Viacom

Viacom, the love child of media mogul Sumner Redstone, was founded in 1971 and has since become the puppeteer of much of your childhood nostalgia. Known for channels like MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, Viacom was the master of turning quirky cartoon characters and music videos into cultural phenomena. Remember when "Jersey Shore" made bad behavior look so good? Or when "South Park" taught us that no topic is too taboo for a cartoon? Those were the days when Viacom ruled the cable box. Despite its $30 billion valuation, the company has had its share of juicy controversies, from Redstone’s soap opera-worthy family drama to its bruising battles with cable providers over carriage fees. Executives like Bob Bakish have tried to steer this media behemoth through the digital age's turbulent waters, balancing streaming aspirations with traditional TV's slow demise. And let’s not forget the Viacom-CBS merger in 2019, an attempt to consolidate power and, perhaps, reclaim some of the faded glory. In the end, Viacom’s legacy is a colorful tapestry of groundbreaking shows, audacious business moves and a never-ending quest to stay relevant in a media landscape that’s constantly rewriting its own rules.