Paramount TV Layoffs Hit CBS Entertainment, Paramount+, MTV, and More
Paramount Initiates Major Layoffs Following Merger with Skydance
After the recent merger with Skydance, Paramount has made the decision to implement its first significant round of layoffs. The David Ellison regime has made cuts across its television divisions, particularly impacting the linear broadcast and cable networks. Departments such as marketing, communications/PR, business affairs, and programming have all seen a substantial reduction in personnel.
Variety has confirmed that several executives within Paramount have been affected by these layoffs. Teri Fleming, executive vice president and head of marketing for Paramount Global Content Distribution, is among those impacted. Additionally, executives in the current department at CBS Entertainment, including Pamela Soper and Amanda Palley, both senior vice presidents of current programming, have also been let go.
In the communications/PR department, CBS’ New York team has seen significant cuts, with the VP of entertainment communications being one of those exiting. Leslie Ryan, senior vice president of communications at CBS Media Ventures, and Jennifer Weingroff, senior VP of communications at Paramount Global Content Distribution, have also been laid off.
Within the streaming sector, Paramount+ executive vice president of programming Jeff Grossman and Patricia Kollappallil, senior vice president of corporate communications at the streamer, have both been let go.
The cable networks under Paramount have also been affected by the layoffs. MTV, in particular, has experienced layoffs within its communications and talent teams. Wendy Plaut, senior vice president and head of music & celebrity talent at MTV, is no longer with the company. Similarly, Amanda Culkowski, vice president of music program development and documentaries for MTV/Paramount+, has also been impacted.
Paramount’s decision to downsize these networks comes as the company continues to shift its focus away from original music series production, which was once a prominent feature of networks like MTV and CMT.
CBS News has also seen layoffs, with approximately 100 employees affected. The division is scaling back some of its units and canceling certain programs, including streaming companion shows to “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Mornings.” The Saturday morning program at CBS News has also been significantly reduced.
Overall, around 1,000 employees have been impacted by this round of layoffs, with another round of layoffs expected in the coming weeks. The second round is anticipated to focus more on international operations, as the recent layoffs primarily targeted domestic operations within Paramount Skydance.
“It’s a bloodbath,” one Paramount Skydance executive told Variety. The uncertainty surrounding the reallocation of remaining staff within the company is still ongoing, with new organizational structures expected to be developed in the coming weeks for both linear and streaming TV operations at Paramount Skydance.
In a memo to staff, Paramount Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison stated, “Ultimately, these steps are necessary to position Paramount for long-term success.” The company is making these difficult decisions to align with its evolving priorities and strengthen its focus on growth in the future.
