Parsing the Viacom Split

by Steven Zeitchik and Jim Milliot, PW Daily -- Publishers Weekly, 6/15/2005

One publishing question to watch in the splitting of Viacom properties into two companies: synergy. Many of S&S's intra-corporate partnerships are with divisions that will end up on the other side of the fence.

MTV, for example, is a pipeline for content for some titles at MTV Books, while on the children's side Nickelodeon is practically a feeder school on franchises like Blue's Clues and SpongeBob.

As you may have heard, Simon & Schuster will be part of CBS Corp when Viacom splits its businesses into two companies next year. The publishing house will join other mature businesses such as CBS and UPN broadcast networks, Infinity Broadcasting and Paramount Parks. Viacom will retain faster growing businesses such as MTV Networks and BET,

One consequence of the move that will allay some S&S-watchers is that the split makes it less likely, though still not impossible, that the publishing unit will be sold. More in next week's magazine.