10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission File Number 001-09553

ViacomCBS Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware			04-2949533
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1515 Broadway	New York,	New York	10036
(Address of principal executive offices)			(Zip Code)

(212) 258-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbols		Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value		VIACA		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value		VIAC		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value		VIACP		The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐    No ☒

Number of shares of common stock outstanding at May 3, 2021:

Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share— 40,707,517

Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share— 605,586,312

VIACOMCBS INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

		Page
	PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements.
	Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the  Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020	3
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) for the  Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020	4
	Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) at  March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the  Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020	6
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) for the  Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020	7
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial  Condition.	29
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	51
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	51
	PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.	52
Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	52
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	52
Item 6.	Exhibits.	53

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	7,412	$	6,499
Costs and expenses:
Operating	4,363		3,956
Selling, general and administrative	1,422		1,298
Depreciation and amortization	99		112
Restructuring and other corporate matters	—		231
Total costs and expenses	5,884		5,597
Operating income	1,528		902
Interest expense	(259)		(241)
Interest income	13		14
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(128)		—
Other items, net	1		(28)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of    investee companies	1,155		647
Provision for income taxes	(226)		(134)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(18)		(9)
Net earnings from continuing operations	911		504
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12		15
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	923		519
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)		(3)
Net earnings attributable to ViacomCBS	$	911	$	516
Amounts attributable to ViacomCBS:
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	899	$	501
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12		15
Net earnings attributable to ViacomCBS	$	911	$	516
Basic net earnings per common share attributable to ViacomCBS:
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	1.44	$	.82
Net earnings from discontinued operations	$	.02	$	.02
Net earnings	$	1.46	$	.84
Diluted net earnings per common share attributable to ViacomCBS:
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	1.42	$	.81
Net earnings from discontinued operations	$	.02	$	.02
Net earnings	$	1.44	$	.84
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	622		614
Diluted	631		616

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-3-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited; in millions)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	$	923	$	519
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustments	(66)		(90)
Net actuarial loss and prior service costs	13		17
Other comprehensive loss from continuing operations, net of tax (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	(53)		(73)
Other comprehensive income (loss) from discontinued operations	2		(14)
Comprehensive income	872		432
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11		—
Comprehensive income attributable to ViacomCBS	$	861	$	432

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-4-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	5,499		$	2,984
Receivables, net		7,310			7,017
Programming and other inventory		1,137			1,757
Prepaid and other current assets		1,027			1,391
Current assets of discontinued operations		514			630
Total current assets		15,487			13,779
Property and equipment, net		1,994			1,994
Programming and other inventory		10,755			10,363
Goodwill		16,591			16,612
Intangible assets, net		2,815			2,826
Operating lease assets		1,527			1,602
Deferred income tax assets, net		981			993
Other assets		3,785			3,657
Assets held for sale		27			28
Assets of discontinued operations		811			809
Total Assets		$	54,773		$	52,663
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	612		$	571
Accrued expenses		1,663			1,714
Participants’ share and royalties payable		2,070			2,005
Accrued programming and production costs		1,392			1,141
Deferred revenues		1,010			978
Debt		19			16
Other current liabilities		1,512			1,391
Current liabilities of discontinued operations		423			480
Total current liabilities		8,701			8,296
Long-term debt		17,768			19,717
Participants’ share and royalties payable		1,351			1,317
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations		2,070			2,098
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		852			778
Operating lease liabilities		1,517			1,583
Program rights obligations		212			243
Other liabilities		2,058			2,158
Liabilities of discontinued operations		212			220
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		189			197
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
ViacomCBS stockholders’ equity:
5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share;     25 shares authorized and 10 shares issued (2021)		—			—
Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 55 shares authorized; 41 (2021) and 52 (2020) shares issued		—			—
Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 5,000 shares authorized; 1,108 (2021) and 1,068 (2020) shares issued		1			1
Additional paid-in capital		32,866			29,785
Treasury stock, at cost; 503 (2021 and 2020) Class B shares		(22,958)			(22,958)
Retained earnings		11,144			10,375
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,882)			(1,832)
Total ViacomCBS stockholders’ equity		19,171			15,371
Noncontrolling interests		672			685
Total Equity		19,843			16,056
Total Liabilities and Equity		$	54,773		$	52,663

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-5-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; in millions)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Operating Activities:
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	$	923	$	519
Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12		15
Net earnings from continuing operations	911		504
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash flow provided      by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	99		112
Deferred tax provision	95		153
Stock-based compensation	52		87
Loss on extinguishment of debt	128		—
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax and distributions	18		9
Change in assets and liabilities	348		(508)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations	1,651		357
Net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities from discontinued operations	72		(1)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	1,723		356
Investing Activities:
Investments	(40)		(46)
Capital expenditures	(62)		(51)
Proceeds from sale of investments	213		146
Other investing activities	(25)		—
Net cash flow provided by investing activities	86		49
Financing Activities:
Repayments of short-term debt borrowings, net	—		(186)
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,117)		—
Dividends paid on common stock	(151)		(152)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	983		—
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,672		—
Purchase of Company common stock	—		(58)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(35)		(50)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	408		5
Other financing activities	(37)		(38)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	723		(479)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(19)		(29)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	2,513		(103)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period (includes $135 (2021) and $202 (2020) of restricted cash)	3,119		834
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period (includes $133 (2021) and $142 (2020) of restricted cash)	$	5,632	$	731

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-6-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited; in millions)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
	Preferred Stock			Class A and B Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Treasury Stock		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total ViacomCBS Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
	(Shares)			(Shares)
December 31, 2020	—	$	—	617	$	1		$	29,785	$	(22,958)		$	10,375		$	(1,832)		$	15,371		$	685	$	16,056
Stock-based compensation activity	—	—		9	—			426		—			—			—			426			—		426
Stock issuances	10	—		20	—			2,655		—			—			—			2,655			—		2,655
Preferred stock dividends	—	—		—	—			—		—			(1)			—			(1)			—		(1)
Common stock dividends	—	—		—	—			—		—			(152)			—			(152)			—		(152)
Noncontrolling interests	—	—		—	—			—		—			11			—			11			(24)		(13)
Net earnings	—	—		—	—			—		—			911			—			911			12		923
Other comprehensive loss	—	—		—	—			—		—			—			(50)			(50)			(1)		(51)
March 31, 2021	10	$	—	646	$	1		$	32,866	$	(22,958)		$	11,144		$	(1,882)		$	19,171		$	672	$	19,843

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
	Class A and B Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Treasury Stock		Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total ViacomCBS Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity
	(Shares)
December 31, 2019	615	$	1		$	29,590	$	(22,908)		$	8,494		$	(1,970)		$	13,207		$	82	$	13,289
Stock-based compensation activity	1	—			43		—			—			—			43			—		43
Class B Common Stock purchased	(1)	—			—		(50)			—			—			(50)			—		(50)
Common stock dividends	—	—			—		—			(150)			—			(150)			—		(150)
Noncontrolling interests	—	—					—			(33)			—			(33)			(10)		(43)
Net earnings	—	—			—		—			516			—			516			3		519
Other comprehensive loss	—	—			—		—			—			(84)			(84)			(3)		(87)
March 31, 2020	615	$	1		$	29,633	$	(22,958)		$	8,827		$	(2,054)		$	13,449		$	72	$	13,521

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

-7-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of Business—ViacomCBS Inc. is comprised of the following segments: TV Entertainment (CBS Television Network; CBS Studios; CBS Media Ventures; streaming services, including Paramount+ and CBSN; CBS Sports Network and CBS Television Stations), Cable Networks (premium and basic cable networks, including Showtime, BET, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and Smithsonian channel; streaming services, including Pluto TV and Showtime Networks’ premium subscription streaming service (“Showtime OTT”); and ViacomCBS Networks International, including Channel 5, Telefe and Network 10) and Filmed Entertainment (Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television Studios and Miramax). References to “ViacomCBS,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to ViacomCBS Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the more detailed financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Discontinued Operations—On November 25, 2020, we entered into an agreement to sell our publishing business, Simon & Schuster, which was previously reported as the Publishing segment, to Penguin Random House LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, for $2.175 billion in cash. As a result, Simon & Schuster has been presented as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented (see Note 2).

Use of Estimates—The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may vary from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Net Earnings per Common Share—Basic net earnings per share (“EPS”) is based upon net earnings available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net earnings available to common stockholders is calculated as net earnings from continuing operations or net earnings, as applicable, adjusted to include preferred stock dividends accumulated during the period. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we accumulated dividends of $1 million on the 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”) that was issued during the first quarter of 2021 (see Note 9).

Weighted average shares for diluted EPS reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or performance stock units (“PSUs”) only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive. Diluted EPS also reflects the effect of the assumed conversion of preferred stock, if dilutive, which includes the issuance of common shares in the weighted average number of shares and excludes the above-

-8-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

mentioned accumulated preferred stock dividend adjustment to net earnings available to common stockholders. Excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, were stock options of 3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and stock options and RSUs of 26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

The table below presents a reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in millions)	2021	2020
Weighted average shares for basic EPS	622	614
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans	8	2
Dilutive effect of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	1	—
Weighted average shares for diluted EPS	631	616

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

On January 1, 2021, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance on the accounting for income taxes that, among other provisions, eliminates certain exceptions to existing guidance related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also requires an entity to reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in its effective income tax rate in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance providing optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The guidance is effective immediately upon issuance and an entity may elect to apply it to contract modifications or hedging relationships entered into on or before December 31, 2022, with a few exceptions for certain hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022. We intend to apply this guidance when modifications of contracts that include LIBOR occur, which is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity

On August 5, 2020, the FASB issued amended guidance to reduce complexity associated with the accounting for convertible instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. Under this guidance, embedded conversion features associated with convertible instruments no longer need to be separated from the host contracts unless they are required to be accounted for as derivatives or have been issued at a substantial premium. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, this guidance removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exceptions. This guidance also amends certain EPS guidance for convertible instruments and expands disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after

-9-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

2) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

During the fourth quarter of 2020, we entered into an agreement to sell our publishing business, Simon & Schuster, for $2.175 billion in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in 2021. Simon & Schuster has been presented as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

The following table sets forth details of net earnings from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, which primarily reflects the results of Simon & Schuster.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	185	$	170
Costs and expenses:
Operating	120		99
Selling, general and administrative	38		43
Depreciation and amortization	—		1
Restructuring charges	—		2
Total costs and expenses (a)	158		145
Operating income	27		25
Other items, net	(2)		(5)
Earnings from discontinued operations	25		20
Income tax provision (b)	(13)		(5)
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	12	$	15

(a) The three months ended March 31, 2020 includes $10 million for the release of indemnification obligations for leases relating to a previously disposed business.

(b) The three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include tax provisions of $7 million and $2 million, respectively, related to previously disposed businesses.

The following table presents the major classes of assets and liabilities of our discontinued operations.

		At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Receivables, net		$	322		$	447
Other current assets		192			183
Goodwill		435			435
Property and equipment, net		42			42
Operating lease assets		191			191
Other assets		143			141
Total Assets		$	1,325		$	1,439
Royalties payable		$	112		$	131
Other current liabilities		311			349
Operating lease liabilities		191			194
Other liabilities		21			26
Total Liabilities		$	635		$	700

-10-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

3) PROGRAMMING AND OTHER INVENTORY

The following table presents our programming and other inventory at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, grouped by type and predominant monetization strategy.

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Film Group Monetization:
Acquired program rights, including prepaid sports rights		$	2,688		$	3,413
Internally-produced television programming:
Released		2,526			2,558
In process and other		1,976			1,682
Individual Monetization:
Acquired libraries		475			483
Film inventory:
Released		417			374
Completed, not yet released		414			543
In process and other		991			816
Internally-produced television programming
Released		1,338			1,206
In process and other		1,033			1,013
Home entertainment		34			32
Total programming and other inventory		11,892			12,120
Less current portion		1,137			1,757
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory		$	10,755		$	10,363

The following table presents amortization of television and film programming and production costs.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Programming costs, acquired programming	$	1,502	$	973
Production costs, internally-produced television and film programming:
Individual monetization	$	760	$	770
Film group monetization	$	650	$	689

4) RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CORPORATE MATTERS

Restructuring Charges

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded restructuring charges of $200 million associated with cost-transformation initiatives in connection with the merger of Viacom Inc. with and into CBS Corporation (the “Merger”) in an effort to reduce redundancies across our businesses. These charges consisted of $174 million of severance costs, including the accelerated vesting of stock-based compensation, and $26 million of exit costs resulting from the termination of contractual obligations.

-11-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

The following table presents a rollforward of our restructuring liability, which is recorded in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The majority of the restructuring liability at March 31, 2021, which primarily relates to severance payments, is expected to be paid by the end of 2021.

	Balance at			2021 Activity					Balance at
	December 31, 2020			Payments			Other		March 31, 2021
TV Entertainment		$	112		$	(13)	$	(2)		$	97
Cable Networks		144			(33)		(2)			109
Filmed Entertainment		30			(5)		(4)			21
Corporate		86			(33)		(2)			51
Total		$	372		$	(84)	$	(10)		$	278

Merger-related Costs and Other Corporate Matters

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, in addition to the above-mentioned restructuring charges, we incurred $31 million of merger-related costs, consisting of transaction-related bonuses and professional fees mainly associated with integration activities.

In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded accelerated depreciation expense of $12 million resulting from the abandonment of technology in connection with synergy plans related to the Merger, which is recorded in “Depreciation and amortization” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

5) RELATED PARTIES

National Amusements, Inc.

National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”) is the controlling stockholder of ViacomCBS. At March 31, 2021, NAI directly or indirectly owned approximately 77.4% of our voting Class A Common Stock and 9.7% of our Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock on a combined basis. NAI is controlled by the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Part B General Trust (the “General Trust”), which owns 80% of the voting interest of NAI and acts by majority vote of seven voting trustees (subject to certain exceptions), including with respect to the NAI shares held by the General Trust. The 80% voting interest of NAI held by the General Trust was previously held by it and another trust; each trust held 40% of the voting interest and shared the same seven voting trustees who were required to cause each of the two trusts to vote the NAI shares in the same manner. Shari E. Redstone, Chairperson, CEO and President of NAI and non-executive Chair of our Board of Directors, is one of the seven voting trustees for the General Trust and is one of two voting trustees who are beneficiaries of the General Trust. No member of our management or other member of our Board of Directors is a trustee of the General Trust.

Other Related Parties

In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in transactions with our equity-method investees, primarily for the licensing of television and film programming. The following tables present the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements related to these transactions.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	65	$	52
Operating expenses	$	4	$	2

-12-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Accounts receivable		$	49		$	69

Through the normal course of business, we are involved in transactions with other related parties that have not been material in any of the periods presented.

6) REVENUES

The table below presents our revenues disaggregated into categories based on the nature of such revenues. Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, and for all comparable prior-year periods, these categories include streaming revenues, which aligns with management’s increased focus on this revenue stream. Streaming revenues are comprised of streaming advertising and streaming subscription revenues. Streaming advertising revenues are earned from advertisements on our pay and free streaming services, including Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and from digital video advertisements on our websites and in our video content on third-party platforms (“other digital video platforms”). Streaming subscription revenues include fees for our pay streaming services, including Paramount+, Showtime OTT, BET+ and Noggin, as well as premium subscriptions to access certain video content on our websites. Accordingly, our advertising and affiliate revenue categories exclude revenues earned by our streaming services and on other digital video platforms.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues by Type:
Advertising (a)	$	2,681	$	2,219
Affiliate (b)	2,075		1,968
Streaming	816		494
Theatrical	1		167
Licensing and other	1,839		1,651
Total Revenues	$	7,412	$	6,499

(a) Excludes streaming advertising revenues.

(b) Excludes streaming subscription revenues.

Receivables

Reserves for accounts receivable reflect our expected credit losses based on historical experience as well as current and expected economic conditions. Our allowance for credit losses was $83 million and $85 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are noncurrent receivables of $1.97 billion and $2.02 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Noncurrent receivables primarily relate to revenues recognized under long-term television licensing arrangements. Television license fee revenues are recognized at the beginning of the license period in which programs are made available to the licensee for exhibition, while the related cash is collected over the term of the license period.

-13-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities are included within “Deferred revenues” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and were $1.17 billion and $1.12 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recognized revenues of $465 million that were included in deferred revenues at December 31, 2020. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized revenues of $276 million that were included in deferred revenues at December 31, 2019.

Unrecognized Revenues Under Contract

At March 31, 2021, unrecognized revenues attributable to unsatisfied performance obligations under our long-term contracts was $6.48 billion, of which $2.91 billion is expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2021, $2.39 billion in 2022, $778 million in 2023, and $399 million thereafter. These amounts only include contracts subject to a guaranteed fixed amount or the guaranteed minimum under variable contracts, primarily consisting of television and film licensing contracts and affiliate agreements that are subject to a fixed or guaranteed minimum fee. Such amounts change on a regular basis as we renew existing agreements or enter into new agreements. Unrecognized revenues under contracts disclosed above do not include (i) contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, mainly consisting of advertising contracts, (ii) contracts for which variable consideration is determined based on the customer’s subsequent sale or usage, mainly consisting of affiliate agreements and (iii) long-term licensing agreements for multiple programs for which variable consideration is determined based on the value of the programs delivered to the customer and our right to invoice corresponds with the value delivered.

Performance Obligations Satisfied in Previous Periods

Under certain licensing arrangements, the amount and timing of our revenue recognition is determined based on our licensees’ subsequent sale to its end customers. As a result, under such arrangements, which primarily include licensing of our content to distributors of transactional video-on-demand and electronic sell-through services, we often satisfy our performance obligation of delivery of our content in advance of revenue recognition. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized revenues of $80 million and $74 million, respectively, in our Filmed Entertainment segment for performance obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in a prior period.

-14-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

7) DEBT

Our debt consists of the following:

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
2.250% Senior Notes due 2022		$	—		$	35
3.375% Senior Notes due 2022		—			415
3.125% Senior Notes due 2022		—			117
2.50% Senior Notes due 2023		—			196
3.25% Senior Notes due 2023		—			141
2.90% Senior Notes due 2023		—			242
4.25% Senior Notes due 2023		—			837
7.875% Debentures due 2023		139			139
7.125% Senior Notes due 2023		35			35
3.875% Senior Notes due 2024		490			490
3.70% Senior Notes due 2024		598			598
3.50% Senior Notes due 2025		597			596
4.75% Senior Notes due 2025		1,240			1,239
4.0% Senior Notes due 2026		791			791
3.45% Senior Notes due 2026		123			123
2.90% Senior Notes due 2027		691			691
3.375% Senior Notes due 2028		495			495
3.70% Senior Notes due 2028		492			492
4.20% Senior Notes due 2029		494			493
7.875% Senior Debentures due 2030		831			831
4.95% Senior Notes due 2031		1,221			1,220
4.20% Senior Notes due 2032		970			969
5.50% Senior Debentures due 2033		427			427
4.85% Senior Debentures due 2034		87			87
6.875% Senior Debentures due 2036		1,069			1,069
6.75% Senior Debentures due 2037		75			75
5.90% Senior Notes due 2040		298			298
4.50% Senior Debentures due 2042		45			45
4.85% Senior Notes due 2042		487			487
4.375% Senior Debentures due 2043		1,117			1,116
4.875% Senior Debentures due 2043		18			18
5.85% Senior Debentures due 2043		1,232			1,232
5.25% Senior Debentures due 2044		345			345
4.90% Senior Notes due 2044		540			540
4.60% Senior Notes due 2045		589			589
4.95% Senior Notes due 2050		943			942
5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057		514			514
6.25% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057		643			643
Other bank borrowings		115			95
Obligations under finance leases		36			26
Total debt (a)		17,787			19,733
Less current portion of long-term debt		19			16
Total long-term debt, net of current portion		$	17,768		$	19,717

(a) At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the senior and junior subordinated debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $481 million and $491 million, respectively, and (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $102 million and $107 million, respectively. The face value of our total debt was $18.37 billion and $20.33 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

-15-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we redeemed senior notes totaling $1.99 billion, prior to maturity, for an aggregate redemption price of $2.11 billion resulting in a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $128 million.

Our 5.875% junior subordinated debentures due February 2057 and 6.25% junior subordinated debentures due February 2057 accrue interest at the stated fixed rates until February 28, 2022 and February 28, 2027, respectively, on which dates the rates will switch to floating rates based on three-month LIBOR plus 3.895% and 3.899%, respectively, reset quarterly. These debentures can be called by us at any time after the expiration of the fixed-rate period.

Commercial Paper

At both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had no outstanding commercial paper borrowings under our commercial paper program.

Credit Facility

At March 31, 2021, we had a $3.50 billion revolving credit facility with a maturity in January 2025 (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes and to support commercial paper borrowings, if any. We may, at our option, also borrow in certain foreign currencies up to specified limits under the Credit Facility. Borrowing rates under the Credit Facility are determined at the time of each borrowing and are generally based on either the prime rate in the U.S. or LIBOR plus a margin based on our senior unsecured debt rating, depending on the type and tenor of the loans entered. The Credit Facility has one principal financial covenant that requires our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio to be less than 4.5x (which we may elect to increase to 5.0x for up to four consecutive quarters following a qualified acquisition) at the end of each quarter. The Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio reflects the ratio of our Consolidated Indebtedness at the end of a quarter, to our Consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the amended credit agreement) for the trailing twelve-month period. We met the covenant as of March 31, 2021.

At March 31, 2021, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and the remaining availability under the Credit Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit, was $3.50 billion.

Other Bank Borrowings

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had bank borrowings under Miramax’s $300 million credit facility, which matures in April 2023, of $115 million and $95 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.50%.

8) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The carrying value of our financial instruments approximates fair value, except for notes and debentures. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying value of our notes and debentures was $17.64 billion and $19.61 billion, respectively, and the fair value, which is determined based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy) was $21.2 billion and $24.5 billion, respectively.

Investments

The fair value of our marketable securities was $20 million at March 31, 2021 which is included within “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

-16-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

The carrying value of our investments without a readily determinable fair value for which we have no significant influence was $65 million at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. These investments are included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

We use derivative financial instruments primarily to modify our exposure to market risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We do not use derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure and therefore we do not hold or enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes. Foreign exchange forward contracts have principally been used to hedge projected cash flows, in currencies such as the British Pound, the Euro, the Canadian Dollar and the Australian Dollar, generally for periods up to 24 months. We designate foreign exchange forward contracts used to hedge committed and forecasted foreign currency transactions as cash flow hedges. Additionally, we enter into non-designated forward contracts to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated cash flows.

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the notional amount of all foreign exchange contracts was $1.48 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively. At March 31, 2021, $948 million related to future production costs and $535 million related to our foreign currency balances and other expected foreign currency cash flows. At December 31, 2020, $740 million related to future production costs and $529 million related to our foreign currency balances and other expected foreign currency cash flows.

Gains recognized on derivative financial instruments were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020		Financial Statement Account
Non-designated foreign exchange contracts	$	1	$	29	Other items, net

The fair value of our derivative instruments was not material to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for any of the periods presented.

Fair Value Measurements

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. These assets and liabilities have been categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by the FASB, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 is based on publicly quoted prices for the asset or liability in active markets. Level 2 is based on inputs that are observable other than quoted market prices in active markets, such as quoted prices for the asset or liability in inactive markets or quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities. Level 3 is based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. We do not have any assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using level 3 inputs.

At March 31, 2021	Level 1		Level 2		Total
Assets:
Marketable securities	$	20	$	—	$	20
Foreign currency hedges	—		15		15
Total Assets	$	20	$	15	$	35
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	413	$	413
Foreign currency hedges	—		25		25
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	438	$	438

-17-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

At December 31, 2020	Level 1		Level 2		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	$	—	$	20	$	20
Total Assets	$	—	$	20	$	20
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	529	$	529
Foreign currency hedges	—		39		39
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	568	$	568

The fair value of foreign currency hedges is determined based on the present value of future cash flows using observable inputs including foreign currency exchange rates. The fair value of deferred compensation liabilities is determined based on the fair value of the investments elected by employees. The fair value of marketable securities at March 31, 2021 was determined based on quoted market prices in active markets.

9) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Offerings

On March 26, 2021, we completed offerings of 20 million shares of our Class B Common Stock at a price to the public of $85 per share and 10 million shares of 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at a price to the public and liquidation preference of $100 per share. The net proceeds from the Class B Common Stock offering and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock offering were approximately $1.67 billion and $983 million, respectively, in each case after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses. We intend to use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including investments in streaming.

Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

Unless earlier converted, each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically and mandatorily convert on the mandatory conversion date, expected to be April 1, 2024, into between 1.0013 and 1.1765 shares of our Class B Common Stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon conversion will be determined based on the average of the volume-weighted average price per share of our Class B Common Stock over the 20 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the 21st scheduled trading day immediately preceding April 1, 2024. Holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Holders”) have the right to convert all or any portion of their shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at any time prior to April 1, 2024 at the minimum conversion rate of 1.0013 shares of our Class B Common Stock. In addition, the conversion rate applicable to such an early conversion may, in certain circumstances, be increased to compensate Holders for certain unpaid accumulated dividends. However, if a fundamental change (as defined in the Certificate of Designations governing the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock) occurs on or prior to April 1, 2024, then Holders will, in certain circumstances, be entitled to convert all or a portion of their shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at an increased conversion rate for a specified period of time and receive an amount to compensate them for unpaid accumulated dividends and any remaining future scheduled dividend payments.

The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is not redeemable. However, at our option, we may purchase or otherwise acquire (including in an exchange transaction) the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock from time to time in the open market, by tender or exchange offer or otherwise, without the consent of, or notice to, Holders. Holders have no voting rights, with certain exceptions.

-18-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Dividends on Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock accumulate from the most recent dividend payment date, or if no dividends have been paid, the original issue date, and will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, or an authorized committee thereof, at an annual rate of 5.75% of the liquidation preference of $100 per share, payable in cash or, subject to certain limitations, by delivery of shares of Class B Common Stock or through any combination of cash and shares of Class B Common Stock, at our election. If declared, dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are payable quarterly commencing on July 1, 2021, and continuing to, and including, April 1, 2024. If we have not declared all or any portion of the accumulated and unpaid dividends by April 1, 2024, the conversion rate will be adjusted so that Holders receive an additional number of shares of our Class B Common Stock, with certain limitations. The dividend payable on the first dividend payment date is expected to be $1.5493 per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and each subsequent quarterly dividend is expected to be $1.4375 per share. We accumulated dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Common Stock Dividends

We declared cash dividends of $.24 per share on our Class A and Class B Common Stock, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, resulting in total dividends of $152 million and $150 million, respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables summarize the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

	Continuing Operations							Discontinued Operations
	Cumulative Translation Adjustments			Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost				Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
At December 31, 2020		$	(303)		$	(1,509)			$	(20)		$	(1,832)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(65)			—				2			(63)
Reclassifications to net earnings		—			13		(b)		—			13
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(65)			13				2			(50)
At March 31, 2021		$	(368)		$	(1,496)			$	(18)		$	(1,882)

	Continuing Operations							Discontinued Operations
	Cumulative Translation Adjustments			Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost				Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
At December 31, 2019		$	(438)		$	(1,507)			$	(25)		$	(1,970)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(87)			—				(14)			(101)
Reclassifications to net earnings		—			17		(b)		—			17
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(87)			17				(14)			(84)
At March 31, 2020		$	(525)		$	(1,490)			$	(39)		$	(2,054)

(a)Reflects cumulative translation adjustments.

(b)Reflects amortization of net actuarial losses (see Note 12). Amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are each net of a tax benefit of $5 million.

-19-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

10) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
RSUs and PSUs	$	49	$	47
Stock options	3		6
Compensation cost included in operating and SG&A expense	52		53
Compensation cost included in restructuring and other corporate matters (a)	—		34
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes	52		87
Related tax benefit	(11)		(15)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit	$	41	$	72

(a) Reflects accelerations as a result of restructuring activities.

Included in net earnings from discontinued operations was stock-based compensation expense of $1 million for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

11) INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes represents federal, state and local, and foreign taxes on earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $226 million, reflecting an effective income tax rate of 19.6%. Included in the provision for income taxes is a discrete tax benefit of $21 million, primarily consisting of tax benefits from the resolution of certain state income tax matters and excess tax benefits from the vesting or exercise of stock-based compensation awards. These items, together with a net tax benefit of $25 million for the tax impact of the loss on extinguishment of debt and gain on marketable securities, impacted the effective income tax rate by 1.9 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $134 million, reflecting an effective income tax rate of 20.7%. Included in the provision for income taxes is a net tax benefit of $54 million for the tax impact of restructuring and other corporate matters, depreciation on abandoned technology, and other discrete tax items, which had a minimal effect on the effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

ViacomCBS and its subsidiaries file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and various state and international jurisdictions. For periods prior to the Merger, Viacom and CBS filed separate tax returns. For CBS, the IRS commenced its examination of the 2017 tax year during the fourth quarter of 2019 and commenced its examination of the 2018 tax year in February 2020. For Viacom, the IRS began its examination of the 2014 and 2015 tax years in April 2017. Various tax years are also currently under examination by state and local and foreign tax authorities. With respect to open tax years in all jurisdictions, we currently believe that it is reasonably possible that the reserve for uncertain tax positions may decrease by approximately $50 million within the next 12 months primarily related to potential resolutions of matters involving multiple tax periods and jurisdictions; however, as it is difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, events could cause our current expectation to change in the future.

-20-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

12) PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The following table presents the components of net periodic cost for our pension and postretirement benefit plans.

	Pension Benefits				Postretirement Benefits
Three Months Ended March 31,	2021		2020		2021		2020
Components of net periodic cost (a):
Service cost	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	1
Interest cost	36		41		2		3
Expected return on plan assets	(47)		(48)		—		—
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) (b)	24		26		(3)		(4)
Net periodic cost	$	13	$	26	$	(1)	$	—

(a) Amounts reflect our domestic plans only.

(b) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings.

The service cost component of net periodic cost is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within operating income and all other components of net periodic cost are presented within “Other items, net.”

13) REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

We are subject to a redeemable put option, payable in a foreign currency, with respect to an international subsidiary. The put option expires in December 2022 and is classified as “Redeemable noncontrolling interest” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The activity reflected within redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Beginning balance	$	197	$	254
Net earnings	2		1
Distributions	(1)		(4)
Translation adjustment	2		(14)
Redemption value adjustment	(11)		33
Ending balance	$	189	$	270

-21-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

14) REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

The following tables set forth our financial information by reportable segment. Our operating segments, which are the same as our reportable segments, have been determined in accordance with our internal management structure, which is organized based upon products and services.

In the first quarter of 2021, we began separately presenting streaming revenues in the categories we use to disaggregate our revenues (see Note 6).

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues:
Advertising	$	1,807	$	1,288
Affiliate	693		623
Streaming	322		204
Licensing and other	689		832
TV Entertainment	3,511		2,947
Advertising	878		945
Affiliate	1,382		1,345
Streaming	494		290
Licensing and other	505		278
Cable Networks	3,259		2,858
Theatrical	1		167
Licensing and other	996		644
Filmed Entertainment	997		811
Corporate/Eliminations	(355)		(117)
Total Revenues	$	7,412	$	6,499

Revenues generated between segments are principally from the licensing of Filmed Entertainment and Cable Networks content to Paramount+ and licensing of Filmed Entertainment and TV Entertainment content to our cable networks. These transactions are recorded at market value as if the sales were to third parties and are eliminated in consolidation. Revenues earned from the licensing of content within segments, including licensing to Paramount+ within the TV Entertainment segment, are eliminated within the segment. Intercompany revenues associated with the licensing of programming to Paramount+ after the initial exhibition on our broadcast or cable networks are recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement and eliminated in consolidation.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Intercompany Revenues:
TV Entertainment	$	72	$	75
Cable Networks	78		16
Filmed Entertainment	205		26
Total Intercompany Revenues	$	355	$	117

-22-

VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

We present operating income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation and costs for restructuring and other corporate matters, each where applicable (“Adjusted OIBDA”), as the primary measure of profit and loss for our operating segments in accordance with FASB guidance for segment reporting since it is the primary method used by our management. Stock-based compensation is excluded from our segment measure of profit and loss because it is set and approved by our Board of Directors in consultation with corporate executive management.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Adjusted OIBDA:
TV Entertainment	$	449	$	573
Cable Networks	1,184		794
Filmed Entertainment	204		27
Corporate/Eliminations	(158)		(96)
Stock-based compensation	(52)		(53)
Depreciation and amortization	(99)		(112)
Restructuring and other corporate matters	—		(231)
Operating income	1,528		902
Interest expense	(259)		(241)
Interest income	13		14
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(128)		—
Other items, net	1		(28)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and     equity in loss of investee companies	1,155		647
Provision for income taxes	(226)		(134)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(18)		(9)
Net earnings from continuing operations	911		504
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12		15
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	923		519
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)		(3)
Net earnings attributable to ViacomCBS	$	911	$	516

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Assets:
TV Entertainment		$	19,014		$	19,443
Cable Networks		23,149			23,139
Filmed Entertainment		6,298			6,440
Corporate/Eliminations		4,987			2,202
Discontinued Operations		1,325			1,439
Total Assets		$	54,773		$	52,663

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VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

15) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Guarantees

Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds

We have indemnification obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety bonds primarily used as security against non-performance in the normal course of business. At March 31, 2021, the outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds approximated $142 million and were not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

CBS Television City

In connection with the sale of the CBS Television City property and sound stage operation (“CBS Television City”) in 2019, we guaranteed a specified level of cash flows to be generated by the business during the first five years following the completion of the sale. Included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021 is a liability of $75 million, reflecting the present value of the estimated amount payable under the guarantee obligation.

Lease Guarantees

We have certain indemnification obligations with respect to leases primarily associated with the previously discontinued operations of Famous Players Inc. These lease commitments were $67 million as of March 31, 2021 and are presented within “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The amount of lease commitments varies over time depending on the expiration or termination of individual underlying leases, or the related indemnification obligation, and foreign exchange rates, among other things. We may also have exposure for certain other expenses related to the leases, such as property taxes and common area maintenance. We believe our accrual is sufficient to meet any future obligations based on our consideration of available financial information, the lessees’ historical performance in meeting their lease obligations and the underlying economic factors impacting the lessees’ business models.

In the course of our business, we both provide and receive indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, we may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not live up to its obligations under an indemnification obligation. We record a liability for our indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable and reasonably estimable.

Legal Matters

General

On an ongoing basis, we vigorously defend ourselves in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and respond to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state, local and international authorities (collectively, “litigation”). Litigation may be brought against us without merit, is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on our understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that the following matters are not likely, in the aggregate, to result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Litigation Relating to the Merger

Beginning on February 20, 2020, three purported CBS stockholders filed separate derivative and/or putative class action lawsuits in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On March 31, 2020, the Court consolidated the

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VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

three lawsuits and appointed Bucks County Employees’ Retirement Fund and International Union of Operating Engineers of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware as co-lead plaintiffs for the consolidated action. On April 14, 2020, the lead plaintiffs filed a Verified Consolidated Class Action and Derivative Complaint (as used in this paragraph, the “Complaint”) against Shari E. Redstone, NAI, Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust, members of the CBS Board of Directors (comprised of Candace K. Beinecke, Barbara M. Byrne, Gary L. Countryman, Brian Goldner, Linda M. Griego, Robert N. Klieger, Martha L. Minow, Susan Schuman, Frederick O. Terrell and Strauss Zelnick), former CBS President and Acting Chief Executive Officer Joseph Ianniello and nominal defendant ViacomCBS Inc. The Complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties to CBS stockholders in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 13, 2019, as amended on October 16, 2019 (the “Merger Agreement”). The Complaint also alleges waste and unjust enrichment in connection with Mr. Ianniello’s compensation. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, costs and expenses, as well as other relief. On June 5, 2020, the defendants filed motions to dismiss. On January 27, 2021, the Court dismissed one disclosure claim, while allowing all other claims against the defendants to proceed. Discovery on the surviving claims is proceeding. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Beginning on November 25, 2019, four purported Viacom stockholders filed separate putative class action lawsuits in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On January 23, 2020, the Court consolidated the four lawsuits. On February 6, 2020, the Court appointed California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) as lead plaintiff for the consolidated action. On February 28, 2020, CalPERS, together with Park Employees’ and Retirement Board Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago and Louis M. Wilen, filed a First Amended Verified Class Action Complaint (as used in this paragraph, the “Complaint”) against NAI, NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC, Shari E. Redstone, the members of the Viacom special transaction committee of the Viacom Board of Directors (comprised of Thomas J. May, Judith A. McHale, Ronald L. Nelson and Nicole Seligman) and our President and Chief Executive Officer and director, Robert M. Bakish. The Complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties to Viacom stockholders in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Merger Agreement. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, costs and expenses, as well as other relief. On May 22, 2020, the defendants filed motions to dismiss. On December 29, 2020, the Court dismissed the claims against Mr. Bakish, while allowing the claims against the remaining defendants to proceed. Discovery on the surviving claims is proceeding. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Investigation-Related Matters

As announced on August 1, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors retained two law firms to conduct a full investigation of the allegations in press reports about CBS’ former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Moonves, CBS News and cultural issues at CBS. On December 17, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors announced the completion of its investigation, certain findings of the investigation and the CBS Board of Directors’ determination, discussed below, with respect to the termination of Mr. Moonves’ employment. We have received subpoenas or requests for information from the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters, including with respect to CBS’ related public disclosures. We may continue to receive additional related regulatory and investigative inquiries from these and other entities in the future. We are cooperating with these inquiries.

On August 27, 2018 and on October 1, 2018, Gene Samit and John Lantz, respectively, filed putative class action lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, individually and on behalf of

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VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

others similarly situated, for claims that are similar to those alleged in the amended complaint described below. On November 6, 2018, the Court entered an order consolidating the two actions. On November 30, 2018, the Court appointed Construction Laborers Pension Trust for Southern California as the lead plaintiff of the consolidated action. On February 11, 2019, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended putative class action complaint against CBS, certain current and former senior executives and members of the CBS Board of Directors. The consolidated action is stated to be on behalf of purchasers of CBS Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock between September 26, 2016 and December 4, 2018. This action seeks to recover damages arising during this time period allegedly caused by the defendants’ purported violations of the federal securities laws, including by allegedly making materially false and misleading statements or failing to disclose material information, and seeks costs and expenses as well as remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On April 12, 2019, the defendants filed motions to dismiss this action, which the Court granted in part and denied in part on January 15, 2020. With the exception of one statement made by Mr. Moonves at an industry event in November 2017, in which he allegedly was acting as the agent of CBS, all claims as to all other allegedly false and misleading statements were dismissed. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Separation Agreement

On September 9, 2018, CBS entered into a separation and settlement agreement and releases (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Moonves, pursuant to which Mr. Moonves resigned as a director and as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS. In October 2018, we contributed $120 million to a grantor trust pursuant to the Separation Agreement. On December 17, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors announced that, following its consideration of the findings of the investigation referred to above, it had determined that there were grounds to terminate Mr. Moonves’ employment for cause under his employment agreement with CBS. Any dispute related to the CBS Board of Directors’ determination is subject to binding arbitration as set forth in the Separation Agreement. On January 16, 2019, Mr. Moonves commenced a binding arbitration proceeding with respect to this matter and the related CBS Board of Directors investigation, which proceeding is ongoing. The assets of the grantor trust will remain in the trust until a final determination in the arbitration. We are currently unable to determine the outcome of the arbitration and the amount, if any, that may be awarded thereunder. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Litigation Related to Television Station Owners

On September 9, 2019, the Company was added as a defendant in a multi-district putative class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The lawsuit was filed by parties that claim to have purchased broadcast television spot advertising beginning on or about January 1, 2014 on television stations owned by one or more of the defendant television station owners and alleges the sharing of allegedly competitively sensitive information among such television stations in alleged violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The action, which names the Company among fourteen total defendants, seeks monetary damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and interest as well as injunctions against the allegedly unlawful conduct. On October 8, 2019, the Company and other defendants filed a motion to dismiss the matter, which was denied by the court on November 6, 2020. We believe that the claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

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VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos

We are a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. We are typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of our products is the basis of a claim. Claims against us in which a product has been identified most commonly relate to allegations of exposure to asbestos-containing insulating material used in conjunction with turbines and electrical equipment.

Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. We do not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets that some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of March 31, 2021, we had pending approximately 30,480 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 30,710 as of December 31, 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, we received approximately 780 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 1,010 claims. We report claims as closed when we become aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when we have reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claims, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. Our total costs for the years 2020 and 2019 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax were approximately $35 million and $58 million, respectively. Our costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year and insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.

Filings include claims for individuals suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer, the risk of which is allegedly increased by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer, a cancer which may be caused by various factors, one of which is alleged to be asbestos exposure; other cancers, and conditions that are substantially less serious, including claims brought on behalf of individuals who are asymptomatic as to an allegedly asbestos-related disease. The predominant number of pending claims against us are non-cancer claims. It is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may impact the estimate of our asbestos liabilities, including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims. We record an accrual for a loss contingency when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We believe that our accrual and insurance are sufficient to cover our asbestos liabilities. Our liability estimate is based upon many factors, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims, as well as consultation with a third party firm on trends that may impact our future asbestos liability.

Other 

From time to time we receive claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that we are or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to our historical and predecessor operations. In addition, from time to time we receive personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from our historical operations and predecessors.

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VIACOMCBS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

16) SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Cash paid for interest	$	316	$	322
Cash paid (received) for income taxes:
Continuing operations	$	(23)	$	54
Discontinued operations	$	—	$	1
Noncash additions to operating lease assets	$	5	$	55

Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, we enter into joint ventures or make investments with business partners that support our underlying business strategy and provide us the ability to enter new markets to expand the reach of our brands, develop new programming and/or distribute our existing content. In certain instances, an entity in which we make an investment may qualify as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we assess whether we have the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The following tables present the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements related to our consolidated VIEs.

		At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Total assets		$	1,435		$	1,385
Total liabilities		$	233		$	197

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	71	$	18
Operating income (loss)	$	5	$	(2)

Lease Income

We enter into operating leases for the use of our owned production facilities and office buildings. Lease payments received under these agreements consist of fixed payments for the rental of space and certain building operating costs, as well as variable payments based on usage of production facilities and services, and escalating costs of building operations. We recorded total lease income, including both fixed and variable amounts, of $36 million and $34 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
	(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Management’s discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of ViacomCBS Inc. should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in ViacomCBS Inc.’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. References in this document to “ViacomCBS,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to ViacomCBS Inc.

Significant components of management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition include:

•Overview—Summary of ViacomCBS and our business and operational highlights.

•Consolidated Results of Operations—Analysis of our results on a consolidated basis for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2020.

•Segment Results of Operations—Analysis of our results on a reportable segment basis for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2020.

•Liquidity and Capital Resources—Discussion of our sources and uses of cash; cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020; and of our outstanding debt, commitments and contingencies as of March 31, 2021.

•Legal Matters—Discussion of legal matters in which we are involved.

Overview

ViacomCBS is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates content and experiences for audiences worldwide.

Stock Offerings

On March 26, 2021, we completed offerings of 20 million shares of our Class B Common Stock at a price to the public of $85 per share and 10 million shares of 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”) at a price to the public and liquidation preference of $100 per share. The net proceeds from the Class B Common Stock offering and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock offering were approximately $1.67 billion and $983 million, respectively, in each case after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses. We intend to use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including investments in streaming.

Streaming Revenues

Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, we changed the categories we use to disaggregate revenues to include streaming revenues, in order to align with management’s increased focus on this revenue stream. Streaming revenues are comprised of streaming advertising and streaming subscription revenues. Streaming advertising revenues are earned from advertisements on our pay and free streaming services, including Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and from digital video advertisements on our websites and in our video content on third party platforms (“other digital video platforms”). Streaming subscription revenues include fees for our pay streaming services, including Paramount+, Showtime Networks’ premium subscription streaming service (“Showtime OTT”), BET+ and Noggin, as well as premium subscriptions to access certain video content on our websites. Accordingly, our advertising and affiliate revenue categories exclude revenues earned by our streaming services and on other digital video platforms. The prior year has been reclassified to conform to this presentation.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Operational Highlights - Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 versus Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

Consolidated results of operations					Increase/(Decrease)
Three Months Ended March 31,	2021		2020		$		%
GAAP:
Revenues	$	7,412	$	6,499	$	913	14	%
Operating income	$	1,528	$	902	$	626	69	%
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS	$	899	$	501	$	398	79	%
Diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS	$	1.42	$	.81	$	.61	75	%
Net cash flow provided by operating activities    from continuing operations	$	1,651	$	357	$	1,294	362	%
Non-GAAP: (a)
Adjusted OIBDA	$	1,627	$	1,245	$	382	31	%
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS	$	961	$	690	$	271	39	%
Adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS	$	1.52	$	1.12	$	.40	36	%
Free cash flow	$	1,589	$	306	$	1,283	419	%

(a) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” and “Free Cash Flow” for reconciliations of non-GAAP results to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, revenues increased 14% to $7.41 billion, driven by CBS’ broadcasts of Super Bowl LV and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship (the “NCAA Tournament”) games. There were no comparable broadcasts on CBS in the first quarter of 2020 as we have the rights to broadcast the Super Bowl on a rotational basis with other networks, and the 2020 NCAA Tournament was cancelled as a result of the coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) pandemic. Taken together, these sporting events contributed 11 percentage points of the revenue increase. The revenue comparison also benefited from 65% growth in streaming revenues, reflecting growth across our streaming services, and higher licensing revenues primarily from the licensing of film content. These increases were partially offset by the continued impact on theatrical revenues from the closure or reduced capacity of movie theaters in response to COVID-19.

Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased 69% from the same prior-year period. This comparison was impacted by costs for restructuring and other corporate matters, which were items identified as affecting comparability in the first quarter of 2020. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.” Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted OIBDA”) increased 31%, primarily driven by the revenue growth, partially offset by higher sports programming costs associated with the above-mentioned sporting events and increased investment in our streaming services.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, net earnings from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS and diluted EPS from continuing operations increased 79% and 75%, respectively, from the same prior-year period. These comparisons were impacted by items identified as affecting comparability, including the aforementioned items impacting operating income, and for the 2021 period, a loss on extinguishment of debt and a gain on marketable securities. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS and adjusted diluted EPS increased 39% and 36%, respectively, reflecting the higher Adjusted OIBDA. Adjusted OIBDA, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations are non-GAAP financial measures. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” for

-30-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

details of the items excluded from financial results, and reconciliations of adjusted results to the most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

We generated operating cash flow from continuing operations of $1.65 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with $357 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1.59 billion compared with $306 million for the same prior-year period. These increases primarily reflect the benefit from the broadcast of Super Bowl LV on the CBS Television Network, higher collections, and lower spending, including the benefit from cost savings, lower income tax payments and lower payments for restructuring, merger-related costs and costs to achieve synergies. Operating cash flow from continuing operations and free cash flow included payments for restructuring, merger-related costs and costs to achieve synergies of $104 million and $172 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Also included in free cash flow for 2021 are capital expenditures of $13 million associated with costs to achieve synergies. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Free Cash Flow” for a reconciliation of net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to free cash flow.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the macroeconomic environment in the United States and globally, as well as certain parts of our business. Movie theaters have remained closed or have been operating at reduced capacity and as a result, we rescheduled the theatrical release of certain films, and licensed others to our owned or third-party streaming services. We are not able to predict when or whether movie theaters will reopen at scale, the level at which consumers will return, and when or whether revenues from theatrical releases will be comparable to historical levels. Additionally, while production of our television and film content has resumed, the delays caused by COVID-19 continue to impact the level of content available for airing on our broadcast and cable networks, streaming services, and for our licensing customers. Because of the uncertain nature of the pandemic, including its impact on the current and future global macroeconomic environment, we are unable to predict the magnitude of the future effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

Results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 included certain items identified as affecting comparability. Adjusted OIBDA, adjusted earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, adjusted provision for income taxes, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS, and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations (together, the “adjusted measures”) exclude the impact of these items and are measures of performance not calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use these measures to, among other things, evaluate our operating performance. These measures are among the primary measures used by management for planning and forecasting of future periods, and they are important indicators of our operational strength and business performance. In addition, we use Adjusted OIBDA to, among other things, value prospective acquisitions. We believe these measures are relevant and useful for investors because they allow investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by our management; provide a clearer perspective on our underlying performance; and make it easier for investors, analysts and peers to compare our operating performance to other companies in our industry and to compare our year-over-year results.

Because the adjusted measures are measures of performance not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, operating income, earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, provision for income taxes, net earnings from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS or diluted EPS from continuing operations, as applicable, as indicators of operating performance.

-31-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

These measures, as we calculate them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

The following tables reconcile the adjusted measures to their most directly comparable financial measures in accordance with GAAP.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Operating income (GAAP)	$	1,528	$	902
Depreciation and amortization (a)	99		112
Restructuring and other corporate matters (b)	—		231
Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)	$	1,627	$	1,245

(a) The three months ended March 31, 2020 includes accelerated depreciation of $12 million for technology that was abandoned in connection with synergy plans related to the merger of Viacom Inc. with and into CBS Corporation (the “Merger”).

(b) See notes on the following tables for additional information on items affecting comparability.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
	Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes			Provision for Income Taxes			Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Attributable to ViacomCBS			Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations
Reported (GAAP)		$	1,155		$	(226)		$	899		$	1.42
Items affecting comparability:
Loss on extinguishment of debt		128			(30)			98			.16
Gain on marketable securities		(20)			5			(15)			(.03)
Discrete tax items (a)		—			(21)			(21)			(.03)
Adjusted (Non-GAAP)		$	1,263		$	(272)		$	961		$	1.52

(a) Primarily reflects tax benefits from the resolution of certain state income tax matters and excess tax benefits from the vesting or exercise of stock-based compensation awards.

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
	Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes			Provision for Income Taxes			Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Attributable to ViacomCBS			Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations
Reported (GAAP)		$	647		$	(134)		$	501		$	.81
Items affecting comparability:
Restructuring and other corporate matters (a)		231			(47)			184			.30
Depreciation of abandoned technology (b)		12			(3)			9			.02
Discrete tax items		—			(4)			(4)			(.01)
Adjusted (Non-GAAP)		$	890		$	(188)		$	690		$	1.12

(a) Primarily reflects severance and exit costs as well as other costs related to the Merger.

(b) Reflects accelerated depreciation for technology that was abandoned in connection with synergy plans related to the Merger.

-32-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Consolidated Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 versus Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

Revenues

	Three Months Ended March 31,
			% of Total Revenues				% of Total Revenues		Increase/(Decrease)
Revenues by Type	2021				2020				$		%
Advertising (a)	$	2,681	36	%	$	2,219	34	%	$	462	21	%
Affiliate (b)	2,075		28		1,968		30		107		5
Streaming	816		11		494		8		322		65
Theatrical	1		—		167		3		(166)		(99)
Licensing and other	1,839		25		1,651		25		188		11
Total Revenues	$	7,412	100	%	$	6,499	100	%	$	913	14	%

(a) Excludes streaming advertising revenues.

(b) Excludes streaming subscription revenues.

Advertising

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the increase in advertising revenues of 21% was driven by CBS’ broadcasts of Super Bowl LV and NCAA Tournament games. There were no comparable broadcasts on CBS in the first quarter of 2020 as we have the rights to broadcast the Super Bowl on a rotational basis with other networks, and the 2020 NCAA Tournament was cancelled as a result of COVID-19. This increase was partially offset by lower linear impressions for our cable and broadcast networks, and lower political advertising, reflecting the benefit to 2020 from the U.S. Presidential election.

Advertising revenues for the second quarter of 2021 will benefit from CBS’ broadcast of the semi-finals and finals of the NCAA Tournament. Under agreements with the NCAA and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (“Turner”), CBS has the rights to broadcast these games every other year through 2032, and in each year the games in the preceding rounds of the tournament are shared between CBS and Turner. We also expect to see a continued negative impact from lower political advertising during the remainder of 2021, particularly in the second half of the year.

In March 2021, we reached an agreement with the National Football League (“NFL”) to extend our rights to broadcast American Football Conference (AFC) regular season and post-season games, which include wildcard, divisional playoff and championship games, on the CBS Television Network and to stream these games live on Paramount+. The contract begins with the 2023 season and extends through the 2033 season, and includes the rights to the Super Bowl in 2024, 2028 and 2032, as well as certain expanded rights across ViacomCBS networks and platforms. The NFL has a one-time right to terminate the agreement after the 2029 season.

Affiliate

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, affiliate revenues increased 5%, reflecting higher fees received from television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network (“reverse compensation”) and retransmission fee revenues, and the launch of our basic cable networks on a virtual multichannel video programming distributor (“vMVPD”) in mid-2020, partially offset by lower affiliate fees for our cable networks from MVPDs. The increase in reverse compensation and retransmission fee revenues was driven by annual contractual increases and contract renewals with television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network, MVPDs and vMVPDs. The decline in cable affiliate fees from MVPDs reflects subscriber declines, partially offset by rate increases.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Streaming

	Three Months Ended March 31,
					Increase/(Decrease)
Streaming Revenues by Type	2021		2020		$		%
Advertising	$	428	$	265	$	163	62	%
Subscription	388		229		159		69
Total Streaming Revenues	$	816	$	494	$	322	65	%

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the 62% growth in streaming advertising revenues was driven by higher advertising on our streaming services, Pluto TV and Paramount+, and growth on other digital video platforms, including the benefit from advertising during the Super Bowl LV live stream. Global monthly active users (MAUs) for Pluto TV were 49.5 million at March 31, 2021, an increase of 90% from 26.0 million at March 31, 2020. The 69% growth in streaming subscription revenues reflects a 63% increase in global streaming subscribers to 35.9 million at March 31, 2021 from 22.0 million at March 31, 2020. Global streaming subscribers include customers who access our domestic or international streaming services, either directly through our owned and operated apps and websites, or through third-party distributors.

Theatrical

The decline in theatrical revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 reflects the impact from the closure or reduction in capacity of movie theaters in response to COVID-19 throughout the first quarter of 2021.

Licensing and Other

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, licensing and other revenues increased 11%, primarily reflecting growth from domestic licensing arrangements, including for the films Coming 2 America and Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, and for library programming. The increase was partially offset by a lower volume of licensing of current series internationally as a result of production delays, which were principally caused by COVID-19.

Operating Expenses

	Three Months Ended March 31,
			% of Operating Expenses				% of Operating Expenses		Increase/(Decrease)
Operating Expenses by Type	2021				2020				$		%
Production and programming	$	3,136	72	%	$	2,627	66	%	$	509	19	%
Participations and residuals	588		13		474		12		114		24
Distribution and other	639		15		855		22		(216)		(25)
Total Operating Expenses	$	4,363	100	%	$	3,956	100	%	$	407	10	%

Production and Programming

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the increase in production and programming expenses of 19% primarily reflects costs associated with CBS’ broadcasts of the above-mentioned noncomparable sporting events, as well as increased investment in programming for our streaming services. These increases were partially offset by lower costs for network and cable series as a result of fewer hours of original programming because of the above-mentioned production delays.

-34-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Participations and Residuals

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, participation and residual costs increased 24%, primarily driven by participations relating to the higher licensing revenues.

Distribution and Other

Distribution and other operating expenses primarily include costs relating to the distribution of our content, including print and advertising for theatrical releases and costs paid to third-party distributors; compensation; revenue-sharing costs; and other ancillary and overhead costs associated with our operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, distribution and other expenses decreased 25%, primarily reflecting costs in the first quarter of 2020 to support theatrical releases, including Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as other anticipated releases. Distribution costs in the 2021 period were lower as a result of the closure or reduced capacity of movie theaters due to COVID-19.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020		Increase/(Decrease)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	1,422	$	1,298		10	%

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include expenses incurred for selling and marketing costs, occupancy, professional service fees and back office support, including employee compensation. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, SG&A expenses increased 10% driven by advertising and marketing costs to support the growth and expansion of our streaming services, including the launch of Paramount+.

Depreciation and Amortization

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020		Increase/(Decrease)
Depreciation and amortization	$	99	$	112		(12)	%

Depreciation expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included accelerated depreciation of $12 million resulting from the abandonment of technology in connection with synergy plans related to the Merger.

Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded restructuring charges of $200 million associated with cost-transformation initiatives in connection with the Merger in an effort to reduce redundancies across our businesses. These charges consisted of $174 million of severance costs, including the accelerated vesting of stock-based compensation, and $26 million of exit costs resulting from the termination of contractual obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we also incurred $31 million of merger-related costs, consisting of transaction-related bonuses and professional fees mainly associated with integration activities.

-35-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Interest Expense/Income

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020		Increase/(Decrease)
Interest expense	$	(259)	$	(241)		7	%
Interest income	$	13	$	14		(7)	%

The following table presents our outstanding debt balances, excluding finance leases, and the weighted average interest rate as of March 31, 2021 and 2020.

	At March 31,
			Weighted Average					Weighted Average
	2021		Interest Rate			2020		Interest Rate
Total long-term debt	$	17,636		4.93	%	$	17,982		4.70	%
Other bank borrowings	$	115		3.50	%	$	—		n/a
Commercial paper	$	—		n/a		$	312		2.18	%
Short-term bank borrowings	$	—		n/a		$	200		2.45	%

n/a - not applicable

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the loss on extinguishment of debt of $128 million reflects pre-tax losses associated with the early redemption of $1.99 billion of our long-term debt.

Other Items, Net

The following table presents the components of Other items, net.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Pension and postretirement benefit costs	$	(12)	$	(17)
Foreign exchange loss	(8)		(12)
Gain on marketable securities	20		—
Other	1		1
Other items, net	$	1	$	(28)

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes represents federal, state and local, and foreign taxes on earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $226 million, reflecting an effective income tax rate of 19.6%. Included in the provision for income taxes is a discrete tax benefit of $21 million, primarily consisting of tax benefits from the resolution of certain state income tax matters and excess tax benefits from the vesting or exercise of stock-based compensation awards. These items, together with a net tax benefit of $25 million for the tax impact of the loss on extinguishment of debt and gain on marketable securities, impacted the effective income tax rate by 1.9 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $134 million, reflecting an effective income tax rate of 20.7%. Included in the provision for income taxes is a net tax benefit of $54 million

-36-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

for the tax impact of restructuring and other corporate matters, depreciation on abandoned technology, and other discrete tax items, which had a minimal effect on the effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Equity in Loss of Investee Companies, Net of Tax

The following table presents equity in loss of investee companies for our equity-method investments.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020		Increase/(Decrease)
Equity in loss of investee companies	$	(32)	$	(16)		(100)	%
Tax benefit	14		7			100
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	$	(18)	$	(9)		(100)	%

Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations

During the fourth quarter of 2020, we entered into an agreement to sell our publishing business, Simon & Schuster, to Penguin Random House LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. Simon & Schuster has been presented as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

The following table sets forth details of net earnings from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, which primarily reflects the results of Simon & Schuster.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	185	$	170
Costs and expenses:
Operating	120		99
Selling, general and administrative	38		43
Depreciation and amortization	—		1
Restructuring charges	—		2
Total costs and expenses (a)	158		145
Operating income	27		25
Other items, net	(2)		(5)
Earnings from discontinued operations	25		20
Income tax provision (b)	(13)		(5)
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	12	$	15

(a) The three months ended March 31, 2020 includes $10 million for the release of indemnification obligations for leases relating to a previously disposed business.

(b) The three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include tax provisions of $7 million and $2 million, respectively, related to previously disposed businesses.

-37-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Net Earnings from Continuing Operations Attributable to ViacomCBS and Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations Attributable to ViacomCBS

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020		Increase/(Decrease)
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable    to ViacomCBS	$	899	$	501		79	%
Diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable    to ViacomCBS	$	1.42	$	.81		75	%

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, net earnings from continuing operations attributable to ViacomCBS and diluted EPS from continuing operations increased 79% and 75%, respectively, primarily driven by the increase in operating income.

Segment Results of Operations

We present operating income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation and costs for restructuring and other corporate matters, each where applicable (“Adjusted OIBDA”), as the primary measure of profit and loss for our operating segments in accordance with FASB guidance for segment reporting. We believe the presentation of Adjusted OIBDA is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view segment performance in a manner similar to the primary method used by our management and enhances their ability to understand our operating performance. Stock-based compensation is excluded from our segment measure of profit and loss because it is set and approved by our Board of Directors in consultation with corporate executive management. Stock-based compensation is included as a component of our consolidated Adjusted OIBDA. The reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to our consolidated net earnings is presented in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, we entered into an agreement to sell Simon & Schuster, which was previously reported as the Publishing segment. Simon & Schuster has been presented as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
			% of Total Revenues					% of Total Revenues			Increase/(Decrease)
	2021					2020					$		%
Revenues:
TV Entertainment	$	3,511		47	%	$	2,947		45	%	$	564	19	%
Cable Networks	3,259			44		2,858			44		401		14
Filmed Entertainment	997			14		811			13		186		23
Corporate/Eliminations	(355)			(5)		(117)			(2)		(238)		(203)
Total Revenues	$	7,412		100	%	$	6,499		100	%	$	913	14	%

-38-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
					Increase/(Decrease)
	2021		2020		$		%
Adjusted OIBDA:
TV Entertainment	$	449	$	573	$	(124)	(22)	%
Cable Networks	1,184		794		390		49
Filmed Entertainment	204		27		177		656
Corporate/Eliminations	(158)		(96)		(62)		(65)
Stock-based compensation	(52)		(53)		1		2
Total Adjusted OIBDA	1,627		1,245		382		31
Depreciation and amortization	(99)		(112)		13		12
Restructuring and other corporate matters	—		(231)		231		n/m
Total Operating Income	$	1,528	$	902	$	626	69	%

n/m - not meaningful

TV Entertainment (CBS Television Network; CBS Studios; CBS Media Ventures; streaming services, including Paramount+ and CBSN; CBS Sports Network and CBS Television Stations)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
					Increase/(Decrease)
TV Entertainment	2021		2020		$		%
Advertising (a)	$	1,807	$	1,288	$	519	40	%
Affiliate (b)	693		623		70		11
Streaming	322		204		118		58
Licensing and other	689		832		(143)		(17)
Revenues	$	3,511	$	2,947	$	564	19	%
Adjusted OIBDA	$	449	$	573	$	(124)	(22)	%

(a) Excludes streaming advertising revenues.

(b) Excludes streaming subscription revenues.

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the 19% increase in revenues primarily reflects growth in advertising, driven by CBS’ broadcasts of tentpole sporting events, and subscriber growth at Paramount+, partially offset by the timing of licensing.

Advertising

The 40% increase in advertising revenues was driven by CBS’ broadcasts of Super Bowl LV and NCAA Tournament games in the first quarter of 2021 with no comparable broadcasts on CBS in the first quarter of 2020. The Super Bowl is broadcast on the CBS Television Network on a rotational basis with other networks and the 2020 NCAA Tournament was cancelled as a result of COVID-19. This increase was partially offset by lower linear impressions on the CBS Television Network, and lower political advertising, reflecting the benefit to 2020 from the U.S. Presidential election.

Affiliate

Affiliate revenues grew 11%, reflecting growth in reverse compensation and retransmission fee revenues.

-39-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Streaming

Streaming revenues increased 58%, primarily reflecting subscriber growth at Paramount+, and revenues from advertising during the Super Bowl LV live stream and associated coverage on CBS Sports’ digital properties.

Licensing and Other

Licensing and other revenues decreased 17%, mainly due to a lower volume of licensing of current series internationally and programming produced for third-parties as a result of production delays, which were principally caused by COVID-19.

Adjusted OIBDA

Adjusted OIBDA decreased 22%, reflecting our increased investment in Paramount+, including higher content and marketing costs.

Cable Networks (Premium and basic cable networks, including Showtime, BET, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and Smithsonian Channel, among others; streaming services including Pluto TV, Showtime OTT, Noggin and BET+; ViacomCBS Networks International, including Channel 5, Telefe and Network 10)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
					Increase/(Decrease)
Cable Networks	2021		2020		$		%
Advertising (a)	$	878	$	945	$	(67)	(7)	%
Affiliate (b)	1,382		1,345		37		3
Streaming	494		290		204		70
Licensing and other	505		278		227		82
Revenues	$	3,259	$	2,858	$	401	14	%
Adjusted OIBDA	$	1,184	$	794	$	390	49	%

(a) Excludes streaming advertising revenues.

(b) Excludes streaming subscription revenues.

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the 14% increase in revenues was primarily driven by higher licensing to streaming services, including Paramount+, and growth in streaming advertising and streaming subscription revenues.

Advertising

The 7% decrease in advertising revenues was primarily driven by a decline in domestic advertising partially offset by higher international advertising, including a 2 percentage point favorable impact of foreign exchange rate changes on total advertising revenues. The decrease in domestic advertising revenues was driven by lower linear impressions, partially offset by higher pricing.

Affiliate

The 3% growth in affiliate revenues was primarily driven by the launch of our basic cable networks on a vMVPD in mid-2020 and contractual rate increases. These increases were partially offset by declines in traditional MVPD subscribers.

-40-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Streaming

The 70% increase in streaming revenues was driven by advertising revenue growth from our free streaming service, Pluto TV, and other digital video platforms, as well as growth in subscribers for our subscription streaming services, including Showtime OTT, BET+ and Noggin.

Licensing and Other

The 82% increase in licensing and other revenues was primarily driven by higher revenues from the licensing to streaming services, including our subscription streaming service, Paramount+.

Adjusted OIBDA

Adjusted OIBDA increased 49%, primarily driven by the revenue growth. Cable Networks expenses increased 1% reflecting higher participations associated with the growth in licensing revenues, which were substantially offset by lower advertising expenses because of the broadcast of fewer original programs, and savings from restructuring activities.

Filmed Entertainment (Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television Studios, and Miramax)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
					Increase/(Decrease)
Filmed Entertainment	2021		2020		$		%
Theatrical	$	1	$	167	$	(166)	(99)	%
Licensing and other	996		644		352		55
Revenues	$	997	$	811	$	186	23	%
Adjusted OIBDA	$	204	$	27	$	177	656	%

Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the 23% increase in revenues reflects growth in licensing revenues partially offset by the impact from the closure or reduction in capacity of movie theaters in response to COVID-19.

Theatrical

The decline in theatrical revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 reflects the impact from the closure or reduction in capacity of movie theaters in the first quarter of 2021, while the prior-year quarter benefited from the theatrical release of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Licensing and Other

The 55% increase in licensing and other revenues was primarily driven by the licensing of Coming 2 America and Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse to third parties, the licensing of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run to Paramount+, as well as higher revenues from the licensing of television programming and Miramax titles.

-41-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Adjusted OIBDA

Adjusted OIBDA increased $177 million primarily reflecting higher profits associated with the licensing of films, compared to the prior-year period, which included higher distribution costs associated with theatrical releases during the first quarter of 2020, as well as other anticipated releases. Fluctuations in results for the Filmed Entertainment segment may occur as a result of the timing of the recognition of distribution costs, including print and advertising, which are generally incurred before and throughout the theatrical release of a film, while the revenues for the respective film are recognized as earned through the film’s theatrical exhibition and subsequent distribution windows.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Cash

We project anticipated cash requirements for our operating, investing and financing needs as well as cash flows generated from operating activities available to meet these needs. Our operating needs include, among other items, commitments for sports programming rights, television and film programming, talent contracts, leases, interest payments, income tax payments and pension funding obligations. Our investing and financing spending includes capital expenditures, investments and acquisitions, share repurchases, dividends and principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness. We believe that our operating cash flows, cash and cash equivalents, borrowing capacity under our $3.50 billion Credit Facility described below, as well as access to capital markets are sufficient to fund our operating, investing and financing requirements for the next twelve months.

Our funding for short-term and long-term obligations will come primarily from cash flows from operating activities. Any additional cash funding requirements are financed with short-term borrowings, including commercial paper, and long-term debt. To the extent that commercial paper is not available to us, the Credit Facility provides sufficient capacity to satisfy short-term borrowing needs. We routinely assess our capital structure and opportunistically enter into transactions to lower our interest expense, which could result in a charge from the early extinguishment of debt.

Funding for our long-term debt obligations due over the next five years of $4.03 billion as of March 31, 2021 is expected to come from our ability to refinance our debt, cash generated from operating activities, and proceeds from non-core asset sales.

During 2020, we entered into an agreement to sell Simon & Schuster for $2.175 billion in cash, and expect to use proceeds from the sale to invest in our strategic growth priorities, including in streaming, as well as to fund dividends and pay down debt. The sale is expected to close in 2021, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

On March 26, 2021, we completed offerings of 20 million shares of our Class B Common Stock at a price to the public of $85 per share and 10 million shares of 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at a price to the public and liquidation preference of $100 per share. The net proceeds from the Class B Common Stock offering and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock offering were approximately $1.67 billion and $983 million, respectively, in each case after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses. We intend to use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including investments in streaming.

-42-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Dividends on Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock accumulate from the most recent dividend payment date, or if no dividends have been paid, the original issue date, and will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, or an authorized committee thereof, at an annual rate of 5.75% of the liquidation preference of $100 per share, payable in cash or, subject to certain limitations, by delivery of shares of Class B Common Stock or through any combination of cash and shares of Class B Common Stock, at our election. If declared, dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are payable quarterly commencing on July 1, 2021, and continuing to, and including, April 1, 2024. The dividend payable on the first dividend payment date is expected to be $1.5493 per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and each subsequent quarterly dividend is expected to be $1.4375 per share.

Cash Flows

The changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020		Increase/(Decrease)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities from:
Continuing operations	$	1,651	$	357		$	1,294
Discontinued operations	72		(1)			73
Cash flow provided by operating activities	1,723		356			1,367
Cash flow provided by investing activities	86		49			37
Cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	723		(479)			1,202
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(19)		(29)			10
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	2,513	$	(103)		$	2,616

Operating Activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the increase in cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations was mainly driven by the benefit from the broadcast of Super Bowl LV on the CBS Television Network, higher collections, and lower spending, including the benefit from cost savings, lower income tax payments and lower payments for restructuring, merger-related costs and costs to achieve synergies. Cash taxes from continuing operations was a net receipt of $23 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to a net payment of $54 million in the first quarter of 2020. The net cash received in 2021 was the result of film tax credit receipts in excess of tax payments.

Cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations reflects the operating activities of Simon & Schuster.

Investing Activities

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Investments (a)		$	(40)		$	(46)
Capital expenditures		(62)			(51)
Proceeds from sale of investments (b)		213			146
Other investing activities		(25)			—
Cash flow provided by investing activities		$	86		$	49

(a) Primarily includes our investment in The CW.

(b) 2021 reflects proceeds received from the sale of our investment in fuboTV, Inc. during the fourth quarter of 2020. 2020 reflects the sale of marketable securities.

-43-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Financing Activities

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021			2020
Repayments of short-term debt borrowings, net		$	—		$	(186)
Repayment of long-term debt		(2,117)			—
Dividends paid on common stock		(151)			(152)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock		983			—
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		1,672			—
Purchase of Company common stock		—			(58)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation		(35)			(50)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		408			5
Other financing activities		(37)			(38)
Cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities		$	723		$	(479)

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. Free cash flow reflects our net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations less capital expenditures. Our calculation of free cash flow includes capital expenditures because investment in capital expenditures is a use of cash that is directly related to our operations. Our net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to us to service debt, make strategic acquisitions and investments, maintain our capital assets, satisfy our tax obligations, and fund ongoing operations and working capital needs. As a result, free cash flow is a significant measure of our ability to generate long-term value. It is useful for investors to know whether this ability is being enhanced or degraded as a result of our operating performance. We believe the presentation of free cash flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to evaluate the cash generated from our underlying operations in a manner similar to the method used by management. Free cash flow is among several components of incentive compensation targets for certain management personnel. In addition, free cash flow is a primary measure used externally by our investors, analysts and industry peers for purposes of valuation and comparison of our operating performance to other companies in our industry.

As free cash flow is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, free cash flow should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, either net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations as a measure of liquidity or net earnings as a measure of operating performance. Free cash flow, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, free cash flow as a measure of liquidity has certain limitations, does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs.

-44-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

The following table presents a reconciliation of our net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations to free cash flow.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations (GAAP)	$	1,651	$	357
Capital expenditures	(62)		(51)
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)	$	1,589	$	306

Common Stock Dividends

We declared cash dividends of $.24 per share on our Class A and Class B Common Stock, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, resulting in total dividends of $152 million and $150 million, respectively.

Capital Structure

The following table sets forth our debt.

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Senior debt (2.250%-7.875% due 2022-2050)		$	16,479		$	18,455
Junior debt (5.875%-6.25% due 2057)		1,157			1,157
Other bank borrowings		115			95
Obligations under finance leases		36			26
Total debt (a)		17,787			19,733
Less current portion of long-term debt		19			16
Total long-term debt, net of current portion		$	17,768		$	19,717

(a) At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the senior and junior subordinated debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $481 million and $491 million, respectively, and (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $102 million and $107 million, respectively. The face value of our total debt was $18.37 billion and $20.33 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we redeemed senior notes totaling $1.99 billion, prior to maturity, for an aggregate redemption price of $2.11 billion resulting in a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $128 million.

Our 5.875% junior subordinated debentures due February 2057 and 6.25% junior subordinated debentures due February 2057 accrue interest at the stated fixed rates until February 28, 2022 and February 28, 2027, respectively, on which dates the rates will switch to floating rates based on three-month LIBOR plus 3.895% and 3.899%, respectively, reset quarterly. These debentures can be called by us at any time after the expiration of the fixed-rate period.

Commercial Paper

At both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had no outstanding commercial paper borrowings under our commercial paper program.

-45-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Credit Facility

At March 31, 2021, we had a $3.50 billion revolving credit facility with a maturity in January 2025 (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes and to support commercial paper borrowings, if any. We may, at our option, also borrow in certain foreign currencies up to specified limits under the Credit Facility. Borrowing rates under the Credit Facility are determined at the time of each borrowing and are generally based on either the prime rate in the U.S. or LIBOR plus a margin based on our senior unsecured debt rating, depending on the type and tenor of the loans entered. The Credit Facility has one principal financial covenant that requires our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio to be less than 4.5x (which we may elect to increase to 5.0x for up to four consecutive quarters following a qualified acquisition) at the end of each quarter. The Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio reflects the ratio of our Consolidated Indebtedness at the end of a quarter, to our Consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the amended credit agreement) for the trailing twelve-month period. We met the covenant as of March 31, 2021.

At March 31, 2021, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and the remaining availability under the Credit Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit, was $3.50 billion.

Other Bank Borrowings

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had bank borrowings under Miramax’s $300 million credit facility, which matures in April 2023, of $115 million and $95 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.50%.

Guarantees

Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds

We have indemnification obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety bonds primarily used as security against non-performance in the normal course of business. At March 31, 2021, the outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds approximated $142 million and were not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

CBS Television City

In connection with the sale of the CBS Television City property and sound stage operation (“CBS Television City”) in 2019, we guaranteed a specified level of cash flows to be generated by the business during the first five years following the completion of the sale. Included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021 is a liability of $75 million, reflecting the present value of the estimated amount payable under the guarantee obligation.

Lease Guarantees

We have certain indemnification obligations with respect to leases primarily associated with the previously discontinued operations of Famous Players Inc. These lease commitments were $67 million as of March 31, 2021 and are presented within “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The amount of lease commitments varies over time depending on the expiration or termination of individual underlying leases, or the related indemnification obligation, and foreign exchange rates, among other things. We may also have exposure for certain other expenses related to the leases, such as property taxes and common area maintenance. We believe our accrual is sufficient to meet any future obligations based on our consideration of available financial information, the lessees’ historical performance in meeting their lease obligations and the underlying economic factors impacting the lessees’ business models.

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

In the course of our business, we both provide and receive indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, we may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not live up to its obligations under an indemnification obligation. We record a liability for our indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable and reasonably estimable.

Legal Matters

General

On an ongoing basis, we vigorously defend ourselves in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and respond to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state, local and international authorities (collectively, “litigation”). Litigation may be brought against us without merit, is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on our understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that the following matters are not likely, in the aggregate, to result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Litigation Relating to the Merger

Beginning on February 20, 2020, three purported CBS stockholders filed separate derivative and/or putative class action lawsuits in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On March 31, 2020, the Court consolidated the three lawsuits and appointed Bucks County Employees’ Retirement Fund and International Union of Operating Engineers of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware as co-lead plaintiffs for the consolidated action. On April 14, 2020, the lead plaintiffs filed a Verified Consolidated Class Action and Derivative Complaint (as used in this paragraph, the “Complaint”) against Shari E. Redstone, NAI, Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust, members of the CBS Board of Directors (comprised of Candace K. Beinecke, Barbara M. Byrne, Gary L. Countryman, Brian Goldner, Linda M. Griego, Robert N. Klieger, Martha L. Minow, Susan Schuman, Frederick O. Terrell and Strauss Zelnick), former CBS President and Acting Chief Executive Officer Joseph Ianniello and nominal defendant ViacomCBS Inc. The Complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties to CBS stockholders in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 13, 2019, as amended on October 16, 2019 (the “Merger Agreement”). The Complaint also alleges waste and unjust enrichment in connection with Mr. Ianniello’s compensation. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, costs and expenses, as well as other relief. On June 5, 2020, the defendants filed motions to dismiss. On January 27, 2021, the Court dismissed one disclosure claim, while allowing all other claims against the defendants to proceed. Discovery on the surviving claims is proceeding. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Beginning on November 25, 2019, four purported Viacom stockholders filed separate putative class action lawsuits in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On January 23, 2020, the Court consolidated the four lawsuits. On February 6, 2020, the Court appointed California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) as lead plaintiff for the consolidated action. On February 28, 2020, CalPERS, together with Park Employees’ and Retirement Board Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago and Louis M. Wilen, filed a First Amended Verified Class Action Complaint (as used in this paragraph, the “Complaint”) against NAI, NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC, Shari E. Redstone, the members of the Viacom special transaction committee of the Viacom Board of Directors (comprised of Thomas J. May, Judith A. McHale, Ronald L. Nelson and Nicole Seligman) and our President and Chief Executive Officer and director, Robert M. Bakish. The Complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties to Viacom stockholders in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Merger Agreement. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, costs and expenses, as well as other relief. On May 22, 2020, the defendants filed motions to dismiss. On December 29, 2020, the Court dismissed the claims against Mr. Bakish, while

-47-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

allowing the claims against the remaining defendants to proceed. Discovery on the surviving claims proceeding. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Investigation-Related Matters

As announced on August 1, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors retained two law firms to conduct a full investigation of the allegations in press reports about CBS’ former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Moonves, CBS News and cultural issues at CBS. On December 17, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors announced the completion of its investigation, certain findings of the investigation and the CBS Board of Directors’ determination, discussed below, with respect to the termination of Mr. Moonves’ employment. We have received subpoenas or requests for information from the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters, including with respect to CBS’ related public disclosures. We may continue to receive additional related regulatory and investigative inquiries from these and other entities in the future. We are cooperating with these inquiries.

On August 27, 2018 and on October 1, 2018, Gene Samit and John Lantz, respectively, filed putative class action lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, for claims that are similar to those alleged in the amended complaint described below. On November 6, 2018, the Court entered an order consolidating the two actions. On November 30, 2018, the Court appointed Construction Laborers Pension Trust for Southern California as the lead plaintiff of the consolidated action. On February 11, 2019, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended putative class action complaint against CBS, certain current and former senior executives and members of the CBS Board of Directors. The consolidated action is stated to be on behalf of purchasers of CBS Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock between September 26, 2016 and December 4, 2018. This action seeks to recover damages arising during this time period allegedly caused by the defendants’ purported violations of the federal securities laws, including by allegedly making materially false and misleading statements or failing to disclose material information, and seeks costs and expenses as well as remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On April 12, 2019, the defendants filed motions to dismiss this action, which the Court granted in part and denied in part on January 15, 2020. With the exception of one statement made by Mr. Moonves at an industry event in November 2017, in which he allegedly was acting as the agent of CBS, all claims as to all other allegedly false and misleading statements were dismissed. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Separation Agreement

On September 9, 2018, CBS entered into a separation and settlement agreement and releases (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Moonves, pursuant to which Mr. Moonves resigned as a director and as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS. In October 2018, we contributed $120 million to a grantor trust pursuant to the Separation Agreement. On December 17, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors announced that, following its consideration of the findings of the investigation referred to above, it had determined that there were grounds to terminate Mr. Moonves’ employment for cause under his employment agreement with CBS. Any dispute related to the CBS Board of Directors’ determination is subject to binding arbitration as set forth in the Separation Agreement. On January 16, 2019, Mr. Moonves commenced a binding arbitration proceeding with respect to this matter and the related CBS Board of Directors investigation, which proceeding is ongoing. The

-48-

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

assets of the grantor trust will remain in the trust until a final determination in the arbitration. We are currently unable to determine the outcome of the arbitration and the amount, if any, that may be awarded thereunder. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Litigation Related to Television Station Owners

On September 9, 2019, the Company was added as a defendant in a multi-district putative class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The lawsuit was filed by parties that claim to have purchased broadcast television spot advertising beginning on or about January 1, 2014 on television stations owned by one or more of the defendant television station owners and alleges the sharing of allegedly competitively sensitive information among such television stations in alleged violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The action, which names the Company among fourteen total defendants, seeks monetary damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and interest as well as injunctions against the allegedly unlawful conduct. On October 8, 2019, the Company and other defendants filed a motion to dismiss the matter, which was denied by the court on November 6, 2020. We believe that the claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos

We are a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. We are typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of our products is the basis of a claim. Claims against us in which a product has been identified most commonly relate to allegations of exposure to asbestos-containing insulating material used in conjunction with turbines and electrical equipment.

Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. We do not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets that some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of March 31, 2021, we had pending approximately 30,480 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 30,710 as of December 31, 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, we received approximately 780 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 1,010 claims. We report claims as closed when we become aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when we have reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claims, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. Our total costs for the years 2020 and 2019 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax were approximately $35 million and $58 million, respectively. Our costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year and insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.

Filings include claims for individuals suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer, the risk of which is allegedly increased by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer, a cancer which may be caused by various factors, one of which is alleged to be asbestos exposure; other cancers, and conditions that are substantially less serious, including claims brought on behalf of individuals who are asymptomatic as to an allegedly asbestos-related disease. The predominant number of pending claims against us are non-cancer claims. It is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may impact the estimate of our asbestos liabilities, including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims. We record an accrual for a loss

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

contingency when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We believe that our accrual and insurance are sufficient to cover our asbestos liabilities. Our liability estimate is based upon many factors, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims, as well as consultation with a third party firm on trends that may impact our future asbestos liability.

Other

From time to time we receive claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that we are or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to our historical and predecessor operations. In addition, from time to time we receive personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from our historical operations and predecessors.

Related Parties

See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

See Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, for a discussion of our critical accounting policies.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains both historical and forward‑looking statements, including statements related to our future results and performance. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events; generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “estimate” or other similar words or phrases; and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: changes in consumer behavior, as well as evolving technologies, distribution platforms and packaging; the impact on our advertising revenues of changes in consumers’ content viewership, deficiencies in audience measurement and advertising market conditions; our ability to maintain attractive brands and our reputation, and to offer popular programming and other content; increased costs for programming, films and other rights; competition for content, audiences, advertising and distribution; the potential for loss of carriage or other reduction in or the impact of negotiations for the distribution of our content; losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets, FCC licenses and programming; the risks and costs associated with the integration of the CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. businesses and investments in new businesses, products, services and technologies, including our streaming initiatives; evolving business continuity, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection and similar risks; content infringement; the impact of COVID-19 (and other widespread health emergencies or pandemics) and

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

measures taken in response thereto; domestic and global political, economic and/or regulatory factors affecting our businesses generally; liabilities related to discontinued operations and former businesses; the loss of key talent and strikes and other union activity; potential conflicts of interest arising from our ownership structure with a controlling stockholder; and other factors described in our news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that we do not currently view as material or that are not necessarily known. The forward‑looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this report, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward‑looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

There have been no significant changes to market risk since reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) were effective, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The information set forth in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the caption “Legal Matters” is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Company Purchases of Equity Securities

In November 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase $1.5 billion of our common stock in open market purchases or other types of transactions (including accelerated stock repurchases or privately negotiated transactions). Since then, various increases totaling $16.4 billion have been approved and announced, including most recently, an increase to the share repurchase program to a total availability of $6.0 billion on July 28, 2016. During the first quarter of 2021, we did not purchase any shares under our publicly announced share repurchase program, which had remaining authorization of $2.36 billion at March 31, 2021.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit No.		Description of Document
(3)		Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
	(a)	Certificate of Designations of the 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 25, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of ViacomCBS Inc. filed on March 26, 2021) (File No. 001-09553).
(4)		Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
	(a)	Specimen Certificate of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (included in Exhibit 3(a) above) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of ViacomCBS Inc. filed on March 26, 2021) (File No. 001-09553).
(31)		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
	(a)	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of ViacomCBS Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), or 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
	(b)	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of ViacomCBS Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), or 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
(32)		Section 1350 Certifications
	(a)	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of ViacomCBS Inc. furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
	(b)	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of ViacomCBS Inc. furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
(101)		Interactive Data File
		101. INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
		101. SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
		101. CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
		101. DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
		101. LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
		101. PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
(104)		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

-53-

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	VIACOMCBS INC. (Registrant)
Date: May 6, 2021	/s/ Naveen Chopra
	Naveen Chopra Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Date: May 6, 2021	/s/ Katherine Gill-Charest
	Katherine Gill-Charest Executive Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

-54-

EX-31.A

Exhibit 31(a)

CERTIFICATION

I, Robert M. Bakish, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ViacomCBS Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 6, 2021

/s/ Robert M. Bakish

Robert M. Bakish

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.B

Exhibit 31(b)

CERTIFICATION

I, Naveen Chopra, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ViacomCBS Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 6, 2021

/s/ Naveen Chopra

Naveen Chopra

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.A

Exhibit 32(a)

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350,

as adopted pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of ViacomCBS Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Robert M. Bakish, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify that to my knowledge:

1.    the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.    the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Robert M. Bakish

Robert M. Bakish

May 6, 2021

EX-32.B

Exhibit 32(b)

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350,

as adopted pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of ViacomCBS Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ”Report”), I, Naveen Chopra, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify that to my knowledge:

1.    the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.    the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Naveen Chopra

Naveen Chopra

May 6, 2021

XML

COVER PAGE - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	May 03, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
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Entity File Number	001-09553
Entity Registrant Name	ViacomCBS Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	04-2949533
Entity Address, Address Line One	1515 Broadway
Entity Address, City or Town	New York,
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10036
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	258-6000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
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Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value
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Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
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Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	VIAC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
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Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
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XML

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 7,412	$ 6,499
Costs and expenses:
Operating	4,363	3,956
Selling, general and administrative	1,422	1,298
Depreciation and amortization	99	112
Restructuring and other corporate matters	0	231
Total costs and expenses	5,884	5,597
Operating income	1,528	902
Interest expense	(259)	(241)
Interest income	13	14
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(128)	0
Other items, net	1	(28)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies	1,155	647
Provision for income taxes	(226)	(134)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(18)	(9)
Net earnings from continuing operations	911	504
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12	15
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	923	519
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)	(3)
Net earnings attributable to ViacomCBS	911	516
Net earnings from continuing operations	$ 899	$ 501
Basic net earnings per common share attributable to ViacomCBS:
Net earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.44	$ 0.82
Net earnings from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.02	0.02
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	1.46	0.84
Diluted net earnings per common share attributable to ViacomCBS:
Net earnings from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	1.42	0.81
Net earnings from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.02	0.02
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ 1.44	$ 0.84
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	622	614
Diluted (in shares)	631	616

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	$ 923	$ 519
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustments	(66)	(90)
Net actuarial loss and prior service costs	13	17
Other comprehensive loss from continuing operations, net of tax (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	(53)	(73)
Other comprehensive income (loss) from discontinued operations	2	(14)
Comprehensive income	872	432
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11	0
Comprehensive income attributable to ViacomCBS	$ 861	$ 432

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,499	$ 2,984
Receivables, net	7,310	7,017
Programming and other inventory	1,137	1,757
Prepaid and other current assets	1,027	1,391
Current assets of discontinued operations	514	630
Total current assets	15,487	13,779
Property and equipment, net	1,994	1,994
Programming and other inventory	10,755	10,363
Goodwill	16,591	16,612
Intangible assets, net	2,815	2,826
Operating lease assets	1,527	1,602
Deferred income tax assets, net	981	993
Other assets	3,785	3,657
Assets held for sale	27	28
Assets of discontinued operations	811	809
Total Assets	54,773	52,663
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	612	571
Accrued expenses	1,663	1,714
Participants’ share and royalties payable	2,070	2,005
Accrued programming and production costs	1,392	1,141
Deferred revenues	1,010	978
Debt	19	16
Other current liabilities	1,512	1,391
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	423	480
Total current liabilities	8,701	8,296
Long-term debt	17,768	19,717
Participants’ share and royalties payable	1,351	1,317
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	2,070	2,098
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	852	778
Operating lease liabilities	1,517	1,583
Program rights obligations	212	243
Other liabilities	2,058	2,158
Liabilities of discontinued operations	212	220
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	189	197
Commitments and contingencies
ViacomCBS stockholders’ equity:
5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share; 25 shares authorized and 10 shares issued (2021)	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	32,866	29,785
Treasury stock, at cost; 503 (2021 and 2020) Class B shares	(22,958)	(22,958)
Retained earnings	11,144	10,375
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,882)	(1,832)
Total ViacomCBS stockholders’ equity	19,171	15,371
Noncontrolling interests	672	685
Total Equity	19,843	16,056
Total Liabilities and Equity	54,773	52,663
Common Class A [Member]
ViacomCBS stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Common Class B [Member]
ViacomCBS stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	$ 1	$ 1

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, percentage	5.75%
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	25,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	10,000,000
Common Class A [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	55,000,000	55,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	41,000,000	52,000,000
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000,000	5,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,108,000,000	1,068,000,000
Treasury stock, at cost, Class B shares (in shares)	503,000,000	503,000,000

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Operating Activities:
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	$ 923	$ 519
Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12	15
Net earnings from continuing operations	911	504
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to net cash flow provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	99	112
Deferred tax provision	95	153
Stock-based compensation	52	87
Loss on extinguishment of debt	128	0
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax and distributions	18	9
Change in assets and liabilities	348	(508)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations	1,651	357
Net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities from discontinued operations	72	(1)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	1,723	356
Investing Activities:
Investments	(40)	(46)
Capital expenditures	(62)	(51)
Proceeds from sale of investments	213	146
Other investing activities	(25)	0
Net cash flow provided by investing activities	86	49
Financing Activities:
Repayments of short-term debt borrowings, net	0	(186)
Repayment of long-term debt	(2,117)	0
Dividends paid on common stock	(151)	(152)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	983	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,672	0
Purchase of Company common stock	0	(58)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation	(35)	(50)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	408	5
Other financing activities	(37)	(38)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) financing activities	723	(479)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(19)	(29)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	2,513	(103)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period (includes $135 (2021) and $202 (2020) of restricted cash)	3,119	834
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period (includes $133 (2021) and $142 (2020) of restricted cash)	$ 5,632	$ 731

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 133	$ 135	$ 142	$ 202

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Total ViacomCBS Stockholders’ Equity [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance, beginning of year (shares) at Dec. 31, 2019				615
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 13,289	$ 13,207		$ 1	$ 29,590	$ (22,908)	$ 8,494	$ (1,970)	$ 82
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation activity (shares)				1
Stock-based compensation activity	43	43			43
Common stock dividends	(150)	(150)					(150)
Class B Common Stock purchased (shares)				(1)
Class B Common Stock purchased	(50)	(50)				(50)
Noncontrolling interests	(43)	(33)					(33)		(10)
Net earnings	519	516					516		3
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(87)	(84)						(84)	(3)
Balance, end of year (shares) at Mar. 31, 2020				615
Balance, end of year at Mar. 31, 2020	13,521	13,449		$ 1	29,633	(22,958)	8,827	(2,054)	72
Balance, beginning of year (shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			0	617
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2020	16,056	15,371	$ 0	$ 1	29,785	(22,958)	10,375	(1,832)	685
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation activity (shares)				9
Stock-based compensation activity	426	426			426
Stock issuance (shares)			10	20
Stock issuances	2,655	2,655			2,655
Preferred stock dividends	(1)	(1)					(1)
Common stock dividends	(152)	(152)					(152)
Noncontrolling interests	(13)	11					11		(24)
Net earnings	923	911					911		12
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(51)	(50)						(50)	(1)
Balance, end of year (shares) at Mar. 31, 2021			10	646
Balance, end of year at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 19,843	$ 19,171	$ 0	$ 1	$ 32,866	$ (22,958)	$ 11,144	$ (1,882)	$ 672

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Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of Business—ViacomCBS Inc. is comprised of the following segments: TV Entertainment (CBS Television Network; CBS Studios; CBS Media Ventures; streaming services, including Paramount+ and CBSN; CBS Sports Network and CBS Television Stations), Cable Networks (premium and basic cable networks, including Showtime, BET, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and Smithsonian channel; streaming services, including Pluto TV and Showtime Networks’ premium subscription streaming service (“Showtime OTT”); and ViacomCBS Networks International, including Channel 5, Telefe and Network 10) and Filmed Entertainment (Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television Studios and Miramax). References to “ViacomCBS,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to ViacomCBS Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Basis of Presentation—The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the more detailed financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Discontinued Operations—On November 25, 2020, we entered into an agreement to sell our publishing business, Simon & Schuster, which was previously reported as the Publishing segment, to Penguin Random House LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, for $2.175 billion in cash. As a result, Simon & Schuster has been presented as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented (see Note 2).

Use of Estimates—The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may vary from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Net Earnings per Common Share—Basic net earnings per share (“EPS”) is based upon net earnings available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net earnings available to common stockholders is calculated as net earnings from continuing operations or net earnings, as applicable, adjusted to include preferred stock dividends accumulated during the period. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we accumulated dividends of $1 million on the 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”) that was issued during the first quarter of 2021 (see Note 9).

Weighted average shares for diluted EPS reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or performance stock units (“PSUs”) only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive. Diluted EPS also reflects the effect of the assumed conversion of preferred stock, if dilutive, which includes the issuance of common shares in the weighted average number of shares and excludes the above-

mentioned accumulated preferred stock dividend adjustment to net earnings available to common stockholders. Excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, were stock options of 3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and stock options and RSUs of 26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

The table below presents a reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in millions)	2021	2020
Weighted average shares for basic EPS	622	614
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans	8	2
Dilutive effect of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	1	—
Weighted average shares for diluted EPS	631	616

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

On January 1, 2021, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance on the accounting for income taxes that, among other provisions, eliminates certain exceptions to existing guidance related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also requires an entity to reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in its effective income tax rate in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance providing optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The guidance is effective immediately upon issuance and an entity may elect to apply it to contract modifications or hedging relationships entered into on or before December 31, 2022, with a few exceptions for certain hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022. We intend to apply this guidance when modifications of contracts that include LIBOR occur, which is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity

On August 5, 2020, the FASB issued amended guidance to reduce complexity associated with the accounting for convertible instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. Under this guidance, embedded conversion features associated with convertible instruments no longer need to be separated from the host contracts unless they are required to be accounted for as derivatives or have been issued at a substantial premium. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, this guidance removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exceptions. This guidance also amends certain EPS guidance for convertible instruments and expands disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Discontinued Operations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

2) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

During the fourth quarter of 2020, we entered into an agreement to sell our publishing business, Simon & Schuster, for $2.175 billion in cash. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in 2021. Simon & Schuster has been presented as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

The following table sets forth details of net earnings from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, which primarily reflects the results of Simon & Schuster.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	185	$	170
Costs and expenses:
Operating	120		99
Selling, general and administrative	38		43
Depreciation and amortization	—		1
Restructuring charges	—		2
Total costs and expenses (a)	158		145
Operating income	27		25
Other items, net	(2)		(5)
Earnings from discontinued operations	25		20
Income tax provision (b)	(13)		(5)
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	12	$	15

(a) The three months ended March 31, 2020 includes $10 million for the release of indemnification obligations for leases relating to a previously disposed business.

(b) The three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include tax provisions of $7 million and $2 million, respectively, related to previously disposed businesses.

The following table presents the major classes of assets and liabilities of our discontinued operations.

		At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Receivables, net		$	322		$	447
Other current assets		192			183
Goodwill		435			435
Property and equipment, net		42			42
Operating lease assets		191			191
Other assets		143			141
Total Assets		$	1,325		$	1,439
Royalties payable		$	112		$	131
Other current liabilities		311			349
Operating lease liabilities		191			194
Other liabilities		21			26
Total Liabilities		$	635		$	700

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Programming and Other Inventory

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Programming and Other Inventory

3) PROGRAMMING AND OTHER INVENTORY

The following table presents our programming and other inventory at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, grouped by type and predominant monetization strategy.

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Film Group Monetization:
Acquired program rights, including prepaid sports rights		$	2,688		$	3,413
Internally-produced television programming:
Released		2,526			2,558
In process and other		1,976			1,682
Individual Monetization:
Acquired libraries		475			483
Film inventory:
Released		417			374
Completed, not yet released		414			543
In process and other		991			816
Internally-produced television programming
Released		1,338			1,206
In process and other		1,033			1,013
Home entertainment		34			32
Total programming and other inventory		11,892			12,120
Less current portion		1,137			1,757
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory		$	10,755		$	10,363

The following table presents amortization of television and film programming and production costs.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Programming costs, acquired programming	$	1,502	$	973
Production costs, internally-produced television and film programming:
Individual monetization	$	760	$	770
Film group monetization	$	650	$	689

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Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Restructuring Charges [Abstract]

Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters

4) RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CORPORATE MATTERS

Restructuring Charges

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded restructuring charges of $200 million associated with cost-transformation initiatives in connection with the merger of Viacom Inc. with and into CBS Corporation (the “Merger”) in an effort to reduce redundancies across our businesses. These charges consisted of $174 million of severance costs, including the accelerated vesting of stock-based compensation, and $26 million of exit costs resulting from the termination of contractual obligations.

The following table presents a rollforward of our restructuring liability, which is recorded in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The majority of the restructuring liability at March 31, 2021, which primarily relates to severance payments, is expected to be paid by the end of 2021.

	Balance at			2021 Activity					Balance at
	December 31, 2020			Payments			Other		March 31, 2021
TV Entertainment		$	112		$	(13)	$	(2)		$	97
Cable Networks		144			(33)		(2)			109
Filmed Entertainment		30			(5)		(4)			21
Corporate		86			(33)		(2)			51
Total		$	372		$	(84)	$	(10)		$	278

Merger-related Costs and Other Corporate Matters

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, in addition to the above-mentioned restructuring charges, we incurred $31 million of merger-related costs, consisting of transaction-related bonuses and professional fees mainly associated with integration activities.

In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded accelerated depreciation expense of $12 million resulting from the abandonment of technology in connection with synergy plans related to the Merger, which is recorded in “Depreciation and amortization” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters

4) RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CORPORATE MATTERS

Restructuring Charges

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded restructuring charges of $200 million associated with cost-transformation initiatives in connection with the merger of Viacom Inc. with and into CBS Corporation (the “Merger”) in an effort to reduce redundancies across our businesses. These charges consisted of $174 million of severance costs, including the accelerated vesting of stock-based compensation, and $26 million of exit costs resulting from the termination of contractual obligations.

The following table presents a rollforward of our restructuring liability, which is recorded in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The majority of the restructuring liability at March 31, 2021, which primarily relates to severance payments, is expected to be paid by the end of 2021.

	Balance at			2021 Activity					Balance at
	December 31, 2020			Payments			Other		March 31, 2021
TV Entertainment		$	112		$	(13)	$	(2)		$	97
Cable Networks		144			(33)		(2)			109
Filmed Entertainment		30			(5)		(4)			21
Corporate		86			(33)		(2)			51
Total		$	372		$	(84)	$	(10)		$	278

Merger-related Costs and Other Corporate Matters

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, in addition to the above-mentioned restructuring charges, we incurred $31 million of merger-related costs, consisting of transaction-related bonuses and professional fees mainly associated with integration activities.

In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded accelerated depreciation expense of $12 million resulting from the abandonment of technology in connection with synergy plans related to the Merger, which is recorded in “Depreciation and amortization” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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Related Parties

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Parties

5) RELATED PARTIES

National Amusements, Inc.

National Amusements, Inc. (“NAI”) is the controlling stockholder of ViacomCBS. At March 31, 2021, NAI directly or indirectly owned approximately 77.4% of our voting Class A Common Stock and 9.7% of our Class A Common Stock and non-voting Class B Common Stock on a combined basis. NAI is controlled by the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Part B General Trust (the “General Trust”), which owns 80% of the voting interest of NAI and acts by majority vote of seven voting trustees (subject to certain exceptions), including with respect to the NAI shares held by the General Trust. The 80% voting interest of NAI held by the General Trust was previously held by it and another trust; each trust held 40% of the voting interest and shared the same seven voting trustees who were required to cause each of the two trusts to vote the NAI shares in the same manner. Shari E. Redstone, Chairperson, CEO and President of NAI and non-executive Chair of our Board of Directors, is one of the seven voting trustees for the General Trust and is one of two voting trustees who are beneficiaries of the General Trust. No member of our management or other member of our Board of Directors is a trustee of the General Trust.

Other Related Parties

In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in transactions with our equity-method investees, primarily for the licensing of television and film programming. The following tables present the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements related to these transactions.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	65	$	52
Operating expenses	$	4	$	2

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Accounts receivable		$	49		$	69

Through the normal course of business, we are involved in transactions with other related parties that have not been material in any of the periods presented.

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Revenues

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenues

6) REVENUES

The table below presents our revenues disaggregated into categories based on the nature of such revenues. Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, and for all comparable prior-year periods, these categories include streaming revenues, which aligns with management’s increased focus on this revenue stream. Streaming revenues are comprised of streaming advertising and streaming subscription revenues. Streaming advertising revenues are earned from advertisements on our pay and free streaming services, including Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and from digital video advertisements on our websites and in our video content on third-party platforms (“other digital video platforms”). Streaming subscription revenues include fees for our pay streaming services, including Paramount+, Showtime OTT, BET+ and Noggin, as well as premium subscriptions to access certain video content on our websites. Accordingly, our advertising and affiliate revenue categories exclude revenues earned by our streaming services and on other digital video platforms.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues by Type:
Advertising (a)	$	2,681	$	2,219
Affiliate (b)	2,075		1,968
Streaming	816		494
Theatrical	1		167
Licensing and other	1,839		1,651
Total Revenues	$	7,412	$	6,499

(a) Excludes streaming advertising revenues.

(b) Excludes streaming subscription revenues.

Receivables

Reserves for accounts receivable reflect our expected credit losses based on historical experience as well as current and expected economic conditions. Our allowance for credit losses was $83 million and $85 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are noncurrent receivables of $1.97 billion and $2.02 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Noncurrent receivables primarily relate to revenues recognized under long-term television licensing arrangements. Television license fee revenues are recognized at the beginning of the license period in which programs are made available to the licensee for exhibition, while the related cash is collected over the term of the license period.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities are included within “Deferred revenues” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and were $1.17 billion and $1.12 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recognized revenues of $465 million that were included in deferred revenues at December 31, 2020. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized revenues of $276 million that were included in deferred revenues at December 31, 2019.

Unrecognized Revenues Under Contract

At March 31, 2021, unrecognized revenues attributable to unsatisfied performance obligations under our long-term contracts was $6.48 billion, of which $2.91 billion is expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2021, $2.39 billion in 2022, $778 million in 2023, and $399 million thereafter. These amounts only include contracts subject to a guaranteed fixed amount or the guaranteed minimum under variable contracts, primarily consisting of television and film licensing contracts and affiliate agreements that are subject to a fixed or guaranteed minimum fee. Such amounts change on a regular basis as we renew existing agreements or enter into new agreements. Unrecognized revenues under contracts disclosed above do not include (i) contracts with an original expected term of one year or less, mainly consisting of advertising contracts, (ii) contracts for which variable consideration is determined based on the customer’s subsequent sale or usage, mainly consisting of affiliate agreements and (iii) long-term licensing agreements for multiple programs for which variable consideration is determined based on the value of the programs delivered to the customer and our right to invoice corresponds with the value delivered.

Performance Obligations Satisfied in Previous Periods

Under certain licensing arrangements, the amount and timing of our revenue recognition is determined based on our licensees’ subsequent sale to its end customers. As a result, under such arrangements, which primarily include licensing of our content to distributors of transactional video-on-demand and electronic sell-through services, we often satisfy our performance obligation of delivery of our content in advance of revenue recognition. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized revenues of $80 million and $74 million, respectively, in our Filmed Entertainment segment for performance obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in a prior period.

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Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

7) DEBT

Our debt consists of the following:

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
2.250% Senior Notes due 2022		$	—		$	35
3.375% Senior Notes due 2022		—			415
3.125% Senior Notes due 2022		—			117
2.50% Senior Notes due 2023		—			196
3.25% Senior Notes due 2023		—			141
2.90% Senior Notes due 2023		—			242
4.25% Senior Notes due 2023		—			837
7.875% Debentures due 2023		139			139
7.125% Senior Notes due 2023		35			35
3.875% Senior Notes due 2024		490			490
3.70% Senior Notes due 2024		598			598
3.50% Senior Notes due 2025		597			596
4.75% Senior Notes due 2025		1,240			1,239
4.0% Senior Notes due 2026		791			791
3.45% Senior Notes due 2026		123			123
2.90% Senior Notes due 2027		691			691
3.375% Senior Notes due 2028		495			495
3.70% Senior Notes due 2028		492			492
4.20% Senior Notes due 2029		494			493
7.875% Senior Debentures due 2030		831			831
4.95% Senior Notes due 2031		1,221			1,220
4.20% Senior Notes due 2032		970			969
5.50% Senior Debentures due 2033		427			427
4.85% Senior Debentures due 2034		87			87
6.875% Senior Debentures due 2036		1,069			1,069
6.75% Senior Debentures due 2037		75			75
5.90% Senior Notes due 2040		298			298
4.50% Senior Debentures due 2042		45			45
4.85% Senior Notes due 2042		487			487
4.375% Senior Debentures due 2043		1,117			1,116
4.875% Senior Debentures due 2043		18			18
5.85% Senior Debentures due 2043		1,232			1,232
5.25% Senior Debentures due 2044		345			345
4.90% Senior Notes due 2044		540			540
4.60% Senior Notes due 2045		589			589
4.95% Senior Notes due 2050		943			942
5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057		514			514
6.25% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057		643			643
Other bank borrowings		115			95
Obligations under finance leases		36			26
Total debt (a)		17,787			19,733
Less current portion of long-term debt		19			16
Total long-term debt, net of current portion		$	17,768		$	19,717

(a) At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the senior and junior subordinated debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $481 million and $491 million, respectively, and (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $102 million and $107 million, respectively. The face value of our total debt was $18.37 billion and $20.33 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we redeemed senior notes totaling $1.99 billion, prior to maturity, for an aggregate redemption price of $2.11 billion resulting in a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $128 million.

Our 5.875% junior subordinated debentures due February 2057 and 6.25% junior subordinated debentures due February 2057 accrue interest at the stated fixed rates until February 28, 2022 and February 28, 2027, respectively, on which dates the rates will switch to floating rates based on three-month LIBOR plus 3.895% and 3.899%, respectively, reset quarterly. These debentures can be called by us at any time after the expiration of the fixed-rate period.

Commercial Paper

At both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had no outstanding commercial paper borrowings under our commercial paper program.

Credit Facility

At March 31, 2021, we had a $3.50 billion revolving credit facility with a maturity in January 2025 (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes and to support commercial paper borrowings, if any. We may, at our option, also borrow in certain foreign currencies up to specified limits under the Credit Facility. Borrowing rates under the Credit Facility are determined at the time of each borrowing and are generally based on either the prime rate in the U.S. or LIBOR plus a margin based on our senior unsecured debt rating, depending on the type and tenor of the loans entered. The Credit Facility has one principal financial covenant that requires our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio to be less than 4.5x (which we may elect to increase to 5.0x for up to four consecutive quarters following a qualified acquisition) at the end of each quarter. The Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio reflects the ratio of our Consolidated Indebtedness at the end of a quarter, to our Consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the amended credit agreement) for the trailing twelve-month period. We met the covenant as of March 31, 2021.

At March 31, 2021, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and the remaining availability under the Credit Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit, was $3.50 billion.

Other Bank Borrowings

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had bank borrowings under Miramax’s $300 million credit facility, which matures in April 2023, of $115 million and $95 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.50%.

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

8) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The carrying value of our financial instruments approximates fair value, except for notes and debentures. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying value of our notes and debentures was $17.64 billion and $19.61 billion, respectively, and the fair value, which is determined based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy) was $21.2 billion and $24.5 billion, respectively.

Investments

The fair value of our marketable securities was $20 million at March 31, 2021 which is included within “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The carrying value of our investments without a readily determinable fair value for which we have no significant influence was $65 million at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. These investments are included in “Other assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

We use derivative financial instruments primarily to modify our exposure to market risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We do not use derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure and therefore we do not hold or enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes. Foreign exchange forward contracts have principally been used to hedge projected cash flows, in currencies such as the British Pound, the Euro, the Canadian Dollar and the Australian Dollar, generally for periods up to 24 months. We designate foreign exchange forward contracts used to hedge committed and forecasted foreign currency transactions as cash flow hedges. Additionally, we enter into non-designated forward contracts to hedge non-U.S. dollar denominated cash flows.

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the notional amount of all foreign exchange contracts was $1.48 billion and $1.27 billion, respectively. At March 31, 2021, $948 million related to future production costs and $535 million related to our foreign currency balances and other expected foreign currency cash flows. At December 31, 2020, $740 million related to future production costs and $529 million related to our foreign currency balances and other expected foreign currency cash flows.

Gains recognized on derivative financial instruments were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020		Financial Statement Account
Non-designated foreign exchange contracts	$	1	$	29	Other items, net

The fair value of our derivative instruments was not material to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for any of the periods presented.

Fair Value Measurements

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. These assets and liabilities have been categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by the FASB, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 is based on publicly quoted prices for the asset or liability in active markets. Level 2 is based on inputs that are observable other than quoted market prices in active markets, such as quoted prices for the asset or liability in inactive markets or quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities. Level 3 is based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. We do not have any assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using level 3 inputs.

At March 31, 2021	Level 1		Level 2		Total
Assets:
Marketable securities	$	20	$	—	$	20
Foreign currency hedges	—		15		15
Total Assets	$	20	$	15	$	35
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	413	$	413
Foreign currency hedges	—		25		25
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	438	$	438

At December 31, 2020	Level 1		Level 2		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	$	—	$	20	$	20
Total Assets	$	—	$	20	$	20
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	529	$	529
Foreign currency hedges	—		39		39
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	568	$	568

The fair value of foreign currency hedges is determined based on the present value of future cash flows using observable inputs including foreign currency exchange rates. The fair value of deferred compensation liabilities is determined based on the fair value of the investments elected by employees. The fair value of marketable securities at March 31, 2021 was determined based on quoted market prices in active markets.

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Stockholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

9) STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Offerings

On March 26, 2021, we completed offerings of 20 million shares of our Class B Common Stock at a price to the public of $85 per share and 10 million shares of 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at a price to the public and liquidation preference of $100 per share. The net proceeds from the Class B Common Stock offering and the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock offering were approximately $1.67 billion and $983 million, respectively, in each case after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses. We intend to use these net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including investments in streaming.

Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

Unless earlier converted, each share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically and mandatorily convert on the mandatory conversion date, expected to be April 1, 2024, into between 1.0013 and 1.1765 shares of our Class B Common Stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The number of shares of Class B Common Stock issuable upon conversion will be determined based on the average of the volume-weighted average price per share of our Class B Common Stock over the 20 consecutive trading day period commencing on, and including, the 21st scheduled trading day immediately preceding April 1, 2024. Holders of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Holders”) have the right to convert all or any portion of their shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at any time prior to April 1, 2024 at the minimum conversion rate of 1.0013 shares of our Class B Common Stock. In addition, the conversion rate applicable to such an early conversion may, in certain circumstances, be increased to compensate Holders for certain unpaid accumulated dividends. However, if a fundamental change (as defined in the Certificate of Designations governing the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock) occurs on or prior to April 1, 2024, then Holders will, in certain circumstances, be entitled to convert all or a portion of their shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock at an increased conversion rate for a specified period of time and receive an amount to compensate them for unpaid accumulated dividends and any remaining future scheduled dividend payments.

The Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock is not redeemable. However, at our option, we may purchase or otherwise acquire (including in an exchange transaction) the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock from time to time in the open market, by tender or exchange offer or otherwise, without the consent of, or notice to, Holders. Holders have no voting rights, with certain exceptions.

Dividends on Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock accumulate from the most recent dividend payment date, or if no dividends have been paid, the original issue date, and will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, or an authorized committee thereof, at an annual rate of 5.75% of the liquidation preference of $100 per share, payable in cash or, subject to certain limitations, by delivery of shares of Class B Common Stock or through any combination of cash and shares of Class B Common Stock, at our election. If declared, dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are payable quarterly commencing on July 1, 2021, and continuing to, and including, April 1, 2024. If we have not declared all or any portion of the accumulated and unpaid dividends by April 1, 2024, the conversion rate will be adjusted so that Holders receive an additional number of shares of our Class B Common Stock, with certain limitations. The dividend payable on the first dividend payment date is expected to be $1.5493 per share of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, and each subsequent quarterly dividend is expected to be $1.4375 per share. We accumulated dividends on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Common Stock Dividends

We declared cash dividends of $.24 per share on our Class A and Class B Common Stock, during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, resulting in total dividends of $152 million and $150 million, respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables summarize the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

	Continuing Operations							Discontinued Operations
	Cumulative Translation Adjustments			Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost				Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
At December 31, 2020		$	(303)		$	(1,509)			$	(20)		$	(1,832)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(65)			—				2			(63)
Reclassifications to net earnings		—			13		(b)		—			13
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(65)			13				2			(50)
At March 31, 2021		$	(368)		$	(1,496)			$	(18)		$	(1,882)

	Continuing Operations							Discontinued Operations
	Cumulative Translation Adjustments			Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost				Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
At December 31, 2019		$	(438)		$	(1,507)			$	(25)		$	(1,970)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(87)			—				(14)			(101)
Reclassifications to net earnings		—			17		(b)		—			17
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(87)			17				(14)			(84)
At March 31, 2020		$	(525)		$	(1,490)			$	(39)		$	(2,054)

(a)Reflects cumulative translation adjustments.

(b)Reflects amortization of net actuarial losses (see Note 12). Amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are each net of a tax benefit of $5 million.

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Stock-based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-based Compensation

10) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
RSUs and PSUs	$	49	$	47
Stock options	3		6
Compensation cost included in operating and SG&A expense	52		53
Compensation cost included in restructuring and other corporate matters (a)	—		34
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes	52		87
Related tax benefit	(11)		(15)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit	$	41	$	72

(a) Reflects accelerations as a result of restructuring activities.

Included in net earnings from discontinued operations was stock-based compensation expense of $1 million for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

11) INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes represents federal, state and local, and foreign taxes on earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $226 million, reflecting an effective income tax rate of 19.6%. Included in the provision for income taxes is a discrete tax benefit of $21 million, primarily consisting of tax benefits from the resolution of certain state income tax matters and excess tax benefits from the vesting or exercise of stock-based compensation awards. These items, together with a net tax benefit of $25 million for the tax impact of the loss on extinguishment of debt and gain on marketable securities, impacted the effective income tax rate by 1.9 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $134 million, reflecting an effective income tax rate of 20.7%. Included in the provision for income taxes is a net tax benefit of $54 million for the tax impact of restructuring and other corporate matters, depreciation on abandoned technology, and other discrete tax items, which had a minimal effect on the effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

ViacomCBS and its subsidiaries file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and various state and international jurisdictions. For periods prior to the Merger, Viacom and CBS filed separate tax returns. For CBS, the IRS commenced its examination of the 2017 tax year during the fourth quarter of 2019 and commenced its examination of the 2018 tax year in February 2020. For Viacom, the IRS began its examination of the 2014 and 2015 tax years in April 2017. Various tax years are also currently under examination by state and local and foreign tax authorities. With respect to open tax years in all jurisdictions, we currently believe that it is reasonably possible that the reserve for uncertain tax positions may decrease by approximately $50 million within the next 12 months primarily related to potential resolutions of matters involving multiple tax periods and jurisdictions; however, as it is difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, events could cause our current expectation to change in the future.

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

12) PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The following table presents the components of net periodic cost for our pension and postretirement benefit plans.

	Pension Benefits				Postretirement Benefits
Three Months Ended March 31,	2021		2020		2021		2020
Components of net periodic cost (a):
Service cost	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	1
Interest cost	36		41		2		3
Expected return on plan assets	(47)		(48)		—		—
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) (b)	24		26		(3)		(4)
Net periodic cost	$	13	$	26	$	(1)	$	—

(a) Amounts reflect our domestic plans only.

(b) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings.

The service cost component of net periodic cost is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within operating income and all other components of net periodic cost are presented within “Other items, net.”

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

13) REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

We are subject to a redeemable put option, payable in a foreign currency, with respect to an international subsidiary. The put option expires in December 2022 and is classified as “Redeemable noncontrolling interest” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The activity reflected within redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Beginning balance	$	197	$	254
Net earnings	2		1
Distributions	(1)		(4)
Translation adjustment	2		(14)
Redemption value adjustment	(11)		33
Ending balance	$	189	$	270

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Reportable Segments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reportable Segments

14) REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

The following tables set forth our financial information by reportable segment. Our operating segments, which are the same as our reportable segments, have been determined in accordance with our internal management structure, which is organized based upon products and services.

In the first quarter of 2021, we began separately presenting streaming revenues in the categories we use to disaggregate our revenues (see Note 6).

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues:
Advertising	$	1,807	$	1,288
Affiliate	693		623
Streaming	322		204
Licensing and other	689		832
TV Entertainment	3,511		2,947
Advertising	878		945
Affiliate	1,382		1,345
Streaming	494		290
Licensing and other	505		278
Cable Networks	3,259		2,858
Theatrical	1		167
Licensing and other	996		644
Filmed Entertainment	997		811
Corporate/Eliminations	(355)		(117)
Total Revenues	$	7,412	$	6,499

Revenues generated between segments are principally from the licensing of Filmed Entertainment and Cable Networks content to Paramount+ and licensing of Filmed Entertainment and TV Entertainment content to our cable networks. These transactions are recorded at market value as if the sales were to third parties and are eliminated in consolidation. Revenues earned from the licensing of content within segments, including licensing to Paramount+ within the TV Entertainment segment, are eliminated within the segment. Intercompany revenues associated with the licensing of programming to Paramount+ after the initial exhibition on our broadcast or cable networks are recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement and eliminated in consolidation.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Intercompany Revenues:
TV Entertainment	$	72	$	75
Cable Networks	78		16
Filmed Entertainment	205		26
Total Intercompany Revenues	$	355	$	117

We present operating income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation and costs for restructuring and other corporate matters, each where applicable (“Adjusted OIBDA”), as the primary measure of profit and loss for our operating segments in accordance with FASB guidance for segment reporting since it is the primary method used by our management. Stock-based compensation is excluded from our segment measure of profit and loss because it is set and approved by our Board of Directors in consultation with corporate executive management.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Adjusted OIBDA:
TV Entertainment	$	449	$	573
Cable Networks	1,184		794
Filmed Entertainment	204		27
Corporate/Eliminations	(158)		(96)
Stock-based compensation	(52)		(53)
Depreciation and amortization	(99)		(112)
Restructuring and other corporate matters	—		(231)
Operating income	1,528		902
Interest expense	(259)		(241)
Interest income	13		14
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(128)		—
Other items, net	1		(28)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and     equity in loss of investee companies	1,155		647
Provision for income taxes	(226)		(134)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(18)		(9)
Net earnings from continuing operations	911		504
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12		15
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	923		519
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)		(3)
Net earnings attributable to ViacomCBS	$	911	$	516

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Assets:
TV Entertainment		$	19,014		$	19,443
Cable Networks		23,149			23,139
Filmed Entertainment		6,298			6,440
Corporate/Eliminations		4,987			2,202
Discontinued Operations		1,325			1,439
Total Assets		$	54,773		$	52,663

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

15) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Guarantees

Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds

We have indemnification obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety bonds primarily used as security against non-performance in the normal course of business. At March 31, 2021, the outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds approximated $142 million and were not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

CBS Television City

In connection with the sale of the CBS Television City property and sound stage operation (“CBS Television City”) in 2019, we guaranteed a specified level of cash flows to be generated by the business during the first five years following the completion of the sale. Included in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2021 is a liability of $75 million, reflecting the present value of the estimated amount payable under the guarantee obligation.

Lease Guarantees

We have certain indemnification obligations with respect to leases primarily associated with the previously discontinued operations of Famous Players Inc. These lease commitments were $67 million as of March 31, 2021 and are presented within “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The amount of lease commitments varies over time depending on the expiration or termination of individual underlying leases, or the related indemnification obligation, and foreign exchange rates, among other things. We may also have exposure for certain other expenses related to the leases, such as property taxes and common area maintenance. We believe our accrual is sufficient to meet any future obligations based on our consideration of available financial information, the lessees’ historical performance in meeting their lease obligations and the underlying economic factors impacting the lessees’ business models.

In the course of our business, we both provide and receive indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, we may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not live up to its obligations under an indemnification obligation. We record a liability for our indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable and reasonably estimable.

Legal Matters

General

On an ongoing basis, we vigorously defend ourselves in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and respond to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state, local and international authorities (collectively, “litigation”). Litigation may be brought against us without merit, is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on our understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that the following matters are not likely, in the aggregate, to result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Litigation Relating to the Merger

Beginning on February 20, 2020, three purported CBS stockholders filed separate derivative and/or putative class action lawsuits in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On March 31, 2020, the Court consolidated the

three lawsuits and appointed Bucks County Employees’ Retirement Fund and International Union of Operating Engineers of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware as co-lead plaintiffs for the consolidated action. On April 14, 2020, the lead plaintiffs filed a Verified Consolidated Class Action and Derivative Complaint (as used in this paragraph, the “Complaint”) against Shari E. Redstone, NAI, Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust, members of the CBS Board of Directors (comprised of Candace K. Beinecke, Barbara M. Byrne, Gary L. Countryman, Brian Goldner, Linda M. Griego, Robert N. Klieger, Martha L. Minow, Susan Schuman, Frederick O. Terrell and Strauss Zelnick), former CBS President and Acting Chief Executive Officer Joseph Ianniello and nominal defendant ViacomCBS Inc. The Complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties to CBS stockholders in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of August 13, 2019, as amended on October 16, 2019 (the “Merger Agreement”). The Complaint also alleges waste and unjust enrichment in connection with Mr. Ianniello’s compensation. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, costs and expenses, as well as other relief. On June 5, 2020, the defendants filed motions to dismiss. On January 27, 2021, the Court dismissed one disclosure claim, while allowing all other claims against the defendants to proceed. Discovery on the surviving claims is proceeding. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Beginning on November 25, 2019, four purported Viacom stockholders filed separate putative class action lawsuits in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. On January 23, 2020, the Court consolidated the four lawsuits. On February 6, 2020, the Court appointed California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) as lead plaintiff for the consolidated action. On February 28, 2020, CalPERS, together with Park Employees’ and Retirement Board Employees’ Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago and Louis M. Wilen, filed a First Amended Verified Class Action Complaint (as used in this paragraph, the “Complaint”) against NAI, NAI Entertainment Holdings LLC, Shari E. Redstone, the members of the Viacom special transaction committee of the Viacom Board of Directors (comprised of Thomas J. May, Judith A. McHale, Ronald L. Nelson and Nicole Seligman) and our President and Chief Executive Officer and director, Robert M. Bakish. The Complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties to Viacom stockholders in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Merger Agreement. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, costs and expenses, as well as other relief. On May 22, 2020, the defendants filed motions to dismiss. On December 29, 2020, the Court dismissed the claims against Mr. Bakish, while allowing the claims against the remaining defendants to proceed. Discovery on the surviving claims is proceeding. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Investigation-Related Matters

As announced on August 1, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors retained two law firms to conduct a full investigation of the allegations in press reports about CBS’ former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Moonves, CBS News and cultural issues at CBS. On December 17, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors announced the completion of its investigation, certain findings of the investigation and the CBS Board of Directors’ determination, discussed below, with respect to the termination of Mr. Moonves’ employment. We have received subpoenas or requests for information from the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the subject matter of this investigation and related matters, including with respect to CBS’ related public disclosures. We may continue to receive additional related regulatory and investigative inquiries from these and other entities in the future. We are cooperating with these inquiries.

On August 27, 2018 and on October 1, 2018, Gene Samit and John Lantz, respectively, filed putative class action lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, individually and on behalf of

others similarly situated, for claims that are similar to those alleged in the amended complaint described below. On November 6, 2018, the Court entered an order consolidating the two actions. On November 30, 2018, the Court appointed Construction Laborers Pension Trust for Southern California as the lead plaintiff of the consolidated action. On February 11, 2019, the lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended putative class action complaint against CBS, certain current and former senior executives and members of the CBS Board of Directors. The consolidated action is stated to be on behalf of purchasers of CBS Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock between September 26, 2016 and December 4, 2018. This action seeks to recover damages arising during this time period allegedly caused by the defendants’ purported violations of the federal securities laws, including by allegedly making materially false and misleading statements or failing to disclose material information, and seeks costs and expenses as well as remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. On April 12, 2019, the defendants filed motions to dismiss this action, which the Court granted in part and denied in part on January 15, 2020. With the exception of one statement made by Mr. Moonves at an industry event in November 2017, in which he allegedly was acting as the agent of CBS, all claims as to all other allegedly false and misleading statements were dismissed. We believe that the remaining claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Separation Agreement

On September 9, 2018, CBS entered into a separation and settlement agreement and releases (the “Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Moonves, pursuant to which Mr. Moonves resigned as a director and as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS. In October 2018, we contributed $120 million to a grantor trust pursuant to the Separation Agreement. On December 17, 2018, the CBS Board of Directors announced that, following its consideration of the findings of the investigation referred to above, it had determined that there were grounds to terminate Mr. Moonves’ employment for cause under his employment agreement with CBS. Any dispute related to the CBS Board of Directors’ determination is subject to binding arbitration as set forth in the Separation Agreement. On January 16, 2019, Mr. Moonves commenced a binding arbitration proceeding with respect to this matter and the related CBS Board of Directors investigation, which proceeding is ongoing. The assets of the grantor trust will remain in the trust until a final determination in the arbitration. We are currently unable to determine the outcome of the arbitration and the amount, if any, that may be awarded thereunder. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Litigation Related to Television Station Owners

On September 9, 2019, the Company was added as a defendant in a multi-district putative class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The lawsuit was filed by parties that claim to have purchased broadcast television spot advertising beginning on or about January 1, 2014 on television stations owned by one or more of the defendant television station owners and alleges the sharing of allegedly competitively sensitive information among such television stations in alleged violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The action, which names the Company among fourteen total defendants, seeks monetary damages, attorneys’ fees, costs and interest as well as injunctions against the allegedly unlawful conduct. On October 8, 2019, the Company and other defendants filed a motion to dismiss the matter, which was denied by the court on November 6, 2020. We believe that the claims are without merit and we intend to defend against them vigorously. We are currently unable to determine a range of potential liability, if any. Accordingly, no accrual for this matter has been made in our consolidated financial statements.

Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos

We are a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. We are typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of our products is the basis of a claim. Claims against us in which a product has been identified most commonly relate to allegations of exposure to asbestos-containing insulating material used in conjunction with turbines and electrical equipment.

Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. We do not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets that some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of March 31, 2021, we had pending approximately 30,480 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 30,710 as of December 31, 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, we received approximately 780 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 1,010 claims. We report claims as closed when we become aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when we have reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claims, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. Our total costs for the years 2020 and 2019 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax were approximately $35 million and $58 million, respectively. Our costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year and insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.

Filings include claims for individuals suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer, the risk of which is allegedly increased by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer, a cancer which may be caused by various factors, one of which is alleged to be asbestos exposure; other cancers, and conditions that are substantially less serious, including claims brought on behalf of individuals who are asymptomatic as to an allegedly asbestos-related disease. The predominant number of pending claims against us are non-cancer claims. It is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may impact the estimate of our asbestos liabilities, including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims. We record an accrual for a loss contingency when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We believe that our accrual and insurance are sufficient to cover our asbestos liabilities. Our liability estimate is based upon many factors, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims, as well as consultation with a third party firm on trends that may impact our future asbestos liability.

Other 

From time to time we receive claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that we are or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to our historical and predecessor operations. In addition, from time to time we receive personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from our historical operations and predecessors.

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Supplemental Financial Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Supplemental Financial Information

16) SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Cash paid for interest	$	316	$	322
Cash paid (received) for income taxes:
Continuing operations	$	(23)	$	54
Discontinued operations	$	—	$	1
Noncash additions to operating lease assets	$	5	$	55

Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, we enter into joint ventures or make investments with business partners that support our underlying business strategy and provide us the ability to enter new markets to expand the reach of our brands, develop new programming and/or distribute our existing content. In certain instances, an entity in which we make an investment may qualify as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we assess whether we have the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the activities of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The following tables present the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements related to our consolidated VIEs.

		At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Total assets		$	1,435		$	1,385
Total liabilities		$	233		$	197

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	71	$	18
Operating income (loss)	$	5	$	(2)

Lease Income

We enter into operating leases for the use of our owned production facilities and office buildings. Lease payments received under these agreements consist of fixed payments for the rental of space and certain building operating costs, as well as variable payments based on usage of production facilities and services, and escalating costs of building operations. We recorded total lease income, including both fixed and variable amounts, of $36 million and $34 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

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Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates—The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may vary from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Net Earnings per Common Share

Net Earnings per Common Share—Basic net earnings per share (“EPS”) is based upon net earnings available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net earnings available to common stockholders is calculated as net earnings from continuing operations or net earnings, as applicable, adjusted to include preferred stock dividends accumulated during the period. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we accumulated dividends of $1 million on the 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”) that was issued during the first quarter of 2021 (see Note 9).

Weighted average shares for diluted EPS reflects the effect of the assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or performance stock units (“PSUs”) only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive. Diluted EPS also reflects the effect of the assumed conversion of preferred stock, if dilutive, which includes the issuance of common shares in the weighted average number of shares and excludes the above-

mentioned accumulated preferred stock dividend adjustment to net earnings available to common stockholders.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

On January 1, 2021, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance on the accounting for income taxes that, among other provisions, eliminates certain exceptions to existing guidance related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also requires an entity to reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in its effective income tax rate in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance providing optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The guidance is effective immediately upon issuance and an entity may elect to apply it to contract modifications or hedging relationships entered into on or before December 31, 2022, with a few exceptions for certain hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022. We intend to apply this guidance when modifications of contracts that include LIBOR occur, which is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity

On August 5, 2020, the FASB issued amended guidance to reduce complexity associated with the accounting for convertible instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. Under this guidance, embedded conversion features associated with convertible instruments no longer need to be separated from the host contracts unless they are required to be accounted for as derivatives or have been issued at a substantial premium. For contracts in an entity’s own equity, this guidance removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exceptions. This guidance also amends certain EPS guidance for convertible instruments and expands disclosure requirements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Basis of Presentation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Reconciliation from Basic to Diluted Shares

The table below presents a reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in millions)	2021	2020
Weighted average shares for basic EPS	622	614
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans	8	2
Dilutive effect of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	1	—
Weighted average shares for diluted EPS	631	616

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Discontinued Operations (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Schedule of Discontinued Operations

The following table sets forth details of net earnings from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, which primarily reflects the results of Simon & Schuster.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	185	$	170
Costs and expenses:
Operating	120		99
Selling, general and administrative	38		43
Depreciation and amortization	—		1
Restructuring charges	—		2
Total costs and expenses (a)	158		145
Operating income	27		25
Other items, net	(2)		(5)
Earnings from discontinued operations	25		20
Income tax provision (b)	(13)		(5)
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	12	$	15

(a) The three months ended March 31, 2020 includes $10 million for the release of indemnification obligations for leases relating to a previously disposed business.

(b) The three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 include tax provisions of $7 million and $2 million, respectively, related to previously disposed businesses.

The following table presents the major classes of assets and liabilities of our discontinued operations.

		At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Receivables, net		$	322		$	447
Other current assets		192			183
Goodwill		435			435
Property and equipment, net		42			42
Operating lease assets		191			191
Other assets		143			141
Total Assets		$	1,325		$	1,439
Royalties payable		$	112		$	131
Other current liabilities		311			349
Operating lease liabilities		191			194
Other liabilities		21			26
Total Liabilities		$	635		$	700

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Programming and Other Inventory (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Current Programming and Other Inventory

The following table presents our programming and other inventory at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, grouped by type and predominant monetization strategy.

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Film Group Monetization:
Acquired program rights, including prepaid sports rights		$	2,688		$	3,413
Internally-produced television programming:
Released		2,526			2,558
In process and other		1,976			1,682
Individual Monetization:
Acquired libraries		475			483
Film inventory:
Released		417			374
Completed, not yet released		414			543
In process and other		991			816
Internally-produced television programming
Released		1,338			1,206
In process and other		1,033			1,013
Home entertainment		34			32
Total programming and other inventory		11,892			12,120
Less current portion		1,137			1,757
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory		$	10,755		$	10,363

Noncurrent Programming and Other Inventory

The following table presents our programming and other inventory at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, grouped by type and predominant monetization strategy.

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Film Group Monetization:
Acquired program rights, including prepaid sports rights		$	2,688		$	3,413
Internally-produced television programming:
Released		2,526			2,558
In process and other		1,976			1,682
Individual Monetization:
Acquired libraries		475			483
Film inventory:
Released		417			374
Completed, not yet released		414			543
In process and other		991			816
Internally-produced television programming
Released		1,338			1,206
In process and other		1,033			1,013
Home entertainment		34			32
Total programming and other inventory		11,892			12,120
Less current portion		1,137			1,757
Total noncurrent programming and other inventory		$	10,755		$	10,363

Programming and Production Costs

The following table presents amortization of television and film programming and production costs.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Programming costs, acquired programming	$	1,502	$	973
Production costs, internally-produced television and film programming:
Individual monetization	$	760	$	770
Film group monetization	$	650	$	689

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Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Restructuring Charges [Abstract]

Restructuring Reserve Rollforward

The following table presents a rollforward of our restructuring liability, which is recorded in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The majority of the restructuring liability at March 31, 2021, which primarily relates to severance payments, is expected to be paid by the end of 2021.

	Balance at			2021 Activity					Balance at
	December 31, 2020			Payments			Other		March 31, 2021
TV Entertainment		$	112		$	(13)	$	(2)		$	97
Cable Networks		144			(33)		(2)			109
Filmed Entertainment		30			(5)		(4)			21
Corporate		86			(33)		(2)			51
Total		$	372		$	(84)	$	(10)		$	278

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Related Parties (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Schedule of Related Party Transactions

The following tables present the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements related to these transactions.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	65	$	52
Operating expenses	$	4	$	2

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Accounts receivable		$	49		$	69

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Revenues (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues by Type:
Advertising (a)	$	2,681	$	2,219
Affiliate (b)	2,075		1,968
Streaming	816		494
Theatrical	1		167
Licensing and other	1,839		1,651
Total Revenues	$	7,412	$	6,499

(a) Excludes streaming advertising revenues.

(b) Excludes streaming subscription revenues.

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Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Debt

Our debt consists of the following:

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
2.250% Senior Notes due 2022		$	—		$	35
3.375% Senior Notes due 2022		—			415
3.125% Senior Notes due 2022		—			117
2.50% Senior Notes due 2023		—			196
3.25% Senior Notes due 2023		—			141
2.90% Senior Notes due 2023		—			242
4.25% Senior Notes due 2023		—			837
7.875% Debentures due 2023		139			139
7.125% Senior Notes due 2023		35			35
3.875% Senior Notes due 2024		490			490
3.70% Senior Notes due 2024		598			598
3.50% Senior Notes due 2025		597			596
4.75% Senior Notes due 2025		1,240			1,239
4.0% Senior Notes due 2026		791			791
3.45% Senior Notes due 2026		123			123
2.90% Senior Notes due 2027		691			691
3.375% Senior Notes due 2028		495			495
3.70% Senior Notes due 2028		492			492
4.20% Senior Notes due 2029		494			493
7.875% Senior Debentures due 2030		831			831
4.95% Senior Notes due 2031		1,221			1,220
4.20% Senior Notes due 2032		970			969
5.50% Senior Debentures due 2033		427			427
4.85% Senior Debentures due 2034		87			87
6.875% Senior Debentures due 2036		1,069			1,069
6.75% Senior Debentures due 2037		75			75
5.90% Senior Notes due 2040		298			298
4.50% Senior Debentures due 2042		45			45
4.85% Senior Notes due 2042		487			487
4.375% Senior Debentures due 2043		1,117			1,116
4.875% Senior Debentures due 2043		18			18
5.85% Senior Debentures due 2043		1,232			1,232
5.25% Senior Debentures due 2044		345			345
4.90% Senior Notes due 2044		540			540
4.60% Senior Notes due 2045		589			589
4.95% Senior Notes due 2050		943			942
5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057		514			514
6.25% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057		643			643
Other bank borrowings		115			95
Obligations under finance leases		36			26
Total debt (a)		17,787			19,733
Less current portion of long-term debt		19			16
Total long-term debt, net of current portion		$	17,768		$	19,717

(a) At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the senior and junior subordinated debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $481 million and $491 million, respectively, and (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $102 million and $107 million, respectively. The face value of our total debt was $18.37 billion and $20.33 billion at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Gains recognized on derivative financial instruments were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020		Financial Statement Account
Non-designated foreign exchange contracts	$	1	$	29	Other items, net

Fair Value Measurements

The following tables set forth our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. These assets and liabilities have been categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by the FASB, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 is based on publicly quoted prices for the asset or liability in active markets. Level 2 is based on inputs that are observable other than quoted market prices in active markets, such as quoted prices for the asset or liability in inactive markets or quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities. Level 3 is based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. We do not have any assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using level 3 inputs.

At March 31, 2021	Level 1		Level 2		Total
Assets:
Marketable securities	$	20	$	—	$	20
Foreign currency hedges	—		15		15
Total Assets	$	20	$	15	$	35
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	413	$	413
Foreign currency hedges	—		25		25
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	438	$	438

At December 31, 2020	Level 1		Level 2		Total
Assets:
Foreign currency hedges	$	—	$	20	$	20
Total Assets	$	—	$	20	$	20
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	$	—	$	529	$	529
Foreign currency hedges	—		39		39
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	568	$	568

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Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Changes in Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables summarize the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

	Continuing Operations							Discontinued Operations
	Cumulative Translation Adjustments			Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost				Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
At December 31, 2020		$	(303)		$	(1,509)			$	(20)		$	(1,832)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(65)			—				2			(63)
Reclassifications to net earnings		—			13		(b)		—			13
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(65)			13				2			(50)
At March 31, 2021		$	(368)		$	(1,496)			$	(18)		$	(1,882)

	Continuing Operations							Discontinued Operations
	Cumulative Translation Adjustments			Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost				Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
At December 31, 2019		$	(438)		$	(1,507)			$	(25)		$	(1,970)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(87)			—				(14)			(101)
Reclassifications to net earnings		—			17		(b)		—			17
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(87)			17				(14)			(84)
At March 31, 2020		$	(525)		$	(1,490)			$	(39)		$	(2,054)

(a)Reflects cumulative translation adjustments.

(b)Reflects amortization of net actuarial losses (see Note 12). Amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are each net of a tax benefit of $5 million.

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Stock-based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-based Compensation

The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
RSUs and PSUs	$	49	$	47
Stock options	3		6
Compensation cost included in operating and SG&A expense	52		53
Compensation cost included in restructuring and other corporate matters (a)	—		34
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes	52		87
Related tax benefit	(11)		(15)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit	$	41	$	72

(a) Reflects accelerations as a result of restructuring activities.

XML

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The following table presents the components of net periodic cost for our pension and postretirement benefit plans.

	Pension Benefits				Postretirement Benefits
Three Months Ended March 31,	2021		2020		2021		2020
Components of net periodic cost (a):
Service cost	$	—	$	7	$	—	$	1
Interest cost	36		41		2		3
Expected return on plan assets	(47)		(48)		—		—
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) (b)	24		26		(3)		(4)
Net periodic cost	$	13	$	26	$	(1)	$	—

(a) Amounts reflect our domestic plans only.

(b) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings.

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

The activity reflected within redeemable noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is presented below.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Beginning balance	$	197	$	254
Net earnings	2		1
Distributions	(1)		(4)
Translation adjustment	2		(14)
Redemption value adjustment	(11)		33
Ending balance	$	189	$	270

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Reportable Segments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Revenues by Segment

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues:
Advertising	$	1,807	$	1,288
Affiliate	693		623
Streaming	322		204
Licensing and other	689		832
TV Entertainment	3,511		2,947
Advertising	878		945
Affiliate	1,382		1,345
Streaming	494		290
Licensing and other	505		278
Cable Networks	3,259		2,858
Theatrical	1		167
Licensing and other	996		644
Filmed Entertainment	997		811
Corporate/Eliminations	(355)		(117)
Total Revenues	$	7,412	$	6,499

Intercompany Revenues by Segment

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Intercompany Revenues:
TV Entertainment	$	72	$	75
Cable Networks	78		16
Filmed Entertainment	205		26
Total Intercompany Revenues	$	355	$	117

Adjusted OIBDA by Segment and Reconciliation to Net Earnings (Loss)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Adjusted OIBDA:
TV Entertainment	$	449	$	573
Cable Networks	1,184		794
Filmed Entertainment	204		27
Corporate/Eliminations	(158)		(96)
Stock-based compensation	(52)		(53)
Depreciation and amortization	(99)		(112)
Restructuring and other corporate matters	—		(231)
Operating income	1,528		902
Interest expense	(259)		(241)
Interest income	13		14
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(128)		—
Other items, net	1		(28)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and     equity in loss of investee companies	1,155		647
Provision for income taxes	(226)		(134)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(18)		(9)
Net earnings from continuing operations	911		504
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12		15
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	923		519
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)		(3)
Net earnings attributable to ViacomCBS	$	911	$	516

Assets by Segment

	At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Assets:
TV Entertainment		$	19,014		$	19,443
Cable Networks		23,149			23,139
Filmed Entertainment		6,298			6,440
Corporate/Eliminations		4,987			2,202
Discontinued Operations		1,325			1,439
Total Assets		$	54,773		$	52,663

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Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Cash paid for interest	$	316	$	322
Cash paid (received) for income taxes:
Continuing operations	$	(23)	$	54
Discontinued operations	$	—	$	1
Noncash additions to operating lease assets	$	5	$	55

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities

The following tables present the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements related to our consolidated VIEs.

		At			At
	March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020
Total assets		$	1,435		$	1,385
Total liabilities		$	233		$	197

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues	$	71	$	18
Operating income (loss)	$	5	$	(2)

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Basis of Presentation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2021
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dividends		$ 1
Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)		3
Stock Options and RSUs [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)			26
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dividends		$ 1
Preferred stock, percentage	5.75%	5.75%
Simon And Schuster [Member] | Forecast [Member] | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Cash consideration				$ 2,175

XML

Basis of Presentation (Earnings per Share) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Weighted average shares for basic EPS	622	614
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans	8	2
Dilutive effect of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	1	0
Weighted average shares for diluted EPS	631	616

XML

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Simon And Schuster [Member] | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale [Member] | Forecast [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Cash consideration	$ 2,175

XML

Discontinued Operations (Schedule of Discontinued Operations, Net Earnings) (Details) - Discontinued Operations [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 185	$ 170
Costs and expenses:
Operating	120	99
Selling, general and administrative	38	43
Depreciation and amortization	0	1
Restructuring charges	0	2
Total costs and expenses (a)	158	145
Operating income	27	25
Other items, net	(2)	(5)
Earnings from discontinued operations	25	20
Income tax provision (b)	(13)	(5)
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12	15
Previous disposals, cost and expenses	10
Previous disposals, income tax prevision	$ 7	$ 2

XML

Discontinued Operations (Schedule of Discontinued Operations, Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets
Total Assets	$ 1,325	$ 1,439
Liabilities
Other current liabilities	423	480
Total Liabilities	212	220
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Assets
Receivables, net	322	447
Other current assets	192	183
Goodwill	435	435
Property and equipment, net	42	42
Operating lease assets	191	191
Other assets	143	141
Total Assets	1,325	1,439
Liabilities
Royalties payable	112	131
Other current liabilities	311	349
Operating lease liabilities	191	194
Other liabilities	21	26
Total Liabilities	$ 635	$ 700

XML

Programming and Other Inventory (Programming Inventory) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Inventory [Line Items]
Acquired program rights, including prepaid sports rights	$ 2,688	$ 3,413
Internally-produced television programming:
Released	2,526	2,558
In process and other	1,976	1,682
Individual Monetization:
Acquired libraries	475	483
Film inventory and Internally produced television programming:
Home entertainment	34	32
Total programming and other inventory	11,892	12,120
Less current portion	1,137	1,757
Programming and other inventory	10,755	10,363
Film Inventory [Member]
Film inventory and Internally produced television programming:
Released	417	374
Completed, not yet released	414	543
In process and other	991	816
Internally Produced Television Programming [Member]
Film inventory and Internally produced television programming:
Released	1,338	1,206
In process and other	$ 1,033	$ 1,013

XML

Programming and Other Inventory (Programming and Production Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Programming costs, acquired programming	$ 1,502	$ 973
Production costs, internally-produced television and film programming:
Individual monetization	760	770
Film group monetization	$ 650	$ 689

XML

Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 200
Merger related costs	31
Accelerated depreciation expense	12
Employee Severance [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	174
Exit costs [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 26

XML

Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters (Rollforward) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	$ 372
Payments	(84)
Other	(10)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	278
Operating Segments [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	112
Payments	(13)
Other	(2)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	97
Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	144
Payments	(33)
Other	(2)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	109
Operating Segments [Member] | Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	30
Payments	(5)
Other	(4)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	21
Corporate [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve, beginning balance	86
Payments	(33)
Other	(2)
Restructuring reserve, ending balance	$ 51

XML

Related Parties (Details)	Mar. 31, 2021 numberOfTrusts trustee
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
SMR Trust ownership in NAI	80.00%
Continuing trusts, voting stock ownership for each	40.00%
National Amusements, Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
NAI ownership of ViacomCBS common stock Class A common stock (percentage)	77.40%
NAI ownership of ViacomCBS Class A and Class B common stock on a combined basis (percentage)	9.70%
Number of trustees	7
Number of continuing trusts | numberOfTrusts	2
Number of trustees	2

XML

Related Parties (Schedule of Related Party Transactions) (Details) - Other Related Parties [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 65	$ 52
Operating expenses	4	$ 2
Accounts receivable	$ 49		$ 69

XML

Revenues (Disaggregation of Revenue) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 7,412	$ 6,499
Advertising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	2,681	2,219
Affiliate [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	2,075	1,968
Streaming [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	816	494
Theatrical [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1	167
Licensing and Other [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,839	$ 1,651

XML

Revenues (Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Allowance for credit loss	$ 83	$ 85
Other Assets [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Noncurrent receivables	$ 1,970	$ 2,020

XML

Revenues (Contract Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	$ 1,170		$ 1,120
Revenue recognized	$ 465	$ 276

XML

Revenues (Unrecognized Revenues Under Contract) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 6,480
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-04-01
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 2,910
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	9 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 2,390
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-01-01
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 778
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-01-01
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Unrecognized revenue	$ 399
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction period

XML

Revenues (Performance Obligations Satisfied in Previous Periods) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Performance obligation satisfied	$ 80	$ 74

XML

Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other bank borrowings	$ 115	$ 95
Obligations under finance leases	36	26
Total debt	17,787	19,733
Less current portion of long-term debt	19	16
Total long-term debt, net of current portion	17,768	19,717
Net unamortized discount on senior debt	481	491
Unamortized deferred financing costs	102	107
Face value of debt	18,370	20,330
2.250% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 0	35
Stated interest rate	2.25%
3.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 0	415
Stated interest rate	3.375%
3.125% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 0	117
Stated interest rate	3.125%
2.50% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 0	196
Stated interest rate	2.50%
3.25% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 0	141
Stated interest rate	3.25%
2.90% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 0	242
Stated interest rate	2.90%
4.25% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 0	837
Stated interest rate	4.25%
7.875% Debentures due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 139	139
Stated interest rate	7.875%
7.125% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 35	35
Stated interest rate	7.125%
3.875% Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 490	490
Stated interest rate	3.875%
3.70% Senior Notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 598	598
Stated interest rate	3.70%
3.50% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 597	596
Stated interest rate	3.50%
4.75% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 1,240	1,239
Stated interest rate	4.75%
4.0% Senior Notes due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 791	791
Stated interest rate	4.00%
3.45% Senior Notes due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 123	123
Stated interest rate	3.45%
2.90% Senior Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 691	691
Stated interest rate	2.90%
3.375% Senior Notes due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 495	495
Stated interest rate	3.375%
3.70% Senior Notes due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 492	492
Stated interest rate	3.70%
4.20% Senior Notes due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 494	493
Stated interest rate	4.20%
7.875% Senior Debentures due 2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 831	831
Stated interest rate	7.875%
4.95% Senior Notes due 2031 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 1,221	1,220
Stated interest rate	4.95%
4.20% Senior Notes due 2032 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 970	969
Stated interest rate	4.20%
5.50% Senior Debentures due 2033 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 427	427
Stated interest rate	5.50%
4.85% Senior Debentures due 2034 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 87	87
Stated interest rate	4.85%
6.875% Senior Debentures due 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 1,069	1,069
Stated interest rate	6.875%
6.75% Senior Debentures due 2037 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 75	75
Stated interest rate	6.75%
5.90% Senior Notes due 2040 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 298	298
Stated interest rate	5.90%
4.50% Senior Debentures due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 45	45
Stated interest rate	4.50%
4.85% Senior Notes due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 487	487
Stated interest rate	4.85%
4.375% Senior Debentures due 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 1,117	1,116
Stated interest rate	4.375%
4.875% Senior Debentures due 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 18	18
Stated interest rate	4.875%
5.85% Senior Debentures due 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 1,232	1,232
Stated interest rate	5.85%
5.25% Senior Debentures due 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 345	345
Stated interest rate	5.25%
4.90% Senior Notes due 2044 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 540	540
Stated interest rate	4.90%
4.60% Senior Notes due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 589	589
Stated interest rate	4.60%
4.95% Senior Notes due 2050 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior debt	$ 943	942
Stated interest rate	4.95%
5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Notes	$ 514	514
Stated interest rate	5.875%
6.25% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Junior Subordinated Notes	$ 643	$ 643
Stated interest rate	6.25%

XML

Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 128	$ 0
5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	5.875%
5.875% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057 [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.895%
6.25% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	6.25%
6.25% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2057 [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.899%
Senior Notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt redeemed	$ 1,990
Payments for debt redemption	$ 2,110

XML

Debt (Commercial Paper Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Commercial paper	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Debt (Credit Facility Narrative) (Details) - Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Period for Consolidated EBITDA	12 months
Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facility	$ 3,500,000,000
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio	4.5
Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio, potential increase	5.0
Amount borrowed under credit facility	$ 0
Availability under credit facility	$ 3,500,000,000

XML

Debt (Other Bank Borrowings Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other bank borrowings	$ 115,000,000	$ 95,000,000
Credit Facility [Member] | Miramax [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under credit facility	$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Other Bank Borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	3.50%

XML

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Carrying value of notes and debentures	$ 17,640	$ 19,610
Fair value of debt	21,200	24,500
Marketable securities	20
Investments without readily determinable fair value	$ 65	65
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Maximum derivative contract term	24 months
Notional amount of derivative	$ 1,480	1,270
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contract [Member] | Future Production Costs [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivative	948	740
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Foreign exchange contract [Member] | Other Foreign Currency [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of derivative	$ 535	$ 529

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Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Gain (Losses) Recognized on Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Foreign exchange contract [Member]
Derivatives [Line Items]
Non-designated foreign exchange contracts	$ 1	$ 29

XML

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets:
Marketable securities	$ 20
Foreign currency hedges	15	$ 20
Total Assets	35	20
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	413	529
Foreign currency hedges	25	39
Total Liabilities	438	568
Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	20
Foreign currency hedges	0	0
Total Assets	20	0
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	0	0
Foreign currency hedges	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Marketable securities	0
Foreign currency hedges	15	20
Total Assets	15	20
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation	413	529
Foreign currency hedges	25	39
Total Liabilities	$ 438	$ 568

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Offerings) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	$ 1,670	$ 1,672	$ 0
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	$ 983	$ 983	$ 0
Common Class B [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issuance (shares)	20
Shares issued (USD per share)	$ 85
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock issuance (shares)	10
Preferred stock, percentage	5.75%	5.75%
Liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 100

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Stockholders' Equity (Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions			3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2024	Mar. 26, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jul. 01, 2021
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Dividends			$ 1
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, percentage		5.75%	5.75%
Liquidation preference (in dollars per share)		$ 100
Dividends			$ 1
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | Forecast [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Consecutive trading days	20 days
Trading days	21 days
Accumulated dividends (in dollars per share)				$ 1.5493
Quarterly dividends payable over remaining term (in dollars per share)	$ 1.4375
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | Forecast [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible rate (in shares)	1.0013
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | Forecast [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Convertible rate (in shares)	1.1765

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Stockholders' Equity (Common Stock Dividends) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.24	$ 0.24
Dividends recorded on common stock	$ 152	$ 150

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Stockholders' Equity (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) beginning balance	$ (1,832)	$ (1,970)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(63)	(101)
Reclassifications to net earnings	13	17
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(50)	(84)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ending balance	(1,882)	(2,054)
Tax provision on net actuarial gain (loss) and prior service costs related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans	5	5
Cumulative Translation Adjustments [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) beginning balance	(303)	(438)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(65)	(87)
Reclassifications to net earnings	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(65)	(87)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ending balance	(368)	(525)
Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) beginning balance	(1,509)	(1,507)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Reclassifications to net earnings	13	17
Other comprehensive income (loss)	13	17
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ending balance	(1,496)	(1,490)
Other Comprehensive Income, Discontinued Operations [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) beginning balance	(20)	(25)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2	(14)
Reclassifications to net earnings	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2	(14)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ending balance	$ (18)	$ (39)

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Stock-based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
RSUs and PSUs	$ 49	$ 47
Stock options	3	6
Stock-based compensation	52	87
Related tax benefit	(11)	(15)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit	41	72
Stock-based compensation expense, discontinued operations	1	1
Operating and SG&A Expense [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	52	53
Restructuring and Other Corporate Matters [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 0	$ 34

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Expense (provision) for income taxes	$ (226)	$ (134)
Effective income tax rate	19.60%	20.70%
Discrete tax expense (benefit)	$ (21)
Benefit from loss on extinguishment of debt, loss on marketable securities and other discrete tax items	$ 25
Benefit from restructuring and other corporate matters, depreciation on abandoned technology and other discrete tax items		$ 54
Percentage point decrease in effective tax rate	1.90%
Decrease in uncertain tax positions	$ 50

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 0	$ 7
Interest cost	36	41
Expected return on plan assets	(47)	(48)
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	24	26
Net periodic cost	13	26
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	0	1
Interest cost	2	3
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	(3)	(4)
Net periodic cost	$ (1)	$ 0

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance	$ 197	$ 254
Net earnings	2	1
Distributions	(1)	(4)
Translation adjustment	2	(14)
Redemption value adjustment	(11)	33
Ending balance	$ 189	$ 270

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Reportable Segments (Revenues) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 7,412	$ 6,499
Operating Segments [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	3,511	2,947
Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	3,259	2,858
Operating Segments [Member] | Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	997	811
Corporate and Eliminations [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	(355)	(117)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	(355)	(117)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	(72)	(75)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	(78)	(16)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	(205)	(26)
Advertising [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	2,681	2,219
Advertising [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	1,807	1,288
Advertising [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	878	945
Affiliate [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	2,075	1,968
Affiliate [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	693	623
Affiliate [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	1,382	1,345
Streaming [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	816	494
Streaming [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	322	204
Streaming [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	494	290
Licensing and Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	1,839	1,651
Licensing and Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	689	832
Licensing and Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	505	278
Licensing and Other [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	996	644
Theatrical [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	1	167
Theatrical [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1	$ 167

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Reportable Segments (Operating Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ (52)	$ (87)
Depreciation and amortization	(99)	(112)
Restructuring and other corporate matters	0	(231)
Operating income	1,528	902
Interest expense	(259)	(241)
Interest income	13	14
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(128)	0
Other items, net	1	(28)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies	1,155	647
Provision for income taxes	(226)	(134)
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax	(18)	(9)
Net earnings from continuing operations	911	504
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	12	15
Net earnings (ViacomCBS and noncontrolling interests)	923	519
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	(12)	(3)
Net earnings attributable to ViacomCBS	911	516
Operating Segments [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted OIBDA	449	573
Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted OIBDA	1,184	794
Operating Segments [Member] | Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted OIBDA	204	27
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted OIBDA	(158)	(96)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	(52)	(53)
Depreciation and amortization	(99)	(112)
Restructuring and other corporate matters	$ 0	$ (231)

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Reportable Segments (Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 54,773	$ 52,663
Discontinued Operations	1,325	1,439
Operating Segments [Member] | TV Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	19,014	19,443
Operating Segments [Member] | Cable Networks [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	23,149	23,139
Operating Segments [Member] | Filmed Entertainment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	6,298	6,440
Corporate and Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 4,987	$ 2,202

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2021 claim	Sep. 09, 2019 defendant	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) claim	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) claim	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020 lawsuit	Jan. 23, 2020 claim	Aug. 01, 2018 lawsuit
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds | $				$ 142
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lawsuits consolidated | lawsuit							3
Number of claims dismissed | claim	1
Number of consolidated class action lawsuits | claim								4
Number of law firms retained | lawsuit									2
Contributions to grantor trust | $			$ 120
Number of defendants | defendant		14
Costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims, net of insurance recoveries and taxes | $					$ 35	$ 58
Asbestos Claims [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of pending asbestos claims | claim				30,480	30,710
Number of new asbestos claims | claim				780
Number of asbestos claims closed or moved to inactive docket | claim				1,010
CBS Television City [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guaranteed cash flow period						5 years
Estimated liability | $				$ 75
Famous Players [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated liability | $				$ 67

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Supplemental Financial Information (Supplemental Cash Flow Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash paid for interest	$ 316	$ 322
Noncash additions to operating lease assets	5	55
Continuing Operations [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	(23)	54
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	$ 0	$ 1

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Supplemental Financial Information (Variable Interest Entities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 54,773		$ 52,663
Revenues	7,412	$ 6,499
Operating income (loss)	1,528	902
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total assets	1,435		1,385
Total liabilities	233		$ 197
Revenues	71	18
Operating income (loss)	$ 5	$ (2)

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Supplemental Financial Information (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Lease income	$ 36	$ 34