Leslie Moonves, who is facing an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against him as well as a bitter boardroom battle over the control of CBS, has for the last few weeks been negotiating his potential exit from the network whichhe has run for two decades.

Moonves plans to exit as chief executive, including terms of a payout that would be far less than $180 million, the amount specified in his employment agreement should he leave the CBS Corporation, according to three people familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a private bargaining agreement.

The multiple allegations of sexual harassment against Moonves is still under investigation and if he departs , his chief lieutenant, Joseph Ianniello, is likely to be named interim chief executive.

During his tenure, Moonves, has helped transform CBS from a last-place network into the most watched channel for the last decade, with hits like “The Big Bang Theory” and “Survivor.” That success has made Moonves one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood and his possible departure has put the future fortunes of the company into doubt.

For over a month, Moonves has been grappling with the two separate but equally fateful issues. In addition to the harassment allegations against him, Mr. Moonves is involved in a legal dispute with Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder of CBS. The talks also include delaying for two years a possible merger between CBS and Viacom, both of which are controlled by Ms.

Redstone’s family company, National Amusements. CNBC first reported details of the possible settlement involving Mr. Moonves, who is also the CBS chairman. Ms. Redstone had said she would only pursue a merger if both companies supported a transaction.

In July, The New Yorker published an article, written by the investigative journalist Ronan Farrow, in which six women made allegations of harassment against Moonves. The earliest allegations in the article date to the mid-1980s, and the most recent to 2006.

In a statement at the time, Mr. Moonves said: “I recognize that there were times decades ago when I may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances.

Those were mistakes, and I regret them immensely. But I always understood and respected — and abided by the principle — that ‘no’ means ‘no,’ and I have never misused my position to harm or hinder anyone’s career.”
Shortly after the article was published, the CBS board enlisted two law firms to lead an inquiry into the claims against Moonves and the wider workplace culture at the network. The board soon after folded a separate examination of CBS News — underway since March — into the larger investigation.