Skydance Consolidates TV Studios Under George Cheeks Ahead of Merger Close

Key points

• George Cheeks, currently Chair of TV Media at Paramount, will assume oversight of Warner Bros. Television and Paramount Television Studios in addition to his existing role over CBS Studios.
• The restructuring aligns with the broader Skydance leadership model, where Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg manage film studios, and Casey Bloys oversees streaming brands HBO Max and Paramount+.
• Channing Dungey (WBTV) and Matt Thunell (PTVS) will remain in their current roles but report directly to Cheeks, streamlining the executive hierarchy for CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz.
• The consolidation aims to resolve operational overlaps between WBTV and PTVS, particularly in the open streaming market, while maintaining distinct supply chains for CBS and their respective streamers.
• Cheeks’ expanded role includes oversight of cable brands on the WBD side, though Paramount and Warner Bros. must continue negotiating cable packages separately per a settlement with 12 state attorneys general.

Background

This move follows recent announcements that the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery entity will be rebranded as Skydance, with film leadership shifting to Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, and DC Studios retaining James Gunn and Peter Safran. The merger is set to close on October 6, 2026.

Why it matters

The consolidation of three major TV studios under a single executive signals a strategic push for operational efficiency and unified IP management within the new Skydance entity, potentially impacting future content development and distribution strategies across broadcast and streaming platforms.

What to watch

The merger is scheduled to close on October 6, 2026. Future developments may include further integration of the TV studios, similar to Disney’s six-year consolidation of Fox’s TV assets, and potential changes in broadcast development strategies as Warner Bros. Television becomes vertically integrated with CBS.