Les Moonves’ 2015 Compensation Drops

Less Moonves

Les Moonves saw a drop in his total compensation last year as his 2015 CBS Corp. pay package totaled $56.8 million.

In 2014, CBS’ chairman-CEO made $57.2 million, including a $25 million bonus and $25 million in stock awards and options.

However, CBS noted in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Friday that Moonves has received another $6 million in stock grants earlier this year as part of his 2015 bonus that will be reflected in his 2016 compensation tally. This year’s compensation package includes $3 million in stock grants that he received in early 2015 as part of his 2014 bonus.

Moonves earned a $19 million bonus and $32.6 million in stock grants and options, in addition to a $3.5 million salary.

Amid heightened scrutiny of corporate governance at CBS Corp. and Viacom, the compensation for controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone dropped significantly to $1.76 million, down from $10.8 million in 2014 and $57.2 million in 2013.

In February, the 92-year-old Redstone shifted to chairman emeritus of CBS and Viacom following rising concerns from investors about his mental and physical capacity. Moonves succeeded Redstone as chairman.

Next to Moonves, the second highest-paid CBS exec in 2015 was chief operating officer Joseph Ianniello, who received $26.4 million, down from $27 million in 2014.