Here is a smattering of reactions to the Freston ouster at Viacom from Wall Street analysts. Generally, the view is hostile. The Street hates uncertainty and volatile shakeups certainly qualify. But technological change is hitting this industry fast and it is only natural to expect a great deal of volatility in the board room as well as on the stock ticker. One interesting piece of speculation – will Viacom do a quick deal with a significant internet player (can you say Yahoo!) to counter the apparent advantage that Murdoch/Fox gained with the (pricey!) acquisition of MySpace. Keep in mind that Terry Semel, CEO of Yahoo!, has an extensive Hollywood background, including stints with Warner, Disney and CBS (the latter a recent spin-off from Viacom).
STEPHEN F. DIAMOND
A legal scholar and political scientist at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley.
