Paramount TV Layoffs Impact CBS Entertainment, Paramount+, and MTV
Paramount has embarked on significant layoffs following its merger with Skydance. This move affects various television divisions, leading to extensive personnel cuts across the company.
Impact on CBS Entertainment and Paramount+
The layoffs have significantly impacted Paramount’s linear broadcast and cable networks. Several departments have seen personnel reductions, notably in:
- Marketing
- Communications/PR
- Business Affairs
- Programming
Executives affected include Teri Fleming, the executive vice president of marketing at Paramount Global Content Distribution. Additionally, CBS Entertainment experienced layoffs that targeted senior personnel. Among those let go were:
- Pam Soper, senior vice president of current programming
- Amanda Palley, senior vice president of current programming
Communications and Streaming Layoffs
The communications department faced substantial cuts, particularly in CBS’s New York team. Key exits included:
- Leslie Ryan, senior vice president of communications at CBS Media Ventures
- Jennifer Weingroff, senior vice president of communications at Paramount Global Content Distribution
In streaming, both Jeff Grossman, executive vice president of programming at Paramount+, and Patricia Kollappallil, senior vice president of corporate communications at the service, were laid off.
Effects on MTV and CMT
Paramount’s cable networks, especially MTV, endured significant layoffs. Once a thriving network, MTV has seen notable personnel changes, including:
- Wendy Plaut, senior vice president and head of music and celebrity talent
- Amanda Culkowski, vice president of music program development and documentaries
- Margaret Comeaux, senior vice president of music events and production at CMT
These layoffs come as Paramount transitions away from a previously vibrant talent division that focused on original music series. The company also announced around 100 layoffs within CBS News, which involved closing the Johannesburg bureau.
Future Implications
Approximately 1,000 employees have been laid off, with indications that another similar round of layoffs is anticipated, potentially focused on international operations. Many believe that domestic operations have reached a critical point, leading to what some insiders describe as a “bloodbath.”
Paramount Skydance’s chairman and CEO, David Ellison, communicated the necessity of these layoffs in a memo. He stated, “In some areas, we are addressing redundancies… Ultimately, these steps are necessary to position Paramount for long-term success.”
As Paramount continues to reshape its organizational structure, employees are left wondering how new roles and tasks will be assigned in both linear and streaming operations.
