Deals
CBS Discussed Buying Starz Days Before Announcing Viacom Deal
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CBS Corp. was weighing the idea of buying the Starz cable network just days before announcing its merger with Viacom Inc., according to a regulatory filing.
CBS Chief Executive Officer Joseph Ianniello and Viacom Chief Executive Officer Bob Bakish discussed CBS’s “continued interest” in a potential deal with “Company A” on July 31, according to the filing. The target was identified as Starz, according to a person familiar with the matter. CBS and Viacom announced plans to merge on Aug. 13.