Topic: Viacom

The hosts discuss the availability of RT on streaming platforms like Pluto TV and Roku. They suspect that Viacom-owned Pluto TV will likely remove the channel following the broader trend of de-platforming Russian media. They also comment on the cluttered interface of modern streaming services.

The hosts discuss the nuances of executive producer titles in Hollywood versus podcasting, referencing producer Dana Brunetti. Steve Webb, an "OG Godcaster," is knighted and promotes his "Web's Easy Bible Names Pronunciation Guide," which covers 7,600 names. The segment concludes with a discussion on Elon Musk's simulation theory.

Viacom purchased the free streaming service Pluto TV for $340 million. The discussion compares Pluto TV's superior engineering and instant channel loading to the "horrible" performance of Comcast's Xfinity streaming service. The acquisition is viewed as a move by Viacom to acquire reliable streaming technology that larger telecommunications giants have failed to master.

The departure of Les Moonves from CBS following sexual harassment allegations is linked to Shari Redstone's long-standing goal of merging CBS and Viacom. The scandal, which also involved executives like Jeff Fager and Don Hewitt, is viewed by some as a strategic move to clear the path for corporate reunification.

CBS Chairman Les Moonves faces allegations of sexual misconduct following an expose by Ronan Farrow in The New Yorker. The timing of the allegations is linked to a corporate power struggle between Moonves and Shari Redstone over the potential re-merger of CBS and Viacom. Moonves acknowledges past mistakes but denies allegations of sexual assault, while his wife, Julie Chen, issued a statement of support.

The hosts categorize the political leanings of major television networks, labeling CBS as a pro-Hillary Clinton operation influenced by Sumner Redstone. They suggest ABC has historically favored Jeb Bush, while NBC's ownership by Comcast reflects more conservative corporate interests. The Wounded Warrior Project "hit piece" is cited as evidence of CBS's strategic efforts to undermine Trump's campaign narrative.

Vice Media CEO Shane Smith appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to discuss the brand's growth among millennials and its "non-political" reporting from conflict zones like ISIS-controlled territory. The hosts deconstruct Smith's claim of not being a "sellout," pointing to significant investments from 21st Century Fox, WPP, and Viacom. They suggest Vice's reporting is often staged or influenced by its mainstream corporate board members.

Jon Stewart's announced departure from "The Daily Show" prompts a look back at his tenure and the show's origins under Craig Kilborn. It is suggested that Stewart's personal brand became inseparable from the program, making it difficult for a successor to maintain its success. Stewart's move toward film direction is viewed as a natural progression following the success of his peers like Steve Carell.

The credibility and valuation of Vice Media are questioned, with the hosts suggesting that many of their "edgy" documentaries are scripted or rigged. The involvement of former Viacom executive Tom Freston and founder Shane Smith is highlighted as Vice moves toward a multi-billion dollar valuation.

Dennis Rodman's visit to North Korea is scrutinized as a corporate-sponsored event involving Vice Media and the Harlem Globetrotters. Research is presented claiming that Viacom has held a quiet investment in Vice since 2007, funding their expensive international productions. The hosts suggest the trip was a coordinated effort by media interests, potentially involving Disney, to scout opportunities in the isolated nation.

Internal conflict at NBC has surfaced regarding a planned Hillary Clinton miniseries produced by the entertainment division. NBC News journalists, including Chuck Todd, expressed concern that the entertainment project compromises the news division's perceived objectivity. The hosts discuss how news divisions often promote entertainment products to maintain corporate profitability.

A 1993 legal battle between Viacom and a host over the MTV.com domain name serves as a warning about the dangers of legal discovery. During the proceedings, private emails were printed and presented in court without context to paint the defendant as malicious. This anecdote illustrates how private communications can be weaponized by prosecutors or opposing counsel when stripped of their original intent.

The film Olympus Has Fallen is analyzed as a propaganda tool that mirrors real-world tensions with North Korea. Producer Avi Lerner and Millennium Pictures are identified as key players, with the hosts noting Lerner's history as a film distributor in Israel and his financial ties to Viacom and Blockbuster. Matt Lauer's interview with Gerard Butler is used to illustrate how movie publicity departments coordinate with news cycles.

Dennis Rodman's visit to North Korea is linked to Vice Media, which the hosts reveal is significantly funded or owned by Viacom. They discuss the involvement of the Harlem Globetrotters, a Disney-owned entity, in the diplomatic trip. The segment concludes with an anecdote about meeting Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone in South Korea.

Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus discusses her new show "Veep" on Jon Stewart's program, mentioning a non-disclosure agreement regarding meetings with Vice Presidents. The hosts find the secrecy surrounding a meeting with Al Gore to be peculiar. The segment concludes with a reminder that only six companies now own the vast majority of American media outlets.

The hosts criticize the media for ignoring the technical language of UN Security Council resolutions on Syria, which mention "advance teams" as a precursor to larger missions. Simultaneously, the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking is used by parent companies Viacom and Fox to promote James Cameron's 3D re-release. The "captivated" narrative is described as a manufactured media memo.

The MTV Europe Music Awards in Belfast are criticized for featuring exclusively American acts and presenters who are all under the Viacom corporate umbrella. A clip of Snooki and JWoww from "Jersey Shore" presenting an award is used to illustrate the perceived decline of European cultural exports.

The hosts discuss the ownership of CBS by Sumner Redstone and the recent addition of Charlie Rose to the morning lineup. They mention Charlie Rose's interview with Molly Wood and speculate on the network's shifting editorial stance toward the Obama administration.

Jon Stewart's interview with former RNC Chairman Michael Steele notably avoided mentioning Ron Paul, despite Stewart's previous segment criticizing the media for doing the exact same thing. The hosts suggest that a "memo" may have come down from Viacom or Comedy Central leadership to drop the Ron Paul narrative. This shift is presented as evidence that even satirical news programs are compromised by corporate interests and advertisers.

The public breakdown of actor Charlie Sheen is analyzed as a business dispute with producer Chuck Lorre rather than a simple mental health crisis. The hosts compare the media's "wacko" narrative to the treatment of Michael Jackson. A debate occurs regarding the ownership of CBS, clarifying it is owned by Viacom/National Amusements rather than Sony.