Paramount has begun its first major layoffs since its merger with Skydance, with President David Ellison’s government cutting a number of executive positions across its television division. Paramount’s linear broadcast and cable networks were hit hard, with significant layoffs in marketing, communications/PR, sales, and programming departments.
Variety confirmed that the cuts affected Terry Fleming, executive vice president and head of marketing for Paramount Global Content Distribution. Several executives from CBS Entertainment’s current division were also fired. That includes Pamela Soper and Amanda Paley, both former senior vice presidents of programming.
In the communications/PR area, CBS’ New York team took a big hit. Among those retiring is the vice president of entertainment communications. Also fired were Leslie Ryan, senior vice president of communications at CBS Media Ventures, and Jennifer Weingroff, senior vice president of communications at Paramount Global Content Distribution.
In the streaming division, Jeff Grossman, Paramount+’s executive vice president of programming, was fired, as was Patricia Kolaparil, the streamer’s senior vice president of corporate communications. Also departing is Ari Avishay, senior VP of global content marketing, who led Paramount+’s international brand, content, social and partner marketing teams.
The cable network within Paramount has also been hit hard. MTV, already a shell of its former powerhouse, has seen a number of layoffs within its communications and talent teams. Wendy Prout, MTV’s senior vice president and head of music and celebrity talent, has passed away. Similarly, Amanda Karkowski, MTV/Paramount+’s vice president of music programming development and documentaries, has also resigned.
Amanda Kalkowski, MTV/Paramount+’s vice president of music program development and documentaries, and CMT’s Margaret Comeau are also influenced. Mr. Comeau most recently served as Senior Vice President of Music Events and Production at Country Music Network.
The cuts to networks like MTV and CMT come as Paramount continues to eliminate its once-vibrant talent division, at a time when those networks were more focused on producing original music series.
As Variety previously reported, CBS News has confirmed about 100 layoffs, including the closure of the CBS News bureau in Johannesburg, South Africa. The division is also cutting back on some divisions and discontinuing some programming, including the streaming distribution of “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Morning” affiliates. CBS News’ Saturday morning programming was also largely dismantled.
This round of layoffs affects approximately 1,000 employees, with approximately 1,000 additional employees expected to be laid off in the coming weeks. Wednesday’s layoffs slashed many of Paramount Skydance’s domestic operations, so the second wave is thought to be more focused on international operations.
“It’s a disaster,” one Paramount Skydance executive told Variety on Wednesday. “I don’t know who will get the job.”
As Wednesday passed, there was still a lot of uncertainty about how remaining staff would be redeployed within the company. A new organizational structure is expected to be developed in the coming weeks for both Paramount Skydance’s linear and streaming television businesses.
Ellison, Paramount Skydance’s chairman and CEO, sent a memo to staff on Wednesday regarding the layoffs, which read in part:
“In some areas, we are addressing redundancies that have occurred across the organization. In other areas, we are phasing out roles that no longer align with our evolving priorities and new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth. Ultimately, these actions are necessary for Paramount’s long-term success.”
