Viacom Inc. VIAB has signed a long-term deal with Trevor Noah’s Day Zero Productions, an international production and distribution company for future film and TV projects. In fact, Trevor Noah and Viacom are no strangers as the former has been hosting Comedy Central’s The Daily Show since September 2015. Comedy Central is a unit of Viacom. Given the immense popularity of the award-winning late night talk show, Comedy Central extended its contract with Noah till 2022.
The long-term deal is another step by Viacom to strengthen its relationship with one of the most versatile talents in the entertainment space. Under the expanded alliance, financial terms of which remain undisclosed, the owner of Comedy Central has gained exclusive “first look” rights on all projects developed by Day Zero Productions and Noah. The projects pertain to all types of media content (television, feature films, digital and short-form video).
Moreover, the long-term association with this creative personality will see Viacom invest in his company. Furthermore, Viacom’s Paramount Players will adapt Noah’s biopic Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood as a feature film and produce and distribute it as well. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o will play the multifaceted performer’s mother in this previously-announced project.
Viacom’s decision to expand its relationship with the comedian should find favor with all concerned and we believe that this is another step by the company to redeem itself, as it has been struggling due to weak domestic affiliate revenues, hurt by decrease in subscribers. Moreover, the potential Viacom – CBS Corporation CBS merger has also been making news lately.
Price Performance
Viacom’s shares have struggled primarily due to the above-mentioned headwinds. Moreover, the stock has lost 33% of its value in a year’s time, wider than the industry’s decline of 13.7%.
Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider
Viacom carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Investors interested in the broader Consumer Discretionary industry may also consider Time Warner Inc. TWX and Netflix, Inc. NFLX, carrying the same bullish rank as Viacom. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Netflix and Time Warner have long-term (three-five years) earnings growth rates of 26.7% and 8.4% respectively.
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