Germany at Center of Viacom Expansion

Germany is at the center of the American media company Viacom's European expansion plans. On Thursday, the media giant bid to take-over the German music video channel Viva, until now a competitor of MTV, which Viacom also owns. According to Catherine Mühlemann, the manager responsible for the German version of MTV, after the merger the two channels will now work in synergy, offering complimentary programming. The deal is subject to the approval of an oversight board, as Viacom would henceforth dominate the German music television market.