Viacom’s Struggles Raise Questions of Control

New York Times: Viacom’s troubles might have brought swift retribution from shareholders and directors in prior years. A fired CEO would certainly have been the beginning of the consequences. Yet, Viacom is different. It has dual-class stock gives control to Sumner Redstone, its 92-year-old chairman. Redstone has refused to name his successor. He is instead known for his succession plan, which he has summed up as, “I’m not going to die.” This strategy rarely ends well.