Who Owns CBS?
CBS is owned by Paramount Global, a publicly traded American mass media and entertainment conglomerate. CBS operates as Paramount Global's flagship broadcast television network and primary news division. Paramount Global is headquartered in New York City, USA and trades on NASDAQ under PARA.
Parent Company
Unknown
Founded
1927
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Who Owns CBS?
History of CBS
- Founded: 1927
- Founders: William S. Paley, Arthur Judson
CBS traces its origins to 1927 when it was founded as the Columbia Broadcasting System by Arthur Judson and William S. Paley. Paley acquired controlling interest in 1928 and transformed the struggling network into a major force in American broadcasting. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing potential of broadcast media while establishing a distinctive approach to quality programming that would define American broadcasting for generations.
Throughout the golden age of radio and early television, CBS became known for quality programming and innovation. The network launched iconic radio shows and transitioned successfully to television, introducing groundbreaking series like "I Love Lucy," "The Twilight Zone," and "60 Minutes." This period of innovation demonstrated CBS's exceptional ability to adapt to changing media technologies while maintaining consistent programming excellence and creative leadership.
Under William Paley's leadership, CBS became known as the "Tiffany Network" for its high-quality programming and sophisticated approach. The network built a reputation for news excellence with Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite, establishing CBS News as a trusted source of journalism. This commitment to quality programming and journalistic excellence created a competitive advantage that would define CBS's market position for decades.
The network faced various ownership changes and corporate restructurings throughout the late 20th century. In 2000, CBS merged with Viacom, creating a media powerhouse. The companies split in 2006 but reunited in 2019 when Viacom and CBS Corporation merged to form ViacomCBS, which rebranded as Paramount Global in 2022. This series of corporate changes demonstrated CBS's ability to maintain its brand identity and programming excellence while adapting to changing media industry structures and market conditions.
The reunification with Viacom under Paramount Global represents a significant strategic milestone in media consolidation, bringing together CBS's broadcast excellence with Viacom's cable and content production capabilities. This demonstrates CBS's continued evolution in the modern media landscape while preserving the core values that have defined its success for nearly a century.
About
What does Paramount Global own?
Paramount Global owns and operates a comprehensive portfolio of entertainment brands including Paramount Pictures film studio, CBS broadcast network, Paramount+ streaming service, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and Pluto TV. The company also holds significant content libraries and production facilities across film, television, and digital media platforms.
Is Paramount Global publicly traded?
Yes, Paramount Global is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under ticker symbols PARA (Class A shares) and PARAA (Class B shares). The company has been publicly traded since the 2019 Viacom/CBS merger and is included in major stock market indices.
Who founded Paramount Global?
Paramount Global was formed through the December 2019 merger of Viacom and CBS Corporation, reuniting companies that had been separated in 2006. The merger was led by the boards and leadership teams of both companies, with Bob Bakish serving as the initial CEO of the combined entity.
Where is Paramount Global headquartered?
Paramount Global is headquartered in New York City, New York, USA. The company maintains its primary corporate offices in Manhattan, with additional production facilities and operations in Los Angeles and other entertainment industry hubs.
How many subscribers does Paramount+ have?
Paramount+ reached 79 million global subscribers as of 2025, representing 11% year-over-year growth. The streaming service continues to expand internationally and is a key component of Paramount's direct-to-consumer strategy.
Who owns Paramount Global?
Paramount Global is owned by public shareholders through its NASDAQ-listed shares, with the Redstone family maintaining control through National Amusements' holdings of Class B shares with ten votes per share. Institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders own the remaining publicly traded shares.
What is Paramount Global's revenue?
Paramount Global reported annual revenue of approximately $28.1 billion for fiscal year 2024. The company targets overall revenue of $30 billion for fiscal 2026, driven by streaming growth and improved operational efficiency across its business segments.
Paramount Global employs approximately 24,500 people worldwide, with major operations in New York, Los Angeles, and other global locations. The company continues to invest heavily in streaming technology and content production to compete in the evolving media landscape.
- Founded:
- Headquarters:
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is CBS Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C.
CBS Sustainability & Ethics
CBS operates under Paramount Global's comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, which addresses environmental responsibility, ethical journalism practices, and social impact within the media and entertainment industry. As Paramount Global's flagship broadcast network, CBS participates in the company's sustainability initiatives while maintaining its own commitments to journalistic integrity and social responsibility.
Paramount Global ESG Leadership: Paramount Global releases annual ESG reports highlighting progress across three key areas: On-Screen Content & Social Impact, Workforce & Culture, and Sustainable Production & Operations. CBS contributes to these initiatives through its programming content diversity, workforce representation, and sustainable production practices.
Content for Change Initiative: Through Paramount's Content for Change initiative, CBS uses the power of storytelling to transform perspectives and counteract bias, stereotypes, and hate in society. Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has expanded to include more than 30 programs and initiatives, bringing important issues and stories to the forefront for audiences across CBS's broadcast and digital platforms.
Sustainable Production: CBS has implemented sustainable production practices across its news and entertainment programming. The network participates in Paramount's Peak Sustainability strategy, which includes comprehensive climate action pledges addressing environmental impacts across production operations. CBS studios and facilities have adopted energy-efficient lighting, waste reduction programs, and sustainable sourcing for production materials.
Workforce Diversity and Inclusion: CBS maintains commitment to building a culture of meritocracy and inclusivity, reflecting the diversity of communities it serves. The network has implemented diversity hiring initiatives, mentorship programs, and employee resource groups. Paramount's Board includes diverse representation, with seven directors self-identifying as women, two as LGBTQ+, two as African American, and one as Hispanic or Latinx.
Ethical Journalism Standards: CBS News maintains strict ethical guidelines for journalistic practices, including accuracy, fairness, and independence in reporting. The network has established protocols for conflict of interest disclosure, source protection, and editorial decision-making processes to maintain journalistic integrity while operating within a corporate structure.
Environmental Operations: CBS's broadcast facilities and operations have implemented energy conservation measures, waste reduction programs, and sustainable procurement policies. The network's digital transformation has enabled reduced paper usage and more efficient content distribution, lowering the environmental footprint of news and entertainment delivery.
Community Engagement: CBS participates in local community initiatives, educational programs, and public service campaigns. The network's stations across the United States engage in community service, local journalism, and emergency information dissemination, demonstrating CBS's commitment to serving local communities while maintaining national broadcast leadership.
Awards & Recognition
CBS has received extensive recognition for excellence in journalism, entertainment programming, and news coverage throughout its nearly century-long history. The network's awards span multiple categories including investigative reporting, news documentaries, entertainment series, and technical achievements in broadcasting.
News & Documentary Emmy Awards (2025): CBS led all broadcast networks at the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards, taking home five awards. "60 Minutes" won three awards, including Outstanding Continuing News Coverage: Longform for "Border Coverage," Outstanding Investigative News Coverage: Longform for "Targeting Americans," and Outstanding Edited Interview for "Pope Francis." CBS Sunday Morning received awards for Outstanding Light Feature Story: Shortform for "Face to Face" and Outstanding Writing: News for "Empty Rooms."
Peabody Awards: CBS News and CBS Entertainment have received numerous Peabody Awards for excellence in broadcasting and storytelling. "60 Minutes" holds the record for most Peabody Awards among television news magazines, recognizing its decades of investigative journalism and impactful storytelling. CBS News documentaries and special reports have been consistently recognized for their depth, accuracy, and social impact.
Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards: CBS News has received multiple duPont Awards, considered among the most prestigious prizes in broadcast journalism. These awards recognize CBS's excellence in investigative reporting, breaking news coverage, and documentary journalism that serves the public interest.
George Foster Peabody Career Achievement: Several CBS journalists have received career achievement awards, including notable recognition for Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Murrow, and other legendary CBS News figures who helped define broadcast journalism standards.
Television Academy Honors: CBS entertainment programming has received numerous Primetime Emmy Awards across drama, comedy, and reality categories. Iconic CBS series like "All in the Family," "MAS*H," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and more recent hits have been recognized for their cultural impact and programming excellence.
Edward R. Murrow Awards: The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has honored CBS News with multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in electronic journalism, recognizing achievements in news reporting, documentary production, and innovation in news delivery.
Walter Cronkite Award: Several CBS News journalists have received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, named after the legendary CBS anchor who set standards for broadcast journalism integrity and public service.
Industry Leadership Recognition: CBS has been recognized by industry publications and professional organizations for its innovation in digital news delivery, streaming integration, and multiplatform content distribution. The network's adaptation to changing media consumption habits while maintaining journalistic quality has been noted as exemplary in media industry analysis.
CBS Recalls & Controversies
CBS has faced several significant controversies throughout its history, particularly regarding editorial independence, legal challenges, and leadership transitions. These issues have tested the network's commitment to journalistic integrity while operating within a corporate media structure.
Trump Lawsuit and Settlement (2024-2025): CBS faced a highly controversial lawsuit from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump over a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris. Trump alleged that CBS engaged in deceptive editing by airing different portions of Harris's response in different contexts. The lawsuit, filed in Amarillo, Texas, sought initially $10 billion and later $20 billion in damages. In July 2025, Paramount Global settled the lawsuit for $16 million, with funds allocated to Trump's future presidential library and legal fees. The settlement did not include an apology but included an agreement that "60 Minutes" would release future interview transcripts with presidential candidates.
Leadership Departures (2025): Following the Trump lawsuit settlement, CBS News experienced significant leadership changes. Bill Owens, executive producer of "60 Minutes," departed in April 2025, citing inability to "run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience." Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations, also stepped down, stating "It's become clear that the company and I do not agree on a path forward."
Political Pressure and First Amendment Concerns: The Trump lawsuit raised significant First Amendment concerns, with constitutional law experts calling it an "outrageous violation of First Amendment principles." Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden sent a letter to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone expressing concerns that settling would amount to bribery. The controversy highlighted tensions between corporate media ownership and editorial independence.
FCC Complaints and Regulatory Scrutiny: CBS faced FCC complaints over the Harris interview, with conservative groups filing news distortion complaints. Outgoing FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel dismissed the complaint, but after Trump took office, new FCC Chair Brendan Carr reopened the investigation and threatened "maximum fines and punishment" against CBS.
Historical Controversies: Throughout its history, CBS has faced various controversies including the 2004 "Rathergate" incident involving questionable documents about George W. Bush's military service, which led to Dan Rather's departure from the evening news anchor position. The network has also faced criticism over reality show practices, entertainment programming decisions, and news coverage choices.
Ownership and Corporate Influence: CBS's multiple ownership changes and corporate restructurings have raised questions about editorial independence. The 2000 merger with Viacom, 2006 split, and 2019 reunion have created ongoing debates about maintaining journalistic integrity within corporate media structures.
Diversity and Representation Challenges: CBS has faced criticism over the years regarding diversity in both on-air talent and behind-the-scenes representation. The network has made efforts to address these concerns through diversity initiatives and programming changes, though challenges persist in reflecting America's demographic diversity fully.
Digital Transformation Challenges: Like traditional media companies, CBS has faced difficulties adapting to digital platforms and streaming competition. The network's efforts to balance traditional broadcasting with digital innovation have sometimes resulted in strategic missteps and internal cultural tensions.
CBS Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Major broadcast network with nationwide reach and affiliate relationships
- +Prestigious news division with trusted journalism and investigative reporting
- +Strong entertainment programming with popular shows and sports coverage
- +Integration with Paramount Global's content library and streaming services
- +Backed by Paramount Global's financial resources and strategic direction
Considerations
- -Declining broadcast television viewership due to streaming competition
- -High programming costs and production expenses for premium content
- -Competition from streaming services and digital entertainment platforms
- -Regulatory scrutiny over media concentration and cross-ownership
- -Balance between traditional broadcast and digital transformation
Frequently Asked Questions About CBS
Sources & Further Reading
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