(Corrects headline to show CEO and four other directors, not five, removed from board, and that Dauman remains CEO)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone on Thursday removed five of Viacom Inc's directors, including Chief Executive Philippe Dauman, from the company's board, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
It is the latest move in a fierce battle over the 93-year-old's $40 billion media empire.
Redstone's privately held movie company, National Amusements, which owns 80 percent of voting shares of Viacom, filed with a Delaware Court to approve that the changes are legal.
(Reporting by Jessica Toonkel and Daniel Levine; Editing by Bill Rigby)