American media company CBS has turned to computer giant Dell for its new general counsel.

Larry Tu who is currently the GC for Dell in Austin, Texas, will start his new role in January 2014, based in Los Angeles.

Prior to Dell, where he has worked for nine years, Tu was general counsel of NBC Universal where he oversaw NBC's acquisition of Telemundo, Bravo and Universal. He succeeds CBS' current legal head Louis Briskman, who this week announced his retirement after more than 30 years with the company.

Before that he was based in Hong Kong, which included stints as the co-general counsel of for Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific, and a five year term as O'Melveny & Myers' office managing partner in the city. In total he spent 15 years at the firm specializing in corporate finance and M&A.

Reporting to president and CEO of CBS, Leslie Moonves, Tu will oversee all legal matters related to CBS and its divisions, which include CBS Television Network, The CW, Showtime Networks, CBS Sports Network, CBS Radio and CBS Films.

CBS airs programmes including The Big Bang Theory, Live on Letterman (pictured), Two and a Half Men and CSI.

His official title will be senior executive vice president and chief legal officer for the company, which is second largest broadcaster in the world after the BBC.

"Larry possesses a deep understanding of how the law intersects with intellectual property, copyright and content distribution, as well as other issues facing our industry," said Moonves.

"He brings to this position [experience] in finance, M&A, entertainment, government regulation, litigation and technology.".