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Who Owns CBS? Inside the Ownership of America’s Iconic Broadcaster

CBS stands as one of the most recognized names in American media, known for its influential television network, extensive news coverage, and a portfolio of entertainment brands. But who truly owns CBS today? Understanding CBS’s ownership is key for anyone interested in media industry trends, corporate governance, or the evolving landscape of global entertainment. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the entities, families, and power structures that wield control over CBS and what this means for viewers, investors, and the future of broadcasting.

Top Takeaways

  • CBS is currently owned by Paramount Global, a media conglomerate formed through the merger of CBS Corporation and Viacom in 2019[5][3].
  • The Redstone family, through National Amusements Inc. (NAI), holds a controlling voting interest in Paramount Global, directly influencing CBS’s strategic direction[3].
  • CBS operates under a dual-class share structure, giving more voting power to select shareholders, mainly NAI[3].
  • The company trades publicly, but most voting control remains in the hands of the Redstone family, with minority shares held by major institutional investors[7].
  • Shari Redstone serves as chairwoman of Paramount Global, continuing the family’s legacy in media[5].
  • For a detailed breakdown of CBS’s ownership and related media giants, visit the Who Owns CBS page on whoowns.co.uk.

Table of Contents

The Evolution of CBS Ownership
Meet Paramount Global: CBS’s Parent Company
The Redstone Family and National Amusements
CBS’s Share Structure and Major Shareholders
Corporate Governance and Key Players
CBS Ownership: What It Means for Viewers and Investors
Explore More: Additional Resources and Internal Links
FAQ: Who Owns CBS?

The Evolution of CBS Ownership

CBS has undergone multiple transformations in its nearly century-long history. Originally founded as a radio network, CBS evolved into one of the United States’ “Big Three” television networks. Over time, it expanded through mergers, acquisitions, and strategic realignments. The most pivotal change came in recent years:

  • In August 2019, CBS Corporation and Viacom announced a re-merger after years of operating as separate entities. The recombined company was named ViacomCBS, which has since been rebranded as Paramount Global[5].
  • As a result, CBS ceased to exist as an independent company and became one of the flagship networks within Paramount Global.

This ongoing evolution reflects broader trends in media consolidation and synergy, shaping how content is created, distributed, and consumed.

Meet Paramount Global: CBS’s Parent Company

Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) is the parent company of CBS. It is a global media powerhouse with assets across television, film, publishing, and digital streaming. Paramount Global owns:

  • The CBS television network and all its affiliates
  • Paramount Pictures film studio
  • Showtime Networks
  • Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, and other cable brands
  • Simon & Schuster (until its recent sale)
  • Various international media properties

Paramount Global is publicly traded on the NASDAQ (tickers: VIAC, VIACA), but the true voting power lies elsewhere[5].

The Redstone Family and National Amusements

The Redstone family, through National Amusements Inc. (NAI), is the controlling force behind Paramount Global and, by extension, CBS.

  • National Amusements Inc. holds approximately 80% of the voting power in Paramount Global[3].
  • This control is accomplished via a dual-class share structure, which allows NAI to control strategic decisions, mergers, executive appointments, and major business moves.
  • Shari Redstone, daughter of media magnate Sumner Redstone, currently serves as chairwoman, continuing the family’s influence over the conglomerate[5][3].

The Redstones’ control allows CBS to operate with strategic stability, but it also occasionally creates public legal battles, as seen in past disputes over mergers and management decisions [3].

CBS’s Share Structure and Major Shareholders

CBS—and now Paramount Global—utilizes a dual-class share structure. This means:

  • There are two primary types of shares: those with high voting rights (held by National Amusements) and those with limited voting rights (traded publicly)[3][7].
  • While individual and institutional investors can buy shares, the majority of voting control remains with NAI.
  • Major institutional investors in the publicly traded shares have included Morgan Stanley Investment Management (22.85% of float) and Wells Fargo Bank (16%) among others[7].
  • According to reports, CBS Corp’s estimated net worth is over $1.5 billion, with assets and stakes in various media entities[1].

Corporate Governance and Key Players

Corporate governance at CBS/Paramount Global blends family influence and independent oversight.

  • Shari Redstone (Chairwoman, Paramount Global)
  • Board members from diverse backgrounds, including former CEOs, legal experts, and financiers[5]
  • The management team led by CEO Bob Bakish (Paramount Global) and previous key executives from both CBS and Viacom[5]

This governance structure has, at times, led to clashes between family interests and independent directors but continues to shape CBS’s direction in a rapidly changing media world [3][5].

CBS Ownership: What It Means for Viewers and Investors

CBS’s ownership directly impacts programming, corporate strategy, and investment stability.

  • For viewers: Consolidation with Paramount Global means more cross-platform content, streaming integration (like Paramount+), and global reach.
  • For investors: The dominance of National Amusements ensures strategic consistency but can limit outside shareholder influence on major decisions.

Understanding CBS’s ownership structure is critical for predicting future moves, including mergers, content expansion, and digital transformation.

Explore More: Additional Resources and Internal Links

For more details on CBS and media ownership:

FAQ: Who Owns CBS?

1. Who is the current owner of CBS?
The ultimate owner of CBS is Paramount Global, with National Amusements Inc. (NAI), controlled by the Redstone family, holding the majority of voting shares[3][5].

2. What is National Amusements Inc.?
NAI is a privately held holding company owned by the Redstone family, which owns the majority voting stakes in Paramount Global—and thus CBS and its sister brands[3].

3. Is CBS a publicly traded company?
CBS is now part of Paramount Global, which is publicly traded (NASDAQ: PARA). However, most voting control remains with National Amusements[5].

4. How has the Redstone family influenced CBS?
The Redstones have guided CBS’s strategic direction for decades, affecting major mergers, executive appointments, and business initiatives[3].

5. What does the dual-class share structure mean for investors?
It means that while anyone can buy non-voting or limited-voting shares on the market, control over strategic decisions stays with a select group—mainly National Amusements[3][7].

6. Where can I find more about media company ownership?
For a deeper dive, see Who Owns CBS or the media ownership resources at WhoOwns.co.uk.

7. Has CBS changed owners in recent years?
Yes, the most recent major change was the 2019 re-merger of CBS and Viacom, forming what is now Paramount Global[5].

For more insights into the world of corporate ownership, explore the Who Owns portal and stay ahead in understanding the structures shaping the media you trust and enjoy.

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