Sumner Redstone

Executive

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his nearly two-hour Archive 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 nation-wide 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.

"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."

People Talking About ...

Sumner Redstone

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

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