Paramount Settles Shareholder Lawsuit Over Viacom-CBS Merger For $122.5 Million

According to a report from Deadline, Paramount Global—a multinational media conglomerate based in New York City—has reached a $122.5 million settlement in a shareholder lawsuit over the merger between Viacom and CBS. The settlement agreement was officially disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Here, our West Palm Beach shareholder litigation attorneys explain the key issues in this case.

An Overview of the Shareholder Dispute Regarding the Viacom/CBS Merger Agreement 

In 2019, CBS and Viacom announced a merger to form a new media giant, ViacomCBS Inc., aimed at strengthening their competitive position in the rapidly evolving entertainment industry. The merger, however, led to a shareholder lawsuit filed by a group of investors claiming that the deal unfairly favored the interests of National Amusements Inc. (NAI), the controlling shareholder of both CBS and Viacom, and the company’s president, Shari Redstone.

The plaintiffs argue that the transaction undervalued CBS, benefiting NAI and Redstone at the expense of other CBS shareholders. They allege that the merger process was tainted by conflicts of interest and that the CBS board failed to exercise proper fiduciary duties to protect minority shareholders’ interests. As disclosed to the SEC, the shareholder dispute has now been resolved for $122.5.

Mergers and Acquisitions are a High Risk Time for Shareholder Disputes 

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) represent a high-risk period for shareholder disputes, as the process often involves complex negotiations, power dynamics, and financial considerations. During this critical time, the interests of various stakeholders, including shareholders, management, employees, and customers, may not always align, leading to potential conflicts and legal battles. Some common causes of shareholder disputes during mergers include:

• Valuation Disagreements: Shareholders may disagree on the valuation of the companies involved in the merger, leading to disputes over the fairness of the deal terms and the distribution of ownership in the merged entity.
• Governance and Control Issues: Conflicts may arise over the composition of the board and management team, voting rights, and other governance matters in the combined entity.
• Minority Shareholder Protection: Minority shareholders may feel that their interests are not adequately protected in the merger process, leading to claims of unfair treatment or breach of fiduciary duties by the board or controlling shareholders.
• Employment and Executive Compensation Issues: Disputes may arise over the compensation, retention, and termination of key employees during a merger, potentially affecting shareholder value.
• Regulatory Compliance: Shareholders may question the merged company’s compliance with legal, financial, and regulatory requirements, leading to disputes and potential legal action.

Contact Our South Florida Shareholder Litigation Attorney for Immediate Help

At Pike & Lustig, LLP, we are qualified to handle the full range of shareholder disputes. Whether you are a minority shareholder in a closely held corporation or you are a shareholder in a large publicly traded company, our attorneys are here to help. Give us a call now or connect with us online to set up your fully private, no obligation case assessment. Our law firm handles shareholder disputes in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, and throughout the surrounding area.

Source:

deadline.com/2023/03/paramount-pays-122-million-to-settle-2019-shareholder-lawsuit-viacom-cbs-merger-1235277777/