Viacom's Redstone Just Hedging Google/YouTube Bets?

One massive old media conglomerate, Viacom, is so outraged about Google's "willful copyright infringement" that it is suing Google for $1 billion.  Another massive old media conglomerate, CBS, finds Google so easy and fair to deal with that it has struck a major clip-distribution deal.  Is this strange?  Only because both conglomerates are run by the same man.

Possible interpretations:

1. Sumner Redstone really has gotten absent-minded in his later years.
2. Les Moonves actually does run CBS.
3. Phillippe Dauman actually does run Viacom.
4. Sumner Redstone still is a clever fellow...one who wants to continue to gather as much information as possible while he decides what to do about YouTube.

Interpretation 1 is possible, but unlikely.  Interpretations 2 and 3 are inconceivable.  So my money's on No. 4.

Comments

[King Troll]

Man, i'd like to punch him right in the mouth and wipe that smirk right after off his face.

His face seems to say, yes I have more money than you Shmidt. I don't know who I hate more: him, Eric or Robin Williams. Would litterally give $1000 just to be able to fight all 3 of them.

[Joslyn]

Well, it could just mean that (in this case) CBS had the upper hand. They've got the hottest sports events all month, and YouTube would certainly want a part of that. Also, since it's a short-term thing (these clips are only relevant for the next month, even if they remain up forever) maybe CBS wanted to try it. Also, you're neglecting that these are just clips -- not full games. I've seen full episodes of Viacom content on there, which I'm sure they can't be too happy about.

But, maybe he's just hedging bets. Redstone seems to be up for trying new things -- with the Joost deal and MTV's new online strategy. Maybe he's been pushed tp try new stuff. Either way, new stuff is good.

- Joslyn

[Dan]

And people say commenters on blogs are obnoxious, puerile, witless, emotionally stunted, and unable to control their emotions. And that they say things from the safety of their darkened basement that they would never say in real life. Thanks, "King Troll," for proving otherwise.

[Victor]

http://blogs.business2.com/apple/2007/03/photo_is_this_t.html

Is this the google phone?

ps I actually agree with Troll for once! Dude, Robin Williams is the worst of the worst

[Victor]

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2007/03/ballmer_on_goog.html

Ballmer on Google: Same FUD, Different Day.

[akenna]

i dont believe this
sohbet

[ahmeD]

Thank You

Chat

[ahmeD]

Thank You

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