Details of the new structure planned for Paramount Global after its acquisition by Skydance have emerged, with the news that South Park and its production studio South Park Digital Studios (a joint venture of Paramount and series creator Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Park County) will fall under the purview of Paramount Global co-CEO George Cheeks, who will change his title to Chair of TV Media post-merger.
In his new role, Cheeks will oversee Paramount’s broadcast and cable television businesses, including the CBS Network, CBS News & Stations, CBS Sports and CBS Studios, BET Studios, Nickelodeon TV Studios, See It Now Studios and Paramount Media Networks (MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, BET).
South Park‘s creators recently inked a five-year overall deal extension with Paramount valued at $1.5 billion. In addition to bringing the rating juggernaut to Paramount+ in the U.S. (formerly on HBO Max), the agreement includes 50 new episodes and all 26 previous seasons of the show. The show’s pot-stirring Season 27 launch on July 23 scored Comedy Central’s biggest premiere in more than 25 years.
Outgoing Paramount Global co-CEO Chris McCarthy helped craft the new South Park deal prior to his departure. The scripted programming operations he formerly headed into a new division dubbed Paramount TV Studios, overseen by Dana Goldberg (co-Chair of Paramount Pictures and Chair of Paramount Television) and projected to be run by Skydance TV President Matt Thunell.
Key roles post-merger will also be filled by David Ellison (CEO), Jeff Shell (President), Andy Gordon (Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Operating Officer), Josh Greenstein (Co-Chair of Paramount Pictures and Vice Chair of Platforms) and Cindy Holland (Chair of Direct-to-Consumer).
Skydance’s acquisition and merger with Paramount is set to close August 7.
[Source: Deadline]
