Redstone is also infamous for keeping a revolving door at Viacom, ousting Viacom chief executive Frank Biondi in 1996 and firing Viacom chief executive Tom Freston a decade later.

FORBES: Billionaire Smackdown: Redstone vs. Murdoch

Whether or not the new Viacom will be able to meet Mr Redstone's high expectations will also depend on Mr Freston's ability to turn around Paramount Pictures, which has had few hit movies in recent years compared with other studios.

ECONOMIST: Viacom

Moreover in America and elsewhere most young people are extremely tolerant of sexuality, and indifferent to ethnic origin, says Mr Freston.

ECONOMIST: Viacom