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 understood that 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
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:
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
By: Michael Schneider