Karmazin Quits Viacom – Is Stern Finished?

Mel Karmazin has resigned as chairman of Viacom, the media conglomerate that owns CBS and radio giant Infinity Broadcasting. The resignation is likely to have ripple effects throughout the media world, as several Disney board members are known to have been courting Karmazin as a replacement for embattled CEO Michael Eisner. Additionally, Karmazin’s departure could spell the end for controversial radio host Howard Stern, whom Karmazin allowed a very long creative leash which is unlikely to be matched by future execs running scared from a potential FCC crackdown on obscenity.