Who Owns CBS?

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.