$85 Million Payment to Ex-Viacom Chief

NEW YORK, October 19: Viacom will shell out $84.8 million to
its former CEO Tom Freston, who was ousted by the company’s executive chairman,
Sumner Redstone, last month.

According to published reports, Freston will receive $58.9
million in severance, $7.4 million in deferred compensation, $5.7 million in a
retirement fund payout and $9.8 million in stock. Freston will also receive a
$1 million salary per year to serve a consultant until 2009.