It comes after Deadline broke the news that Paramount Global was undergoing its latest round of layoffs with the Paramount+ scripted originals team being folded into Paramount TV Studios.The two studios will now centralize a number of its back-end functions for the first time installing leaders across finance, law, production, business affairs and casting.However, Cheeks, who is President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS, and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports, Paramount+, wrote in a memo to staff, obtained by Deadline, that each studio is free to pursue all genres for all mediums. “There are no exclusive lanes,” he noted, adding that the two independently operated brands, which will have their own separate creative teams, will give the company balance “bolstered by streamlined support operations”.The former NBC exec also added that he wants his studios to take “full advantage” of the Paramount Global ecosystem across broadcast, cable and streaming but also continue to sell to third-party platforms. Now that the international free-to-air networks are under his purview, he would also like more collaboration with its UK, Australia and Latin American team.“The bottom line – we have two prestigious, major studios that are laser focused on being global, multi-platform and collaborative. And, we have the framework, resources, and platforms to be an attractive creative destination for anyone,” he said.In finance, Eric Gray will be head of finance for both studios, continuing to report to Bryon Rubin, Chief Operating and Financial Officer for CBS.On the legal side, Kim Doneche will oversee matters for both studios and continue to report to Christa D’Alimonte, EVP and General Counsel for Paramount Global.In terms of production, Kevin Berg will lead CBS Studios and Liz Miller will oversee production for PTVS.Erika Kirkwood will oversee business affairs for PTVS with Allison Brightman leading for CBS Studios.Deborah Aquila will head casting for PTVS series and Meg Liberman for CBS Studios shows.“In each of these centralized areas, most of the team members under these department heads will begin to support and work across both CBS and PTVS projects, either immediately or over time. This is a new way of operating for many of us and will require healthy collaboration among leaders and teams,” Cheeks said,Jana Heldman is now head of development for Paramount TV Studios, reporting to President Nicole Clemens, with Jenna Santoianni, who was EVP Television Series and Head of Development, exiting.Deadline understands that the layoffs are affecting around 30 staff on the West Coast. “It hurts to say goodbye to teammates and friends who have contributed so much to our respective studios,” Cheeks added.
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