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Skydance TV co-chair and chief content officer George Cheeks formalized his division’s executive structure. In a memo to staff, Cheeks shared the specific titles for his direct reports, as well as how Skydance TV will
now operate post-Warner Bros. and Paramount merger.
“Reporting to me, these accomplished leaders will work together to advance our strategy and help shape the next chapter of our division,” Cheeks said in his memo, confirming his Skydance TV Studios trio: Channing Dungey as head of Warner Bros. TV Group and of the combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery cable networks; David Stapf as head of CBS Studios; and Matt Thunell as head of Paramount TV Studios. Also, David Berson leads Skydance’s Global Sports Group, including CBS Sports, TNT Sports and WBD Sports.
Also, Amy Reisenbach continues as CBS Entertainment president; Tom Cibrowski as CBS News operations head; Byron Rubin as chief operating officer; Laurel Weir overseeing research and programming insights; Mike Benson leading marketing; and Chris Ender as head of communications and publicity.
The news isn’t a surprise; it had previously been understoodthat divisional bosses who will report to him include Warner Bros. TV Group and U.S. networks chairman/CEO Channing Dungey, CBS Studios president David Stapf and Paramount TV Studios topper Matt Thunell. It had also already been reported that Dungey — who took on overseeing the Warner Bros. Discovery networks a year ago — would be given oversight of the Paramount cable networks as well.
Alongside Cheeks, JB Perrette (previously WBD’s CEO/president of global streaming and games) serves as co-chair of Skydance TV, as well as chief business officer. Perrette additionally holds those roles for the Skydance DTC streaming division.
Prior to the merger, Cheeks most recently served as Paramount TV media chair — a job he was given last year when Skydance first took control of Paramount. Prior to that, Cheeks was one of the three co-CEOs of Paramount Global (previously known as ViacomCBS) — and was the only one of that triumvirate to make the transition to the new company.
In a previous memo sent to the team after the deal closed, Cheeks spelled out how the divisions would be set up, including Warner Bros. TV Group, CBS (and CBS Studios) and Paramount TV Studios. “This newly formed Skydance Television group is an unmatched mix of networks, studios, platforms and programming genres,” he said in the previous memo, noting TV studios Warner Bros. Television Studios, CBS Studios and Paramount Television Studios; the CBS broadcast network; CBS Sports, TNT Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports; CBS News; CBS stations; and the cable portfolio. “There are too many standout shows to name individually, but one thing is clear: the breadth and quality of programming across this group is unrivaled, spanning some of the most watched, most acclaimed and most award-winning in the industry,” he wrote at the time.
From: George Cheeks
To: All Skydance TV Employees
Team,
As we look to the future, our priorities are clear: deliver great storytelling, maximize the value of our programming, franchises and brands and strengthen our connection with audiences. The excellence and scale of our entertainment, news and sports businesses, combined with the talent and expertise across our organization, position us well for the road ahead.
While each of us has a distinct role to play, our success will depend on all of us working together at every level, sharing expertise and leveraging the full strength of our portfolio. I’m a firm believer that a collaborative culture generates strong creative and business results.
Today, I’m excited to announce the Skydance TV leadership team. Reporting to me, these accomplished leaders will work together to advance our strategy and help shape the next chapter of our division.
Skydance TV Studios
- Channing Dungey will continue to lead the Warner Bros. Television Group and its portfolio of scripted, unscripted and animation studios. Warner Bros. TV Studios is home to the Emmy Award-winning series ‘The Pitt’ and an impressive slate of acclaimed series. She will also oversee the combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery cable roster of 50+ brands such as HGTV, Food Network, TNT, BET and MTV. For cable channels outside the U.S., Channing will report to me for programming and to JB Perrette for operations.
- David Stapf will continue to lead CBS Studios, which is home to ‘NCIS,’ the world’s #1 television franchise, including the recently launched ‘NCIS: New York,’ the #1 new series of the broadcast season. The Studio also produces hits such as ‘Sheriff Country’ and popular streaming series like “Little House on the Prairie” and “Murderbot.” See It Now Studios will operate as a label within CBS Studios.
- Matt Thunell oversees Paramount Television Studios, home to premium series for streaming and broadcast, with blockbuster franchises including ‘Reacher,’ its spin-off ‘Neagley’ and the Taylor Sheridan universe that spans ‘Dutton Ranch,’ ‘Landman’ and ‘Lioness’ on Paramount+ and ‘Marshals’ on CBS.
- Skydance Sports Entertainment will be part of the Skydance TV Studios Group with details to follow.
Global Sports Group
David Berson leads Skydance’s Global Sports Group, with oversight of our live sports portfolio, led by CBS Sports, TNT Sports and WBD Sports, across all platforms and in partnership with JB and the International team for outside the U.S. Combined sports rights for the new division include the NFL, UEFA Champions League, NHL, MLB, March Madness, PGA Tour, The Masters, WNBA, NASCAR and college football, among many others.
Entertainment
Amy Reisenbach leads CBS Entertainment, a cornerstone of our multiplatform strategy and home to the most-watched primetime schedule on television that consistently delivers the biggest new hits year after year – including this season’s Rotten Tomatoes 100% Certified Fresh drama ‘Cupertino.’
News
Tom Cibrowski will continue to oversee operations across CBS News’ broadcast, streaming and digital businesses, while leaning into his deep experience in morning television to bolster ‘CBS Mornings,’ and sustain the ratings momentum at ‘CBS Evening News.’
Skydance TV
The following leaders will support our broader Skydance TV organization as we bring together and grow our group:
- Bryon Rubin will be our Chief Operating Officer (COO) working with all divisional leaders on strategic and operational matters while maintaining his leadership of CBS’ domestic syndication. Bryon will expand his remit to include oversight of the CBS Television Stations group, working closely with division president Jennifer Mitchell, who will also have a dotted reporting line into me and will be part of my Skydance TV SLT.
- Laurel Weir will oversee research and programming insights across Skydance TV broadcast, cable and studios. She will work closely with creative and marketing leaders in all areas to help shape our strategy through a deep understanding of audience insights and consumption trends. Laurel will continue to oversee her content strategy, scheduling and content acquisitions teams for the Paramount cable networks while we work through integration planning.
- Mike Benson will lead marketing across our portfolio, bringing our talented teams together to strengthen our brands, elevate audience discovery and eventize and promote our programming launches through all forms of traditional and emerging media. Mike will have a dotted reporting line to Rebecca Mall, Chief Marketing Officer, Skydance.
- Chris Ender will oversee all communications and publicity. He will serve as the spokesperson for Skydance TV and lead best-in-class comms teams in each division that will shape our narrative, elevate brands and programming and help define the voice of our combined group. Chris will have a dotted reporting line to Melissa Zukerman, Chief Communications Officer, Skydance, and support JB Perrette on any Skydance TV business and operations topics.
What happens next
I know many of you have questions about our structure and what comes next. We will continue to share more information when possible.
We’re still early in this journey and process, but I’m confident in the strength of this team and in the extraordinary talent and capabilities across our business. As I’ve said, the work ahead is significant, and so is the opportunity. Together, we’ll build on our strengths and shape an even stronger future.
Thank you for everything you do.
More to come.
George
