Leslie Moonves' paycheck for 2009: $43.2 million

CBS Corp.'s not-so undercover boss, Leslie Moonves, was awarded a total compensation package of $43.2 million for 2009, according to regulatory filings released Friday.

The amount includes $3.5 million in base salary plus a $15-million bonus. The 60-year-old chief executive also received stock worth $7.6 million and stock options that are presently worth about $14.3 million. 

Moonves' total package for 2009 was more than double what he was awarded in 2008 when the company's stock dropped precipitously. In 2008, the package was $21.2 million. No stock options were granted that year.

CBS defended Moonves' compensation.

"More than 85% of Mr. Moonves' compensation is keyed to performance-based measures, ensuring that its actual value will continue to be closely aligned with that of the company's shareholders," the company said in a statement.

CBS' controlling shareholder and chairman, Sumner Redstone, collected $16.2 million for 2009.  Redstone, who turns 87 next month, garnered an additional $16.8 million in total compensation for his role as chairman of his other company, Viacom Inc., according to a separate filing.  Between the two companies, Redstone collected a total of $33 million in compensation.

Viacom Chief Executive Philippe Dauman's total compensation for 2009 was slightly more: he was awarded a total package of $34 million.

-- Meg James

Photo:  Leslie Moonves  Credit: John Filo / CBS

Comments

[Jill Kennedy]

CBS Films is still going to fail...

http://mankabros.com/onmedea/2010/01/cbs_films_rip.html

Only two more films until the "reevaluate their strategy".

[lioness]

As someone who worked for Leslie Moonves for 10 years, all I can say is that he earns every single penny.

[emm305]

He only pays Social Security taxes on the first $106,900 or so of his income. We wonder why the Social Security trust fund is going broke...because people like this don't have to pay on ALL of their income like their drivers, maids, secretaries, etc., etc., etc., do.

[ALEX]

THE MAN--so well rewarded for transforming a legendary NEWS Division into
an all-around celebrity-driven, info-entertainment, Republican and Pentagon
enabling/cheerleading operations!?! CBS Hard NEWS and Commentary,
including prized investigative "60 Minutes" journalism ARE NO MORE,
to be sure.

[dave]

not sure if he deserves all that much money. why is cbs news under his leadership losing money and ratings? remember he came to that position to make cbs news #1. that has not happened yet.