Sumner Redstone's CBS Corp. and Viacom have had great success airing reality shows about the lives of celebrities and other wealthy socialites, so maybe the secret to lifting the fortunes of CBS's troubled, fledgling TV network The CW is to air a new reality show called "The Redstones."
The family's secrets regularly appear in the pages of The New York Post and other newspapers, so why not air the dirty laundry through one of the family's various media outlets? As a CBS or Viacom produced TV show, at least Sumner Redstone can control the filter and only air what makes him look like a sweet octogenarian rather than a hard-dealing businessman.
Donald Trump already has proven through "The Apprentice" that the American public will watch a show about a dealmaker if it is produced right.
Clearly, Redstone could do the same, plus he already has a cast of characters — far more interesting than those who have appeared on "The Apprentice" — in the family vying for his money. Why not make his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews work on similar projects that Trump doles out? Plus, he could put them to work at various Redstone family businesses: CBS, Viacom, video-game publisher Midway Games and movie theater chain National Amusement.
Such a show would be a win-win situation for Redstone. Not only would it provide CBS with some soapy TV to bolster ratings, it would also allow Redstone to prepare an heir to his empire. —Matthew Wurtzel
See story about the Redstone family from The New York Post
See related post about The CW from Dealscape
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