{"id":117831,"date":"2025-11-04T18:10:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T18:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/117831\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T18:10:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T18:10:09","slug":"paramount-tv-leadership-structure-for-cable-tv-brands-after-layoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/117831\/","title":{"rendered":"Paramount TV Leadership Structure for Cable TV Brands After Layoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tAfter Paramount Skydance<\/a>\u2018s across-the-board layoffs last week<\/a>, TV Media chair George Cheeks<\/a> unveiled a new leadership structure for the company\u2019s cable brands.<\/p>\n

\n\tCheeks, in a memo sent Tuesday to staffers that was obtained by Variety, said the goal for the TV Media group is \u201cto reinvent and strengthen our brands to build a stronger future that\u2019s rooted in exceptional storytelling across entertainment, news and sports.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tPrior to the Skydance takeover, Paramount\u2019s cable TV business was led by Chris McCarthy<\/a>, head of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, who was also one of Paramount Global\u2019s three co-CEOs. McCarthy left the company<\/a> with the closing of the Skydance-Paramount deal.<\/p>\n

\n\tUnder 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.<\/p>\n

\n\tAt 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.<\/p>\n

\n\tJules Borkent, formerly VP of programming at Nickelodeon International, will now oversee Nickelodeon Kids & Family\u2019s business and strategy. Ashley Kaplan and Alec Botnick will lead Nickelodeon\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\n\tComedy Central will be led by Ari Pearce, former SVP of original programming and development at the network.<\/p>\n

\n\tReferring to Paramount Skydance\u2019s layoffs, coming after Skydance closed its deal for Paramount Global, Cheeks thanked staffers \u201cfor your resilience during this difficult time of transformation. Saying goodbye to valued colleagues is never easy, and your continued commitment speaks volumes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tNot mentioned in Cheeks\u2019 memo: who will oversee other Paramount cable networks including VH1, TV Land, Logo TV and Paramount Network. The exec\u2019s email also didn\u2019t address the exit of Taylor Sheridan to NBCUniversal<\/a>, after Sheridan produced a string of hits for Paramount including \u201cYellowstone\u201d and its spinoffs, as well as \u201cTulsa King,\u201d \u201cLioness,\u201d \u201cLandman\u201d and \u201cMayor of Kingstown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tGoing forward, according to Cheeks, Paramount Skydance will be \u201cleaning into\u201d franchises like \u201cSpongeBob SquarePants\u201d and \u201cPaw Patrol\u201d (Nickelodeon); \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race\u201d (MTV); \u201cThe Ms. Pat Show\u201d (BET); and \u201cSouth Park\u201d and \u201cThe Daily Show\u201d (Comedy Central). At the same time, the team will be \u201ccontinuing to develop new IP across our studios and seeking new ways to amplify and connect with audiences,\u201d Cheeks wrote.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn 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\u00a0exited her post as head of communications for Paramount Media Networks and Showtime\/MTV Entertainment Studios<\/a> in August.<\/p>\n

\n\tLast week, Paramount TV Studios head Matt Thunell announced a restructuring of its leadership team<\/a> amid the mass layoffs.<\/p>\n

\n\tRead Cheeks\u2019 full memo:<\/p>\n

\n\tTeam,<\/p>\n

\n\tThank you for your resilience during this difficult time of transformation. Saying goodbye to valued colleagues is never easy, and your continued commitment speaks volumes.<\/p>\n

\n\tAs we move forward, I want to share our vision for the newly aligned TV Media division \u2013 a powerhouse of iconic brands and creative talent. This group includes CBS alongside BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and more.<\/p>\n

\n\tThese 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\u2019s audiences and tomorrow\u2019s possibilities.<\/p>\n

\n\tPurpose<\/p>\n

\n\tOur purpose is clear: to reinvent and strengthen our brands to build a stronger future that\u2019s rooted in exceptional storytelling across entertainment, news and sports. We\u2019ll celebrate each brand, while leaning into franchises, driving revenue, growing viewership and deepening engagement across platforms.<\/p>\n

\n\tOur 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\u2019S 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.<\/p>\n

\n\tThis 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\u2019s not working and give our teams agency to rethink legacy processes that no longer move the needle. Let\u2019s share expertise and work together because our success depends on how we show up for each other and for our audiences.<\/p>\n

\n\tLet\u2019s move forward with purpose, creativity and a shared commitment to shaping what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n

\n\tLeadership<\/p>\n

\n\tAs part of our new TV Media division, the Paramount cable brands will have a new structure with new leadership assigned as follows:<\/p>\n

Laurel Weir will lead programming for multiple brands including MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and other cable networks, and will oversee the Global Programming Acquisitions Group across TV Media.<\/p>\n

Nickelodeon:<\/p>\n

Jules Borkent will oversee Nickelodeon Kids & Family\u2019s business and strategy, working in partnership with key stakeholders to maximize the Nick brand.<\/p>\n

Ashley Kaplan and Alec Botnick will lead Nickelodeon\u2019s animation studio for digital, television and streaming, overseeing the brand\u2019s beloved series such as SPONGEBOB and PAW PATROL and developing new ones. They will also oversee animated development across the CBS, Comedy Central, and MTV brands for owned and third-party platforms.<\/p>\n

Comedy Central:
Ari Pearce will lead Comedy Central, including new comedy development and oversight of hit series like SOUTH PARK and THE DAILY SHOW.<\/p>\n

MTV:<\/p>\n

Sitarah Pendelton will lead all MTV series and specials including signature franchises like RUPAUL\u2019S DRAG RACE.<\/p>\n

Jeannie Scalzo will partner with Laurel Weir to lead the MTV business.<\/p>\n

Across the cable brands, Trevor Rose will lead talent and content strategy; and Nadja Webb will oversee all music initiatives, working closely with Laurel Weir, and will maintain oversight of Programming Operation and Business Affairs for BET.<\/p>\n

\n\tFinally, 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\u2019i (Content Engagement & Partnerships); and Laurel Weir (Strategic Insights & Research).<\/p>\n

\n\tWhat\u2019s Next<\/p>\n

\n\tI\u2019m working closely with our leadership team to refine our vision, priorities and goals for the path ahead. We\u2019ll share more as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

\n\tThank you for everything you do. I believe in this team and in what we\u2019re building as we shape the future of TV Media together.<\/p>\n

\n\tGeorge<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After Paramount Skydance\u2018s across-the-board layoffs last week, TV Media chair George Cheeks unveiled a new leadership structure for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":117832,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[156,83468,111,139,69,68338,437],"class_list":{"0":"post-117831","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tv","8":"tag-entertainment","9":"tag-george-cheeks","10":"tag-new-zealand","11":"tag-newzealand","12":"tag-nz","13":"tag-paramount-skydance","14":"tag-tv"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117831","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117831\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}