Leslie Moonves – News Stories About Leslie Moonves - Page 1

Report: CBS Boss Had Worker 'On Call' for Oral Sex

Lawyers say Moonves was 'evasive and untruthful'

(Newser) - Former CBS chairman and CEO Les Moonves engaged in widespread sexual misconduct in the workplace, according to a report from lawyers the network hired to investigate allegations. Investigators were told by multiple CBS employees that Moonves kept a woman on the payroll "on call to perform oral sex,"...

Julie Chen Backs Hubby Moonves With Single Word

'I'm Julie Chen Moonves,' host said in CBS return

(Newser) - There was no time for Julie Chen to address the ousting of her husband , CBS chairman Leslie Moonves, in the latest episode of Big Brother on Thursday, but she did offer a clear show of support. "From outside the Big Brother house, I'm Julie Chen Moonves," the...

Moonves May Get $100M Payout From CBS

But it depends on the results of sexual harassment investigation

(Newser) - Les Moonves is departing CBS as sexual harassment allegations continue to pile up—but he won't exactly be leaving empty-handed. The New York Times , citing "sources familiar with the settlement agreement," reports that the longtime chief executive could receive more than $120 million under his agreement with...

A Somber Colbert Does Not Have His Boss' Back

Amid Leslie Moonves scandal, host says accountability must apply to everyone

(Newser) - Stephen Colbert returned from vacation Monday and addressed the sexual misconduct allegations against his boss, CBS exec Leslie Moonves. In this video clip , Colbert says he doesn't know what the fallout will be, because "in a situation like this, I'd normally call Les," per Deadline . In...

Leslie Moonves' Wife Comes to His Defense

After Bombshell Allegations, Moonves' Wife Defends Him

Julie Chen says CBS exec is 'kind, decent and moral'

(Newser) - Leslie Moonves has at least one high-profile defender in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations leveled against the CBS head honcho. It's his wife, Julie Chen, reports People . “I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late ’90s, and I have been married to him for...

6 Women Accuse CBS' Moonves of Misconduct

Six Feet Under Star Among Those Accusing CBS' Moonves

Total of 6 women allege sexual misconduct against CEO in 'New Yorker' story

(Newser) - It's out. The expected exposé from the New Yorker about CBS CEO Leslie Moonves has landed, and it could be big trouble for the Hollywood giant. In the lengthy story by Ronan Farrow, six women accuse the 68-year-old of sexual misconduct that stretches from the 1980s to more recent...

Ronan Farrow's New Exposé Target: CBS' Leslie Moonves

CBS Honcho Leslie Moonves May Be Next 'MeToo' Casualty

'New Yorker' to publish allegations of sexual misconduct regarding the CEO

(Newser) - Ronan Farrow, the journalist whose work helped bring down Harvey Weinstein , has another powerful figure in his sights: Leslie Moonves, the CEO of CBS. To be clear, the story in the New Yorker isn't out yet, but it's expected to be published Friday afternoon, per the Hollywood Reporter...

The 10 Most Powerful People in Hollywood

Leo is the only actor in the upper echelon

(Newser) - For the first time, the Hollywood Reporter has put together a list of the 100 most powerful people in entertainment, though it's what Paste Magazine describes as a list "celebrating the accomplishments of … white guys." Only 19 women and 10 people of color make the cut....

CBS Chief, 92, Quits Amid 'Living Ghost' Lawsuit

Battle for future of CBS, Viacom lies ahead

(Newser) - Big changes lie ahead at CBS and Viacom, where 92-year-old chairman Sumner Redstone is stepping down amid lawsuits and power struggles. CBS announced on Wednesday that Redstone has resigned to become "chairman emeritus" and that CBS CEO Leslie Moonves will take his place, the New York Times reports. A...

CBS Honcho Wants Sheen Back Now

Les Moonves pushing for star's return, says Radar

(Newser) - In spite of all his tiger blood-fueled antics and misdemeanors, rumor has it that CBS wants Charlie Sheen back on Two and a Half Men. CBS head honcho Les Moonves has expressed said desire to Warner Bros. Television, the company that produces the show, a "well-placed insider" tells Radar...

NBC, CBS At Odds on How to Survive

Zucker trumpets new model; Moonves aims for hit shows

(Newser) - America’s oldest TV broadcasters see very different roads ahead as they navigate today’s world of splintering audiences, Advertising Age reports. NBC is carving a new path, dropping five hours of potential scripted shows a week for a nightly Jay Leno show, and banking on its cable channels. CBS,...

Local TV Stations Could Go Off the Air

Networks consider jumping straight to cable

(Newser) - For decades, local TV stations ruled the airwaves and were treated with deference by the likes of ABC, CBS, and NBC, which needed them to reach their audiences. But as the recession has pummeled advertising revenue, most have been forced to make drastic cuts, and the networks are contemplating doing...

CBS 'Comfort Food' Wins Over Younger Viewers

Though all networks see viewership dip, Eye boasts much smaller slide

(Newser) - CBS isn’t supposed to jockey for the much-coveted 18-to-49-year-old demographic—it’s supposed to be the network of cop shows starring 50-year-olds. But it’s creaming its rivals during the fall TV season, the New York Times reports, and exec Les Moonves has a theory: “comfort food.”...

Want to Oust Couric? Show Her the Money

Firing underperforming Evening News anchor would cost CBS $40M

(Newser) - Katie Couric is keeping her CBS Evening News gig because it would be too expensive to fire her, sources tell the New York Post. Couric has a “pay or play” clause that would force the network to fork over $40 million if it replaces her. “The contract is...

So Long Katie; Don't Let the Door Hit You

Couric traded perky for automaton, but needed 'Michael Moore's DNA'

(Newser) - Katie Couric’s unhappy tenure as CBS Evening News anchor will soon end, and not a moment too soon for Nancy Franklin of the New Yorker. Couric seemed likely to succeed at the start, but she wound up ditching the qualities people liked in her and becoming a teleprompter-reading automaton....

CBS Shells Out $1.8B to Buy CNET

Network gives shareholders huge premium

(Newser) - CBS has agreed to buy CNET for $1.8 billion, the Wall Street Journal reports. The merger comes just as CNET was facing a full-scale shareholder revolt. Now, those investors are getting $11.50 a share, a price the stock hasn’t touched in two years and a 45% premium...

Couric Gets Vote of Confidence

Anchor's not going anywhere, CBS boss Moonves tells news staffers

(Newser) - Katie Couric will anchor the CBS Evening News for a long time to come, the network's CEO told staffers today, TVNewser reports. Les Moonves dropped in on the daily news meeting to dispel recent rumors that Couric is not long for the newscast, which sits at the bottom of the...

Trouble at CBS Runs Wide and Deep

Evening News turmoil is last thing Moonves needs

(Newser) - With trouble plaguing most divisions of CBS, last week's flap over Katie Couric's contract was just one of the countless items on Les Moonves' to-do list, the New York Times reports. Ad sales are down industry-wide, Fox is on the tail of the prime-time division and gaining fast, and the...

Claims Chucked in Rather's Suit Against CBS

$70M action can go forward, but without charges against execs

(Newser) - A judge dismissed today some claims of fraud, breach of good faith, and fair dealing in a lawsuit filed against CBS top brass by former anchor Dan Rather, Variety reports. The $70 million suit charges CBS made Rather a scapegoat in the firestorm following revelations “Sixty Minutes” used dubious...

Writers' Strike Deals Strong Dose of Reality

If no deal comes soon, expect more dancing, survivors, idols on TV

(Newser) - Reality will likely strike primetime TV with a vengeance if stalled talks between screen scribes and networks don't kick into gear, the New York Times reports. With most popular dramas on hiatus for lack of scripts, reality shows are about to explode onto the airwaves—and they may well stick...