CBS, Viacom Set Merger Closing Date

Viacom and CBS said they have set Dec. 4, after the market closes, as the date for the completion of their long-awaited merger.

The two companies, which announced their plans to combine in August, said they expect trading of their new stock -- under the new symbol VIAC -- will begin on Dec. 5. The combined company will be called ViacomCBS and will include assets like cable channels MTV, Comedy Central, BET and Nickelodeon, broadcast network CBS, premium channel Showtime, production unit Paramount studios and others.