Skydance TV Co-President and Chief Content Officer George Cheeks has made the executive structure of his division official. In a memo to staff, Cheeks shared the specific titles of his direct reports, as well as how Skydance TV will now operate following the Warner Bros. merger. and Paramount.
“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 the head of Warner Bros. TV Group and combined cable networks Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery; David Stapf to head CBS Studios; and Matt Thunell at the head of Paramount TV Studios. Additionally, David Berson leads Skydance’s global sports group, including CBS Sports, TNT Sports and WBD Sports.
Additionally, Amy Reisenbach remains president of CBS Entertainment; Tom Cibrowski as CBS News chief operating officer; Byron Rubin as Chief Operating Officer; Laurel Weir overseeing research and programming knowledge; Mike Benson heads marketing; and Chris Ender as communications and publicity manager.
Channing Dungey, David Stapf, Matt Thunell
Getty/Skydance
The news is not a surprise; it was previously understood that the division heads reporting to him included the chairman/CEO of Warner Bros. TV Group and U.S. Networks Channing Dungey, CBS Studios President David Stapf and Paramount TV Studios President Matt Thunell. It had also previously been reported that Dungey – who had taken over oversight of the Warner Bros. networks. Discovery a year ago – would also be given oversight of the Paramount cable networks.
Alongside Cheeks, JB Perrette (formerly CEO/President of WBD’s Global Streaming and Gaming) serves as Co-President of Skydance TV, as well as Chief Business Officer. Perrette also holds these roles for streaming division Skydance DTC.
Prior to the merger, Cheeks most recently served as president of media for Paramount TV – a position he was given last year when Skydance first took over Paramount. Before that, Cheeks was one of three co-CEOs at Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) – and was the only one of that triumvirate to transition to the new company.
In a previous memo sent to the team after the deal closed, Cheeks explained how the divisions would be created, including Warner Bros. TV Group, CBS (and CBS Studios) and Paramount TV Studios. “This newly formed Skydance Television Group is an unrivaled blend of networks, studios, platforms and programming genres,” he said in the earlier note, highlighting Warner Bros. Television Studios. 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 cable portfolio. “There are too many notable shows to name individually, but one thing is clear: the breadth and quality of programming in this group is unmatched, covering some of the most watched, most acclaimed and most awarded shows in the industry,” he wrote at the time.
From: George Cheeks
HAS: All Skydance TV employees
Team,
As we look to the future, our priorities are clear: deliver quality storytelling, maximize the value of our programming, franchises and brands, and strengthen our connection with audiences. The excellence and scale of our entertainment, information and sports activities, combined with the talent and expertise of our organization, position us well for the future.
While each of us has a distinct role to play, our success will depend on working together at all levels, sharing our expertise and leveraging the full strength of our portfolio. I strongly believe that a collaborative culture drives 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 Television Studios
- Channing Dungey will continue to lead the Warner Bros. group. Television and its portfolio of scripted, unscripted animation studios. Warner Bros. Television Studios is home to the Emmy Award-winning series “The Pitt” and an impressive roster of acclaimed series. She will also oversee the combined Paramount and Warner Bros. cable slate. Discovery of over 50 brands such as HGTV, Food Network, TNT, BET and MTV. For cable channels outside the United States, Channing will report to me for programming and to JB Perrette for operations.
- David Stapf will continue to lead CBS Studioshome 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.” Watch now will operate as a label within CBS Studios.
- Matt Thunell supervises Paramount Television Studioswhich hosts premium series for streaming and broadcast, with hit franchises such as “Reacher,” its spinoff “Neagley” and the Taylor Sheridan universe spanning “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 led Skydance’s Global Sports Groupwith 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 outside the United States. Combined sports rights for the new division include NFL, UEFA Champions League, NHL, MLB, March Madness, PGA Tour, Masters, WNBA, NASCAR and college football, among others.
Entertainment
Amy Reisenbach led CBS Entertainmentcornerstone of our multi-platform strategy and home to the most-watched primetime television program 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 through CBS News’ broadcast, streaming and digital, while leveraging his deep experience in morning television to strengthen “CBS Mornings” and maintain the audience momentum of “CBS Evening News.”
Skydance TV
The following leaders will support our broader Skydance TV organization as we assemble and grow our group:
- Bryon Rubin will be our Chief Operating Officer (COO) working with all divisional leadership on strategic and operational matters while maintaining his leadership of CBS national syndication. Bryon will expand his remit to include oversight of the CBS TV Channels group, working closely with division president Jennifer Mitchell, who will also have a dotted line of reporting to me and be part of my Skydance TV SLT.
- Laurel Weir will oversee research and programming insights across broadcast, cable and studios for Skydance TV. She will work closely with creative and marketing leaders across all domains to help shape our strategy through a deep understanding of audience insights and consumer trends. Laurel will continue to oversee her content strategy, content planning and acquisition teams for the Paramount Cable Networks while we work on integration planning.
- Mike Benson will lead marketing across our entire portfolio, bringing together our talented teams to strengthen our brands, increase audience discovery, and curate and promote our programming launches across all forms of traditional and emerging media. Mike will have a dotted reporting line to Rebecca Mall, Director of Marketing at Skydance.
- Chris Ender will oversee all communications and advertising. He will be the spokesperson for Skydance TV and lead the best communications teams in each division who will shape our narrative, elevate the brands and programming, and help define the voice of our combined group. Chris will have a dotted line of reporting to Melissa Zukerman, Skydance’s Director of Communications, and will support JB Perrette on all Skydance TV business and operational matters.
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 are only at the beginning of this journey and process, but I am confident in the strength of this team and the extraordinary talents and capabilities of our company. As I said, the work to be done is important, as are the opportunities. Together, we will build on our strengths and shape an even stronger future.
Thank you for everything you do.
More to come.
George
Gn entert
