ViacomCBS has announced an enhanced content leadership structure for its global streaming services, appointing Tanya Giles as a centralised programming head to chart content strategy for Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
Effective immediately, it also sees each of ViacomCBS’ global content leaders elevated to oversee their respective genres within Paramount+.
Commenting on the development, Bob Bakish, president and CEO, ViacomCBS, said: “The strong launch and early months of Paramount+ have demonstrated the power and potential of our platform, as well as audiences’ appetite for a broad and diverse array of content, all in one place.
“The moves we are making today will accelerate that mission by putting ViacomCBS’ most powerful assets – world-class content, iconic brands, global infrastructure and expertise, and the best talent in the business today – behind our platforms as we pursue the global opportunity in streaming. Together, our leaders will ensure that we’re delivering to audiences the very best our streaming platforms have to offer, with must-watch content across every genre and market we operate in”.
Giles, currently general manager of MTV Entertainment Group, will become chief programming officer, streaming. In this newly created role, she will oversee and execute a holistic programming strategy for the global content offering across both Paramount+ and Pluto TV, maximising mix, prioritisation, timing and impact of ViacomCBS resources, franchises and brands to drive sustained audience acquisition and engagement. She will report to Tom Ryan, president and CEO, ViacomCBS streaming.
Meanwhile, in addition to their current roles, the following executives will take on expanded global responsibilities for creating the diverse mix of content – from originals to extensions of key franchises – that differentiates Paramount+:
• George Cheeks, president and CEO, CBS, will also serve as chief content officer, news & sports, Paramount+, extending the content from CBS News and CBS Sports to the super service.
• Jim Gianopulos, chairman and CEO, Paramount Pictures, will also serve as chief content officer, movies, Paramount+, bringing to bear the depth and breadth of filmmaking expertise at Paramount, one of the world’s pre-eminent film studios, to Paramount+.
• Bruce Gillmer, president of music, music talent, programming & events, will also serve as chief content officer, music, Paramount+, responsible for leveraging ViacomCBS’ global scale, unmatched music industry relationships and library of IP for Paramount+.
• Chris McCarthy, president, MTV Entertainment Group, will also serve as chief content officer, unscripted entertainment and adult animation, Paramount+, tasked with further unlocking and expanding ViacomCBS’ catalogue of global unscripted franchises and formats, as well as expanding adult animation IP for Paramount+.
• David Nevins, chairman and CEO, Showtime Networks, will also serve as chief content officer, scripted originals, Paramount+, responsible for building on Paramount+’s strong track record of scripted originals, including both dramas and comedies.
• Nicole Clemens will broaden her responsibilities as president, Paramount Television Studios (PTVS), to include president, Paramount+ original scripted series. Building on her current role overseeing PTVS, where she continues to report to Gianopulos, she now will lead original scripted content for Paramount+, reporting to Nevins.
• Brian Robbins, president, kids & family entertainment, will also serve as chief content officer, kids & family, Paramount+, responsible for growing the global portfolio of the live-action and animated kids & family programming – both episodic and film – on Paramount+, building on what is among the most popular content on the service.
As part of the realignment, Kelly Day, president of streaming and chief operating officer, ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), will work closely with Giles and ViacomCBS’ content leaders to ensure the company is executing against its global streaming strategy. She will be responsible for maximizing the global content slate, bringing ViacomCBS’ expansive and growing international content portfolio to Paramount+ services around the world, and continuing the rollout of Paramount+ in international markets. Day will continue to report to Tom Ryan and Raffaele Annecchino, president and CEO of VCNI.
Scott Mills will continue to oversee BET+ in his capacity as president, BET, reporting to Nevins.
Tom Ryan said, “Tanya is a stellar media executive who brings a deep familiarity with our brands and audiences, as well as an unmatched talent for harnessing data to make high-impact programming decisions. Our content leaders know their genres better than anyone and have been integral to building a strong slate for Paramount+ and growing its audience. Our new structure will enable us to tap into their collective expertise even more effectively, further cementing Paramount+ as a true super service that delivers the content audiences love, all in one place”.
