The boss of MTV's parent company Viacom - Mel Karmazin - has resigned somewhat unexpectedly. The resignation will be immediate, leaving the heads of the group's two main TV divisions - MTV's Tom Freston and CBS's Les Moonves - to jointly take over the top job in the short term.
Confirming Karmazin's resignation, Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone (who had reportedly clashed with Karmazin on a number of issues) told the group's employees: "After four years guiding our Company, Mel Karmazin has decided to resign. As we all know, Mel has made incalculable contributions to Viacom since the merger of Viacom and CBS and has been instrumental in making us the best-managed company in the media industry. I know you will join me in wishing him well."
On the appointment of Freston and Moonves, he continued: "They have served as key members of Viacom's executive management team, and have been integral in shaping the Company's strategic direction and overall financial performance."