Paramount TV media president George Cheeks, whose domain includes all of CBS as well as the Paramount cable networks, is expected to join the newly merged Paramount-Warner Bros. It is said to be under expanded oversight at its launch (which will be called “Skydance,” the company announced Friday).
Skydance is not commenting, but Cheeks is seen as a powerful lieutenant who has overseen Paramount-run TV properties since Skydance took control of the company last August. Before that, Cheeks was one of three co-CEOs of Paramount Global and the only one from that trio to transition to the new company.
Speculation and rumors about how the structure on the TV network and studio side will operate have been intense over the past few days, given how the broadcast structure at the merged company is unraveling (with HBO boss Casey Bloys at the top and Paramount’s direct-to-consumer president Cindy Holland leaving).
Many of the questions in the more traditional Hollywood world of TV networks and studios, which are still a major source of revenue, revolve around Skydance chairman David Ellison’s move to Warner Bros. TV Group and WBD US Networks president/CEO Channing focused on what roles he might have in mind for Dungey and Cheeks. Both executives are well-liked and respected, and both own massive domains of both studios and networks.
One scenario floating around is that Cheeks could potentially oversee all of the combined company’s vast TV assets, but so far there’s been no firm confirmation and the final structure isn’t expected to be announced until next week.
Warner Bros. All eyes will be on which role Ellison chooses for Dungey, whose tenure at the TV Group continues to be hugely successful. Under Dungey’s direction, the studio produces more than 80 original series for more than 20 platforms, including HBO, HBO Max and others, with series including “Ted Lasso,” “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bachelor” series, “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” “The Pitt,” “Running Point,” “Shrinking,” “Rooster,” “The Voice” and the upcoming “Harry Potter” series. So far this year, the episode has received 13 new series orders and 13 series renewals, while “The Pitt” has picked up six Emmys, including a second for outstanding drama.
Dungey also assumed oversight of WBD’s USA Networks in 2025, including Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, Cartoon Network, Cooking Channel, HLN, OWN, Science Channel, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, Tru TV and Turner Classic Movies.
When Diversity When he spoke to Dungey last month, he said he met Ellison in more of a “getting to know you” environment. Beyond that, he expressed his desire to stay with the company post-merger: “I love my team at Warner Bros. Television Group. I love our programming, our talent. I’ve also been very happy with my role on the US networks, which is something I didn’t see coming almost two years ago. The best-case scenario for me is something that allows me to continue to play in both of those areas.”
Among the possible setups voiced by observers was the idea of splitting oversight between networks and studios. But if Cheeks takes control of the entire TV business, the biggest question will be whether Dungey will stay and report to him. Insiders say the two have a good rapport; especially Warner Bros. That’s because TV has been a major supplier of series to CBS over the years – including the hit Chuck Lorre comedies that aired on the Eye.
Beyond that, Warner Bros. The question also remains of how to integrate TV (led by president Brett Paul and head of creative affairs Clancy Collins White), CBS Studios (led by president David Stapf) and Paramount TV Studios (led by Matt Thunell).
CBS Studios is also a large organization that has produced more than 60 series; Paramount TV Studios has a long list of shows, including Taylor Sheridan shows.
Currently, Stapf and Thunell report to Cheeks, while Paul and Collins White report to Dungey. Warner Bros. TV could be a scenario where CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios continue as separate companies.
Cheeks was previously chairman and CEO of CBS and joined Paramount in March 2020. This represented his second assignment here; He first joined MTV Networks (then part of Viacom) in 1998 and later held roles such as vice president of business affairs and general counsel of Viacom Music and Entertainment Groups.
Cheeks then moved to NBC in 2012 as president of business operations and late-night programming, before becoming co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and later executive vice president of NBCUniversal Content Studios.
Deadline was first to report Cheeks’ potential new role at Skydance.