viac-20211102
VIACOMCBS INC.8-KNovember 2, 20210000813828false00008138282021-11-022021-11-020000813828us-gaap:CommonClassAMember2021-11-022021-11-020000813828us-gaap:CommonClassBMember2021-11-022021-11-020000813828us-gaap:ConvertiblePreferredStockMember2021-11-022021-11-02

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 2, 2021
VIACOMCBS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware001-0955304-2949533
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(Commission File Number)(IRS Employer Identification
Number)
1515 Broadway
New York,New York10036
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212258-6000
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolsName of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par valueVIACAThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par valueVIACThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par valueVIACPThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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.   



Item 8.01    Other Events

On November 2, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to block the sale by ViacomCBS Inc. (“ViacomCBS”) of its Simon & Schuster business to Penguin Random House LLC (“Penguin Random House”) (the “Transaction”) pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”), dated November 24, 2020, between ViacomCBS, certain of its subsidiaries, Penguin Random House and Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and covenants, including commitments on the part of Penguin Random House to take all necessary steps to obtain any required regulatory approvals and to defend any litigation that would delay or prevent consummation, and also provides for a termination fee payable to ViacomCBS in certain circumstances in the event the transaction does not close for regulatory reasons.

The parties believe the DOJ’s claims are without merit and intend to defend against them vigorously.




SIGNATURE
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 hereunto duly authorized.

VIACOMCBS INC.
By: /s/ Christa A. D'Alimonte
Name: Christa A. D'Alimonte
Title: Executive Vice President,
          General Counsel and Secretary



Date: November 2, 2021