprecedented’ pact

US media giant Viacom has entered into what it describes as an “unprecedented global partnership” with social platform Snapchat. The wide-ranging agreement covers content production and advertising sales. Two Viacom networks, Comedy Central International and MTV’s US feed, will be added to Snapchat Discovery, a multiplatform service that bring together video, images and text. They […]

Viacom adds M&A expert to ranks

US media giant Viacom has appointed a mergers and acquisitions specialist to its ranks. Alex Berkett has been named senior VP, corporate development, reporting to CFO Wade Davis. He will lead Viacom’s global corporate development and M&A activity, working with senior executives on partnerships, joint ventures and investments, advising and leading negotiations. Berkett joins fro […]

Viacom promotes Wade Davis to CFO

Viacom has promoted Wade Davis to chief financial officer, replacing Jimmy Barge. Davis, who was previously executive vice president, strategy and corporate development, was responsible for overseeing the company’s acquisition of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brand as well as its joint ventures including Indian broadcaster Viacom18 and US cable network Epix. He will now […]