Copyright Variety
After Paramount Skydance‘s across-the-board layoffs last week, TV Media chair George Cheeks unveiled a new leadership structure for the company’s cable brands. Cheeks, in a memo sent Tuesday to staffers that was obtained by Variety, said the goal for the TV Media group is “to reinvent and strengthen our brands to build a stronger future that’s rooted in exceptional storytelling across entertainment, news and sports.” Prior to the Skydance takeover, Paramount’s cable TV business was led by Chris McCarthy, head of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, who was also one of Paramount Global’s three co-CEOs. McCarthy left the company with the closing of the Skydance-Paramount deal. Under the new structure at Paramount Skydance, Laurel Weir will lead programming for multiple brands across the TV Media division, including MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon, and she will oversee the global programming acquisitions group across TV Media. Her previous title was EVP/head of programming and strategic insights & research for Paramount Media Networks, Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios. At MTV, Jeannie Scalzo (previously EVP, brand partnerships at Paramount Media Networks) will partner with Weir to lead the business, according to Cheeks. Sitarah Pendelton (formerly EVP unscripted series, Paramount Media Networks and Paramount+) will lead all MTV series and specials. Jules Borkent, formerly VP of programming at Nickelodeon International, will now oversee Nickelodeon Kids & Family’s business and strategy. Ashley Kaplan and Alec Botnick will lead Nickelodeon’s animation studio for digital, TV and streaming and also will oversee animated development across the CBS, Comedy Central, and MTV brands for owned and third-party platforms. Comedy Central will be led by Ari Pearce, former SVP of original programming and development at the network. Referring to Paramount Skydance’s layoffs, coming after Skydance closed its deal for Paramount Global, Cheeks thanked staffers “for your resilience during this difficult time of transformation. Saying goodbye to valued colleagues is never easy, and your continued commitment speaks volumes.” Not mentioned in Cheeks’ memo: who will oversee other Paramount cable networks including VH1, TV Land, Logo TV and Paramount Network. The exec’s email also didn’t address the exit of Taylor Sheridan to NBCUniversal, after Sheridan produced a string of hits for Paramount including “Yellowstone” and its spinoffs, as well as “Tulsa King,” “Lioness,” “Landman” and “Mayor of Kingstown.” Going forward, according to Cheeks, Paramount Skydance will be “leaning into” franchises like “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Paw Patrol” (Nickelodeon); “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (MTV); “The Ms. Pat Show” (BET); and “South Park” and “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central). At the same time, the team will be “continuing to develop new IP across our studios and seeking new ways to amplify and connect with audiences,” Cheeks wrote. In another change, Janice Gatti (formerly head of Paramount international communications) will oversee PR and communications for TV Media, with Ashley Priest joining her. That comes after Liza Burnett Fefferman exited her post as head of communications for Paramount Media Networks and Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios in August. Last week, Paramount TV Studios head Matt Thunell announced a restructuring of its leadership team amid the mass layoffs. Read Cheeks’ full memo: Team, Thank you for your resilience during this difficult time of transformation. Saying goodbye to valued colleagues is never easy, and your continued commitment speaks volumes. As we move forward, I want to share our vision for the newly aligned TV Media division – a powerhouse of iconic brands and creative talent. This group includes CBS alongside BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and more. These brands have entertained audiences and shaped culture for decades. While the industry has changed considerably, their brand identities and creative voices are meaningful and remain strong. Together, we will reimagine how we leverage their power across platforms in ways that reflect today’s audiences and tomorrow’s possibilities. Purpose Our purpose is clear: to reinvent and strengthen our brands to build a stronger future that’s rooted in exceptional storytelling across entertainment, news and sports. We’ll celebrate each brand, while leaning into franchises, driving revenue, growing viewership and deepening engagement across platforms. Our cable brands will focus on a more curated slate, optimizing programming and marketing resources to amplify what resonates most. That means leaning into franchises like SPONGEBOB, PAW PATROL, RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, SOUTH PARK, MS. PAT and THE DAILY SHOW, while continuing to develop new IP across our studios and seeking new ways to amplify and connect with audiences. This is a moment to embrace new ideas and focus on what truly makes an impact on our business. It is essential that we clarify priorities and be intentional in all we do. We also need to be honest about what’s not working and give our teams agency to rethink legacy processes that no longer move the needle. Let’s share expertise and work together because our success depends on how we show up for each other and for our audiences. Let’s move forward with purpose, creativity and a shared commitment to shaping what’s next. Leadership As part of our new TV Media division, the Paramount cable brands will have a new structure with new leadership assigned as follows: Finally, our cross-divisional TV Media leads supporting all our broadcast, studios and cable businesses are: Bryon Rubin (COO & CFO); Mike Benson (Marketing); Allison Brightman and Jeeun Kim (Business Affairs); Whitney Delich (Human Resources); Chris Ender (Communications); Jeff Gerttula (Digital); Liz Miller (Production); Jeannie Scalzo (Brand Strategy & IP Monetization); Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i (Content Engagement & Partnerships); and Laurel Weir (Strategic Insights & Research). What’s Next I’m working closely with our leadership team to refine our vision, priorities and goals for the path ahead. We’ll share more as soon as possible. Thank you for everything you do. I believe in this team and in what we’re building as we shape the future of TV Media together. George
