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☆ Paramount Lays Off 15 Percent of U.S. Employees
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | More About Benjamin Mullin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Paramount, the parent company of CBS, Nickelodeon and MTV, told its employees on Tuesday it was beginning a series of long-scheduled job cuts that would winnow its staff by roughly 15 percent in the United States. The company’s three co-chief executives said in an internal note that the cuts — which would be “incredibly hard” — were necessitated by shifts in the entertainment industry. The layoffs, which will affect thousands of employees, are the latest in a series of cutbacks by major media players. Discovery, the parent of CNN, TNT and HBO, has slashed its staff routinely in recent years as it pays down billions in debt. Disney laid off more than 100 employees in its TV division last month.

Persons: ”, Brian Robbins, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy Organizations: Paramount, CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Paramount Pictures, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, Warner Bros, CNN, TNT, HBO, Disney Locations: United States

☆ Paramount media empire agrees to merge with Skydance, ending Redstone control
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Jon Passantino | Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Paramount Global—the sprawling media empire behind CBS, MTV, and one of Hollywood’s most storied movie studios—has agreed to merge with technology scion David Ellison’s Skydance Media, ending years of speculation over the company’s fate. The complicated transaction will see Skydance first buy National Amusements, then merge with Paramount, valuing Skydance at $4.75 billion. The combined company will be helmed by Ellison as chief executive and former NBCUniversal chief Jeff Shell as president. The deal caps a tumultuous and protracted saga that began in December, with the two companies entering into exclusive negotiations in April, resulting in the ouster of longtime Paramount chief executive Bob Bakish. In the meantime, the company has been run by a triumvirate of leaders: Brian Robbins, chief executive of Paramount Pictures; Chris McCarthy, chief executive of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios; and George Cheeks, chief executive of CBS.

Persons: —, David Ellison’s Skydance, Ellison, Shari Redstone’s, Sumner Redstone, Jeff Shell, Bob Bakish, Brian Robbins, Chris McCarthy, George Cheeks, Robbins, “, ” Robbins, David Ellison, Larry Ellison, ” Redstone, Paramount’s Organizations: CNN, Paramount, CBS, MTV, David Ellison’s Skydance Media, Amusements, National, Paramount Pictures, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, Comedy Central, Netflix, BET, Sony Pictures, Apollo Global Management, Sony, Apollo, Redstone, Skydance Media

☆ Paramount+ to increase prices for its streaming plans
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The price increase takes effect on Aug. 20 for new customers for both plans. Existing Paramount+ with Showtime customers will see the price increase hit on or after Sept. 20. Paramount executives had said publicly on multiple occasions they see a lot of opportunities to increase the price of streaming services. Paramount said in April it had added 3.7 million Paramount+ subscribers during the first quarter, bringing the total to 71 million. The price increase comes after National Amusements earlier this month stopped discussions with Skydance on a proposed merger with Paramount.

Persons: —, Comcast's NBCUniversal, Peacock, Shari Redstone, David Ellison's Skydance, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Skydance didn't Organizations: Paramount, Showtime, Summer, NBC, Warner Bros . Discovery, National, CBS, Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Pictures, Comcast, CNBC Locations: NBCUniversal

Mario Anzuoni | ReutersNational Amusements stopped merger discussions between Paramount Global and Skydance this week — throwing into question what's next for the legacy media giant during a tumultuous period for the industry. Bob Bakish stepped down from the top post in April and was replaced by the so-called Office of the CEO: CBS CEO George Cheeks, Paramount Media Networks CEO Chris McCarthy and Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins. The deal had been awaiting signoff from Redstone, who owns National Amusements, the controlling shareholder of 77% of class A Paramount shares. National Amusements also voiced its support for Paramount's current leadership. In recent days, other potential bidders for National Amusements emerged, according to reports.

Persons: Mario Anzuoni, what's, Bob Bakish, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Jessica Reif, Ehrlich, Paramount's, Skydance, Redstone Organizations: Paramount Studios, Reuters National Amusements, Paramount Global, Paramount, CBS, Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Pictures, BofA Securities, CNBC, Amusements, RedBird Capital, KKR, Redstone, National Amusements, Apollo Global Management, Sony Locations: Los Angeles, Redstone

☆ Why Shari Redstone called off talks with David Ellison’s Skydance on Paramount deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

After weeks of endless speculation about the future of Paramount Global, and more than half a year of grueling negotiations, the heiress called off talks with David Ellison’s Skydance Media, astonishing the industry and raising questions about the future of her family-controlled media empire. Why Redstone ultimately vetoed the deal is now up for discussion. Chief among them was whether the deal should have been subject to approval from a majority of the minority shareholders. And tried they did over the last several months, with the negotiations claiming several high-profile casualties along the way. Over the course of the last few months, Bob Bakish was ousted as chief executive of Paramount Global and four directors resigned from the company’s board.

Persons: Shari Redstone, David Ellison’s Skydance, Sumner, Skydance, Ellison, Charles Phillips, “ Shari, Bob Bakish, ”, Brian Robbins, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, NAI Organizations: New York CNN, Paramount Global, Amusements Inc, CNN, Redstone, Redbird Capital, Paramount’s Office, Company’s, Directors, Paramount, “ Locations: New York

☆ National Amusements stops discussions with Skydance on Paramount deal, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

National Amusements has stopped talks with Skydance on a proposed merger with Paramount Global , CNBC's David Faber reported Tuesday. The deal had been awaiting signoff from Redstone, CNBC previously reported. She has approved of their ideas and leadership during their short tenure, CNBC previously reported. This is why it was no surprise when Paramount and Skydance agreed to merger terms earlier in June, CNBC reported. Under those terms, which were still being ironed out up until Tuesday, Redstone would have received $2 billion for National Amusements, CNBC reported.

Persons: Skydance, CNBC's David Faber, Shari Redstone, David Ellison's Skydance, Spokespeople, Redbird, It's, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Bob Bakish, Paramount's Organizations: Paramount Studios, Amusements, Paramount Global, Paramount, RedBird Capital, KKR, CNBC, National Amusements, Street, CBS, Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Pictures, Redstone, Apollo Global Management, Sony, Skydance Locations: Los Angeles , California, Redstone

The current leadership of Paramount Global presented a go-forward plan at the company's annual shareholder meeting Tuesday in the event a sale of the company doesn't happen. Redstone has been supportive of the Office of the CEO leadership team that has run the company since former CEO Bob Bakish stepped down in late April. The plan that Paramount Global shareholders are hearing on Tuesday will essentially serve as Redstone's alternate option if she chooses not to sell. "We'll be thoughtful with how we deploy capital, with our world-class content being the priority," said Robbins during the presentation Tuesday. On Tuesday, Robbins said the company has been "aggressively exploring all options" when it comes to partnerships with other streamers.

Persons: George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins —, —, David Ellison's, Shari Redstone, Bob Bakish, Robbins, Cheeks, McCarthy Organizations: Paramount, SAG, Paramount Global, CBS, Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Pictures, Media, RedBird Capital, KKR, CNBC, Amusements Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S

☆ Paramount and Skydance agree to terms of a merger deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Paramount and Skydance have agreed to terms of a merger, CNBC's David Faber reported Monday. A Paramount special committee and the buying consortium — David Ellison's Skydance, backed by private equity firms RedBird Capital and KKR — agreed to the terms. The deal currently calls for Redstone to receive $2 billion for National Amusements, Faber reported Monday. Following the close of the deal, Skydance and RedBird would own two-thirds of Paramount, and the class B shareholders would own the remaining third of the company, Faber reported. The deal will not require a vote from the shareholders, which was part of the negotiations, Faber reported.

Persons: Skydance, CNBC's David Faber, — David Ellison's Skydance, KKR —, Shari Redstone, Faber, RedBird, Paramount's, Bob Bakish, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins Organizations: Paramount, Columbia, —, RedBird Capital, KKR, Amusements, Apollo Global Management, Sony Pictures, National Amusements, Wall Street, CNBC, Apollo, Sony, Redstone, CBS, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Locations: Hollywood , California

☆ 'All That' star Lori Beth Denberg calls out Nickelodeon executives for silencing her when she raised concerns about Dan Schneider
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Olivia Singh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read preview"All That" star Lori Beth Denberg is continuing to speak out about her negative experience at Nickelodeon and demanding accountability from the executives who were silent when she flagged concerns about Dan Schneider. In the interview, Denberg detailed the power imbalance in her dynamic with Schneider, the head writer of "All That," and said that he put her in several uncomfortable and inappropriate situations. Real accountability is what I'm speaking up for, so it doesn't continue to happen," Denberg added, tagging the Instagram accounts for Robbins, Hecht, Paramount Pictures, and Nickelodeon. Matt Sayles/Invision/APFollowing the conversation with Robbins, Denberg said that she had a meeting with Hecht, the then-president of Nickelodeon Entertainment, in 2000. Denberg didn't tell Robbins or Hecht about her sexual encounters with Schneider but reiterated her concern for Bynes.

Persons: —, Lori Beth Denberg, Dan Schneider, Denberg, Brian Robbins, Albie Hecht, BRIAN ROBBINS, ALBIE HECHT, Kate Taylor, Schneider, Robbins, Hecht, Discovery's, Taylor, Amanda Bynes, Bynes, gaunt, Matt Sayles, Invision Organizations: Service, Nickelodeon, Business, Paramount Pictures, Robbins Productions, Galen, Nickelodeon Entertainment, Spike, Paramount Global Locations: Los Angeles

☆ 'All That' star Lori Beth Denberg says Nickelodeon's Dan Schneider showed her porn, initiated phone sex, and lashed out on set
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Kate Taylor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Schneider told Denberg that he should have been the one to have that conversation. "I feel like that is the first time he preyed on me," Denberg told Business Insider. "Nobody thinks it is their responsibility" to protect the people working at Nickelodeon, Denberg said. According to Denberg, Schneider would refuse to write her jokes for the segment until the last minute, forcing her to perform live without rehearsing. Denberg said she cheered up Bynes, then told Schneider that he couldn't change "the little girl's lines on the spot."

Persons: Lori Beth Denberg, Dan Schneider, Nickelodeon's, Denberg, Schneider, Drake, Josh, Jenny Kilgen, Lori Beth, it's, she's, Albie Hecht, Brian Robbins, Amanda Bynes, costars, Jeff Kravitz, Farah Alvin, Denberg's, It's, Robbins, Angelique Bates, Bates, Bynes, Dan, gaunt, Alvin, Amanda, Gioncarlo Valentine, Schneider hadn't, Schneider's, Hecht, SpongeBob, Kate Taylor, Mimi Meyer Organizations: Business, Nickelodeon, Schneider, BI, Robbins Productions, Nickelodeon's, Nickelodeon Entertainment, New York Times, Paramount, Paramount Global, Maxine Productions, Sony Pictures Locations: Orlando, Los Angeles, York

☆ Paramount axed its CEO, then held a bizarre earnings call where it played the 'Mission: Impossible' theme song over and over and refused to take questions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

No questions were taken and the call ended with the Mission: Impossible theme being played on loop. The company announced the departure of its president and CEO Bob Bakish before the call. AdvertisementParamount executives didn't take any questions during the company's earnings call on Monday, and ended up blasting the Mission: Impossible theme music on loop to their investors instead. The entertainment studio's first quarterly earnings call of the year took place after Paramount announced the ouster of its president and CEO Bob Bakish. The earnings call ran for only 8 minutes and 50 seconds, and the executives in attendance weren't open to taking questions.

Persons: Bob Bakish, —, didn't, Bakish, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Jaime Morris, Anna Nicolaou, Matthew Belloni, Alex Stedman, Shari Redstone, David Ellison's Skydance, David Ellison, Larry Ellison, There's, Paramount didn't Organizations: Paramount, Service, — CBS, Showtime, MTV Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Nickelodeon, Financial Times, Netflix, David Ellison's Skydance Media, Oracle, BI

☆ Paramount’s Chief Executive, Bob Bakish, Steps Down
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | Lauren Hirsch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Bob Bakish, the chief executive of Paramount, is stepping down effective immediately, the company announced on Monday, a stunning shake-up in the top ranks of the company as it considers a major merger. Mr. Bakish, 60, will be replaced by an “office of the C.E.O.” run by three executives: Brian Robbins, head of the Paramount movie studio; George Cheeks, chief executive of Paramount’s CBS division; and Chris McCarthy, chief executive of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios. Like many media companies, Paramount has struggled in recent years to get its streaming business off the ground as audiences for its cable channels have diminished. In recent months, the company has been in discussions to merge with Skydance, a media company run by the tech scion and Hollywood executive David Ellison. Shari Redstone, Paramount’s controlling shareholder, has already signed off on a potential deal for her stake, but the company’s directors have yet to reach an agreement for the whole company.

Persons: Bob Bakish, Bakish, Brian Robbins, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Bakish’s, David Ellison, Shari Redstone Organizations: Paramount, Paramount’s CBS, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios

☆ Paramount CEO Bob Bakish is officially out
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Paul Squire | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

CEO Bob Bakish will step down and be replaced by a trio of senior executives. David Ellison has been itching to strike a deal with Shari Redstone to buy Paramount. AdvertisementParamount announced Monday that its president and CEO Bob Bakish is out and will be replaced by a trio of execs. Bakish is stepping down from the entertainment studio as major shareholder Shari Redstone inches closer to a possible sale of her controlling stake in the company. In the statement, Shari Redstone (who also serves as the chair of the board) said she has "tremendous confidence" in the new leadership.

Persons: Bob Bakish, David Ellison, Shari Redstone, —, Shari, David Ellison's Skydance, Larry Elison, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Bakish, David Ellison's Organizations: Paramount, Service, Oracle, Bloomberg, — CBS, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount Media Networks, Nickelodeon, Board, Paramount Global, Hollywood

☆ Paramount says CEO Bob Bakish is stepping down, will be replaced by a trio of executives
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

David A. Grogan | CNBCParamount Global CEO Bob Bakish is stepping down, the company announced Monday, as merger negotiations with Skydance Media continue. Bakish climbed the corporate ladder after joining Viacom in 1997, until he became CEO of the company in 2016. Following the merger of Viacom and CBS, he became CEO of the combined company in 2019, which was later renamed as Paramount Global. Paramount will now be led by CBS president and CEO George Cheeks; Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks; and Brian Robbins, the head of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon. Paramount said it added 3.7 million Paramount+ subscribers during the quarter, bringing the total to 71 million.

Persons: Bob Bakish, David A, Bakish, George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, Brian Robbins, Naveen Chopra, Chopra, LSEG, Bob Marley Organizations: Viacom, Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, Grogan, CNBC Paramount Global, Skydance Media, CBS, Paramount Global, Paramount, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount Media Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, LSEG, Super, BET, MTV, NFL, TV Media, Hollywood Locations: Sun Valley , Idaho

☆ Paramount Global ousts chief Bob Bakish as future of media conglomerate hangs in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Paramount Global on Monday parted ways with its chief executive, Bob Bakish, in a seismic move that sent reverberations through the media conglomerate as it actively engages in acquisition talks with Skydance Media. In place of Bakish, who led the company since controlling shareholder Shari Redstone reunited Viacom and CBS Corporation under one roof in 2019, will be a triumvirate of leaders: Brian Robbins, chief executive of Paramount Pictures; Chris McCarthy, chief executive of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios; and George Cheeks, chief executive of CBS. In an attempt to stave off declining cable revenues, Paramount has spent billions of dollars building its own streaming service, Paramount+. Supporters of the Skydance deal hope that merging Paramount with the Ellison-led company will change its fortunes. Those shareholders have argued the deal primarily benefits Redstone and they have encouraged Paramount’s board to evaluate other options.

Persons: Bob Bakish, Bakish, Shari Redstone, Brian Robbins, Chris McCarthy, George Cheeks, Bob, ” Redstone, David Ellison, Larry Ellison, Ellison, Skydance, Jeff Shell Organizations: New, New York CNN, Paramount Global, Skydance Media, Viacom, CBS Corporation, Paramount Pictures, Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, CBS, Paramount, Skydance, CNN, BET, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy, Netflix Locations: New York, Redstone, Skydance

The performances of all four films – “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” “Saw X,” “The Creator” and “Dumb Money” – told a familiar story at the box office. “PAW Patrol,” from Paramount Pictures and Spin Master, had timing on its side. A third “PAW Patrol” movie has already been green-lit. Sony Pictures’ “Dumb Money,” expanded nationwide after two weeks of limited release but failed to ignite the kind of populist movement it irreverently dramatizes. Made for $30 million, “Dumb Money” wasn’t a massive bet.

Persons: ”, ” –, Brian Robbins, Chris Rock, Tobin Bell, James Wan’s, Gareth Edwards, John David Washington, “, Craig Gillespie, Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Seth Rogen, Anthony Ramos, Jonathan Demme, Comscore, “ Barbie Organizations: Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, Paramount, Lionsgate, New Regency, Disney’s, Century Studios, Sony Pictures, GameStop, Hollywood Locations: Venice

☆ 'Kenan & Kel' actor Kel Mitchell on the upcoming 'Good Burger' sequel, mentoring new child stars as 'Uncle Kel,' and the controversial producer Dan Schneider
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( William Antonelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Nickelodeon legend Kel Mitchell spoke to Insider this week about his career and the upcoming sequel to "Good Burger." The two also co-starred in "Good Burger," a 1997 comedy film that's become a cult classic among millennials and Gen Zers. Scholastic/PBS; Titmouse/Disney Television AnimationSpeaking of animated work, last year, Brian Robbins [director of "Good Burger" and Paramount Pictures CEO] said that he wanted to create a "Good Burger" animated series. I met a couple that said that [seeing "Good Burger"] was their first date, and then they got married, and now every anniversary they go and see "Good Burger" because it's part of their life, so it's so deep to me. Ex-Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider (top-left) posing for a photo with Kel Mitchell and the cast of the show "Game Shakers."

☆ Audiences want "big spectacle" from movies today, says Paramount Pictures CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAudiences want "big spectacle" from movies today, says Paramount Pictures CEOParamount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins joins CNBC's "Squawk Box" to discuss box office performance in 2022, and the outlook for the film and streaming industry.

☆ How Bryan Lourd became one of the most powerful people in the history of Hollywood
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Lourd, 61, isn't a household name, but he wields a stunning amount of influence in Hollywood. Lourd's Hollywood clients aren't just A-listers, they're A+-listers: Brad Pitt. An old-fashioned talent agent who loves discussing old movies and doesn't mind pointing out the flaws in his own clients' work, Lourd has become arguably the most powerful person in Hollywood. "He's one of the most powerful people in the history of Hollywood," said Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. But Lourd's clients are such bankable stars that it's equally important for Hollywood executives to be friendly with him as it is beneficial for Lourd and CAA.

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