Viacom names Robert Bakish acting president, CEO

Viacom has named Robert Bakish as acting president and chief executive to succeed interim CEO Tom Dooley, who is leaving the media conglomerate.

Bakish also takes on the new title of president and CEO of Viacom's Global Entertainment Group. He joined Viacom in 1997 and takes the helm on Nov. 15.

The New York company owns the Paramount Pictures movie studio and pay TV channels such as MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and BET.

Earlier this year, longtime Viacom CEO Phillipe Dauman was pushed out following a legal battle with media mogul Sumner Redstone's daughter, Shari Redstone, over control of the company. The fight ended with Shari Redstone as a Viacom director and president of National Amusements, which has a controlling stake in CBS and Viacom.