About
"I believe that the only philosophy of life that's compatible with sanity is optimism. And the other thing I believe, and I've taught to my kids from day one: success is not built on success; it's built on failure. Frustration. Sometimes even calamity -- and how we deal with it."
In his nearly two-hour interview, Sumner Redstone (1923-2020) reveals his early experiences as a code breaker during World War II and recalls his start at National Amusements, the drive-in theater company founded by his father. He shares how he quickly turned the company into a thriving nationwide theater chain and soon sought ways to diversify his interests. He discusses his purchase of Viacom in 1987 and the later acquisitions of Paramount, Blockbuster, and CBS. Redstone explains his philosophy for success, which includes a passion for winning and a commitment to excellence, and expounds upon his mantra that "content is king." Don West conducted the interview on November 16, 2000 in New York, NY.
Highlights
Sumner Redstone on "content is king"
Sumner Redstone on the legend of leaving a screening of "Star Wars" to buy shares of 20th Century Fox
Sumner Redstone on the role of government in broadcasting
Sumner Redstone on being caught in a hotel fire in 1979
Sumner Redstone on keeping up with current fads and trends
Sumner Redstone on repurposing content on TV Land and Nick at Nite
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his intense academic experience in high school; on Harvard and Harvard Law
On code breaking during World War II; on his first job after law school and getting out of the legal profession; on taking over his father's Drive-In theater business - National Amusement - the parent company of Viacom
On his accomplishments in theater exhibition - multiplexes; on being caught in a hotel fire in 1979; on aging; on National Amusement purchasing Viacom
Chapter 2
On Barry Diller and the Paramount battle; on getting out of cable operation and becoming the number one software-driven media company in the world
On Blockbuster and starting video-on-demand services; on MTV, UPN and CBS
On acquiring the WWE; on acquiring BET; on working with John Malone and Rupert Murdoch
Chapter 3
On if a media company can get too big; on the social responsibility of television; on the role of government in broadcasting
On how the television business will change; on his philosophy for success; on discipline and commitment
Chapter 4
On digital television and challenging cable; on HDTV and fragmentation; on repurposing content
On his stake in the new media world; on "content is king"; on Broadband and wireless; on successful brands
On future plans; on how much his teachers influenced him and on teaching at Harvard; on media consolidation and social responsibility; on being a risk taker; on his accomplishments
Topics
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Sumner Redstone on mentors and teachers in his career
Historic Events and Social Change
Sumner Redstone on code breaking during World War II
Media Consolidation
Sumner Redstone on the Paramount battle and Viacom becoming the number one software-driven media company in the world
Sumner Redstone on Viacom's acquisition of CBS, and on dealing with Mel Karmazin
Sumner Redstone on negotiating with John Malone to buy BET
Sumner Redstone on if a media company can get too big
Sumner Redstone on media consolidation
Network Creation
Sumner Redstone on his then-plans for UPN
New Media
Sumner Redstone on his deal with TiVo
Sumner Redstone on Viacom's stake in New Media in the then-future
Sumner Redstone on wireless and the internet
Pivotal Career Moments
Sumner Redstone on mentors and teachers in his career
Technological Innovation
Sumner Redstone on digital television and challenging cable, and on HDTV and fragmentation
Sumner Redstone on media consolidation
Television Industry
Sumner Redstone on the Paramount battle and Viacom becoming the number one software-driven media company in the world
Sumner Redstone on his deal with TiVo
Sumner Redstone on his then-plans for UPN
Sumner Redstone on Viacom's acquisition of CBS, and on dealing with Mel Karmazin
Sumner Redstone on negotiating with John Malone to buy BET
Sumner Redstone on if a media company can get too big
Sumner Redstone on the then future of television
Sumner Redstone on Viacom's stake in New Media in the then-future
Sumner Redstone on wireless and the internet
Sumner Redstone on media consolidation
War
Sumner Redstone on code breaking during World War II
World War II
Sumner Redstone on code breaking during World War II
Professions
Cable Executive
Sumner Redstone on purchasing Viacaom
Executives
Sumner Redstone on purchasing Viacaom
People
Barry Diller
Sumner Redstone on how he purchased Viacaom, by fighting Barry Diller and Paramount
Sumner Redstone on Barry Diller, the "Diller Sizzle," and the Paramount battle
Mel Karmazin
Sumner Redstone on Viacom's acquisition of CBS, and on dealing with Mel Karmazin
John Malone
Sumner Redstone on negotiating with John Malone to buy BET
Rupert Murdoch
Sumner Redstone on working with Rupert Murdoch