George Cheeks Teases Skydance TV Strategy In Memo To Staff, Exalts CBS, Sports & News

George Cheeks, who has a shiny new role in the Skydance corporation, called the first day of the combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery the “start of a new chapter”.

In a memo to staff, Cheeks, who is now Co-Chair and Chief Content Officer, Skydance TV, teased the strategy of the new division that now includes CBS, Warner Bros. Television Studios, CBS Studios and Paramount Television Studios, CBS News, CBS Sports, TNT Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.

“By bringing together Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, we’ve assembled a remarkable collection of television brands, networks and studios, backed by some of the most talented teams in the industry,” he wrote.

Cheeks did not particularly go into detail on the new structure and his direct reports in the note, but Deadline revealed a few days ago that Channing Dungey, who was Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros Television Group and US Networks, will now also oversee the Paramount cable networks such as MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET as well as VH1, Paramount Network, TV Land, CMT, Pop TV and Logo TV.

The former NBCUniversal exec, who is also in charge of CBS Studios, run by David Stapf, and Skydance TV, run by Matt Thunell, called the Skydance Television group an “unmatched mix of networks, studios, platforms and programming genres.”

He said that the TV studios, which will remain separate, for now, at least, will continue to “create franchises, premium originals and unscripted hits that entertain viewers of all ages and interests”.

He also lauded CBS, which he said “remains a cornerstone”. He praised the sports operations, which will now be run by CBS Sports boss David Berson, with TNT Sports chief Luis Silberwasser exiting.

Cheeks also called CBS News, run by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, “one of the most important brands in journalism, delivering national and worldwide news across broadcast, streaming and digital”.

The cable side now features more than 50 channels. “There are too many standout shows to name individually, but one thing is clear: the breadth and quality of programming across this group is unrivaled, spanning some of the most watched, most acclaimed and most award-winning in the industry,” he added.

Cheeks admitted that staff is eager to hear more about the leadership, structure and strategy and said that more details will be shared soon.

“This is a moment of transition. With that comes uncertainty. The stress of this is not lost on me. Expect to hear more on our structure and priorities in the weeks ahead,” he wrote. “The work ahead is significant, and so is the opportunity. I am energized by the possibilities. Together, we’ll build on our collective strengths to create an even stronger future.”