National Amusements Inc., which controls 80% of the votingshares in Viacom Inc.and CBS Corp., is setto call for the two companies to consider a potential merger, Reuters reportedSept. 28, citing two people with knowledge of the matter.

NAI reportedly could ask the companies to form independentboard committees in the next few days to explore the possible marriage betweenthe two media conglomerates.

The news comes after Leslie Moonves, chairman and CEO of CBSCorp., said the company was not engaged in active discussions to merge with Viacom.

Also, the media giant recently plans to sell a minority stakein Paramount Pictures, and announced departure of interim Viacom President andCEO Tom Dooley in November. In August, Philippe Dauman resigned as Viacompresident and CEO following a public falling out with Chairman Emeritus SumnerRedstone and Vice Chair Shari Redstone.

A report by the NewYork Post suggested that Brad Grey, chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures,could be next in line to exit the company following news that ParamountPictures Vice Chairman Rob Moore is leaving the embattled movie division.