Who will eventually lead Viacom?

Implications: In an article that reads like some daytime soap opera, Sumner Redstone is trying to remove his daughter Shari from the board at the company.  Ms. Redstone has long been considered the heir-apparent at Viacom, and this latest move throws the future leadership of Viacom in to question.

Analysis: Sumner Redstone is known for what some would call rash if not disruptive decision making.  The list of successful media executives Redstone has fired over the years reads like a who's who. 

There have been a number of other decisions that have been called in to question--such as dumping Tom Cruise from the Paramount payroll, and leading the breakup of Viacom in to "new" Viacom and CBS.  That was supposed to unlock value in Viacom, which had the more "new" media assets.  Instead, Viacom has done little since Redstone fired longtime executive Tom Freston, and CBS has demonstrated strong growth since the split under the leadership of Les Moonves. 

Now Redstone is at odds with his daughter Shari, and appears to be negotiating to have her removed from the board.  This isn't the first time a media mogul has had family spats (Rupert Murdoch went through a similar escapade with one of his sons), but Shari Redstone was the clear heir apparent.  Now, who knows will succeed Redstone? 

Redstone is an interesting guy--read his book "A Passion to Win" for more insight in to this complicated and highly competitive man.  This soap opera playing out among the Redstone family is at the least disruptive to this media conglomerate, and thus the need for a quick resolution.