George Cheeks Lays Out New Structure Of CBS Studios & Paramount TV Studios: Centralizes Back-End Functions, “No Exclusive Lanes” & Eyes More Global Production

30.11.2022 - 23:35 / deadline.com

George Cheeks has outlined his vision for CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios.

It comes after Deadline broke the news that Paramount Global was undergoing its latest round of layoffs with the Paramount+ scripted originals team being folded into Paramount TV Studios.

The two studios will now centralize a number of its back-end functions for the first time installing leaders across finance, law, production, business affairs and casting.

However, Cheeks, who is President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS, and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports, Paramount+, wrote in a memo to staff, obtained by Deadline, that each studio is free to pursue all genres for all mediums. “There are no exclusive lanes,” he noted, adding that the two independently operated brands, which will have their own separate creative teams, will give the company balance “bolstered by streamlined support operations”.

The former NBC exec also added that he wants his studios to take “full advantage” of the Paramount Global ecosystem across broadcast, cable and streaming but also continue to sell to third-party platforms. Now that the international free-to-air networks are under his purview, he would also like more collaboration with its UK, Australia and Latin American team.

“The bottom line – we have two prestigious, major studios that are laser focused on being global, multi-platform and collaborative. And, we have the framework, resources, and platforms to be an attractive creative destination for anyone,” he said.

In finance, Eric Gray will be head of finance for both studios, continuing to report to Bryon Rubin, Chief Operating and Financial Officer for CBS. 

On the legal side, Kim Doneche will oversee matters for both studios and continue to report