Bloys Consolidates Skydance Streaming Leadership, Wiseman Exits Paramount+

Key points

• Casey Bloys announced a new content leadership team for Skydance DTC, retaining all core HBO executives including Francesca Orsi, Amy Gravitt, and Sarah Aubrey.
• Jane Wiseman, EVP and Head of Originals at Paramount+, has departed following the exit of her former boss Cindy Holland.
• Sarah Aubrey, previously head of HBO Max originals, now oversees Paramount+, Max Originals, and International Programming.
• Glenn Whitehead has been named President and COO of both HBO and Paramount+, overseeing business affairs, production, and operations.
• Francesca Orsi has been promoted to President of HBO Drama Series and Films, with an expanded role in determining which projects best embody the HBO brand.
• Bloys stated that HBO Max and Paramount+ will continue to operate independently with separate slates until they are ready to merge, a process expected to take one to two years.

Background

This restructuring follows the $110 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which closed earlier this month. Cindy Holland, who had revitalized Paramount+ under the previous ownership, resigned as chairman of direct-to-consumer in late September, clearing the path for Bloys to lead the combined streaming division. The move resolves a leadership impasse where neither Holland nor Bloys would report to the other, aligning with David Ellison’s priority to preserve the HBO brand as a core asset of the acquisition.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and Deadline emphasize the retention of the existing HBO executive team as a signal of stability for the marquee brand, noting that Bloys’ new structure largely keeps the HBO and HBO Max hierarchy intact. C21media highlights the strategic decision to keep the two platforms separate in the short term to maintain momentum, while preparing for a future integration. All sources agree that Wiseman’s departure is a direct consequence of the leadership transition, with Bloys praising her work on the development slate despite her exit. Variety notes that Wiseman had expressed willingness to stay, but the new structure did not accommodate her role.

Why it matters

The consolidation of streaming leadership under Bloys signals a unified strategy for Skydance’s direct-to-consumer division, prioritizing the HBO brand while integrating Paramount+ into the broader ecosystem. The retention of key executives like Aubrey and Orsi suggests a focus on maintaining creative continuity and operational efficiency during the transition. The planned merger of the two platforms within one to two years will likely reshape content distribution and production priorities for both services.

What to watch

Sarah Aubrey will work closely with Bloys and Skydance leadership to align Paramount+ with HBO Max, while Glenn Whitehead will oversee operations across both platforms. The two streaming services will continue to operate independently with separate slates until the merger is complete. Bloys has asked his new team to reach out to their staff to ensure a smooth transition, and the company will likely announce further structural changes as the integration progresses.