Viacom sells Harmonix

TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS: Viacom has sold Harmonix Music Systems, the developer of the Rock Band videogame (see item below), to the investment firm Columbus Nova. The deal will probably contribute $100 million to $200 million to Viacom, in large part from tax benefits and the buyer’s assumption of liabilities like write-downs on holiday sales, analyst James Dix told the N.Y. Times. Viacom had a net loss of $316 million from Harmonix from discontinued operations for the nine months ended Sept. 30, according to financial statements. (12/24a)