UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
______________________
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) |
______________________
ViacomCBS Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
______________________
Christa A. D’Alimonte
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
ViacomCBS Inc.
1515 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
(212) 258-6000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
______________________
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 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 whether 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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class
of |
Amount to be Registered (1) |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share (2) |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price (2) |
Amount of Registration Fee |
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share | 5,000,000 shares | $38.76 | $193,800,000.00 | $21,143.58 |
(1) | Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of additional shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), of ViacomCBS Inc. (“ViacomCBS,” the “Company” or the “registrant”), which may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from adjustments as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. | |
(2) | Pursuant to Rule 457(c) and 457(h) of the Securities Act, the proposed maximum offering price per share is based on the average of the high and low prices of the Class B Common Stock on the NASDAQ consolidated reporting system on August 4, 2021 and is estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement has been filed for the purpose of registering an additional 5,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock (“Common Shares”) that may be offered or sold to the participants in the ViacomCBS Inc. 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan (f/k/a the CBS Corporation 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan). The Common Shares are in addition to the Common Shares previously registered for issuance on the registrant’s Registration Statements on Form S-8 filed with the Commission on January 20, 2010 and August 28, 2014 (Reg. No. 333-164441 and Reg. No. 333-198455, respectively (the latter, the “2014 Statement”)). Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the 2014 Statement are incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this Registration Statement, except as presented below in Part II, Item 8. Exhibits.
Part
II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 8. | Exhibits. |
23.1 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Public Registered Accounting Firm for ViacomCBS Inc.* | |
23.2 | Consent of Shearman & Sterling LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).* |
24.1 | Power of Attorney.* | |
* Filed herewith |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on August 9, 2021.
VIACOMCBS INC. | |||
By: |
/s/ Christa A. D’Alimonte | ||
Name: Christa A. D’Alimonte | |||
Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | |
Principal Executive Officer | |||
/s/ Robert M. Bakish | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Robert M. Bakish | |||
Principal Financial and Accounting Officers | |||
/s/ Naveen Chopra | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | August 9, 2021 | |
Naveen Chopra | |||
/s/ Katherine M. Gill-Charest | Executive Vice President, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer | August 9, 2021 | |
Katherine M. Gill-Charest | |||
Directors | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Candace K. Beinecke | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Barbara M. Byrne | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Brian Goldner | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Linda M. Griego | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Robert N. Klieger | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Judith A. McHale |
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Ronald L. Nelson | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Charles E. Phillips, Jr. | |||
* | Non-executive Chair of the Board of Directors | August 9, 2021 | |
Shari E. Redstone | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Susan Schuman | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Nicole Seligman | |||
* | Director | August 9, 2021 | |
Frederick O. Terrell |
*By: | /s/ Christa A. D’Alimonte | ||
Christa A. D’Alimonte | |||
Attorney-in-Fact |
599 Lexington Avenue +1.212.848.4000 |
Exhibit 5.1
August 9, 2021
ViacomCBS Inc.
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are acting as counsel for ViacomCBS, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with preparation and filing by the Company of a registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to registration of 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), that may be issued under the ViacomCBS 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Plan”).
In connection with the foregoing, we have reviewed originals or copies identified to our satisfaction of the following documents:
(a) | The Registration Statement; |
(b) | The certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company, in each case as amended to date; and |
(c) | Originals or copies of such other corporate records of the Company, certificates of public officials and of officers of the Company, and agreements and other documents as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below. |
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents, certificates and instruments submitted to us as originals and the conformity with originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.
Our opinion set forth below is based on the text of the Plan as referenced in the Exhibit Index to the Registration Statement.
Our opinion expressed below is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and having regard for such legal considerations as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that authorized but not previously issued Shares which may be delivered under the Plan have been duly authorized by the Company and, when (a) issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Plan and (b) paid in full in accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
SHEARMAN.COM |
Shearman & Sterling LLP is a limited liability partnership organized in the United States under the laws of the state of Delaware, which laws limit the personal liability of partners. |
This opinion letter speaks only as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to advise you of any development or circumstance of any kind, including any change of law or fact that may occur after the date of this opinion letter that might affect the opinions expressed herein.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby concede that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required by the Securities Act or the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
This opinion is rendered solely to you in connection with the above matter. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose without our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Shearman & Sterling LLP
2
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of ViacomCBS Inc. of our report dated February 24, 2021, relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in ViacomCBS Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
New York, New York |
August 9, 2021 |
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 4th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Candace K. Beinecke
Name: Candace K. Beinecke
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 6th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Barbara M. Byrne
Name: Barbara M. Byrne
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 7th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Brian Goldner
Name: Brian Goldner
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 4th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Linda M. Griego
Name: Linda M. Griego
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 5th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Robert N. Klieger
Name: Robert N. Klieger
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 4th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Judith A. McHale
Name: Judith A. McHale
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 4th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Ronald L. Nelson
Name: Ronald L. Nelson
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 3rd day of August, 2021.
/s/ Charles E. Phillips, Jr.
Name: Charles E. Phillips, Jr.
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 6th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Shari E. Redstone
Name: Shari E. Redstone
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 6th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Susan Schuman
Name: Susan Schuman
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 4th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Nicole Seligman
Name: Nicole Seligman
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Christa A. D’Alimonte as attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) currently contemplated to be filed on August 6, 2021, and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by the Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act, and all post-effective amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 6th day of August, 2021.
/s/ Frederick O. Terrell
Name: Frederick O. Terrell