Skydance has put its television and streaming distribution business under two shared leaders, a move that shows how the newly combined Paramount-WBD company plans to manage its content partnerships.
Two co-heads take over a large portfolio
According to a Nov. 3 internal memo from Ray Hopkins, president of distribution, Sarah Bergman and Mickey Carter will both hold the title of EVP of distribution. Bergman, an HBO veteran who most recently led WBD’s networks and streaming distribution, and Carter, formerly Paramount’s EVP of distribution, will split responsibility for negotiating distribution agreements and managing partner relationships. Hopkins reports to JB Perrette, co-chair and chief business officer of Skydance TV and Skydance Direct-to-Consumer.
The combined distribution team handles deals for CBS owned-and-operated stations, 55 basic cable networks, Paramount+, HBO Max, Discovery+, Pluto TV and more than 100 FAST channels.
Who’s in and who’s out
Eight executives from WBD, CBS, Paramount and Showtime are departing as the new structure takes shape. They include distribution strategy, finance, legal, partner marketing, network distribution, CBS affiliate sales and affiliate relations, and Showtime distribution leaders. Jeff Cross, previously WBD’s EVP for legal distribution, will remain as a senior adviser to the distribution business.
Hopkins also named the rest of the leadership team:
- Brad Shipley, EVP of business development and strategy, will oversee strategy, Pluto TV and FAST distribution, advanced advertising partnerships, and analytics, and will be distribution lead for Skydance Global Sports Group.
- Patrick Cavanaugh, EVP and CFO of distribution finance, will lead economics for linear and streaming negotiations.
- Rick Baker, EVP and deputy general counsel, will oversee business and legal affairs across linear and streaming.
- Joe Bahr, Andrew Borak, Bob Aguanno and John Bagwell will lead partner operations, combined distribution marketing, CBS affiliate relations and station-group contract negotiations respectively.
Why it matters
With one team negotiating across legacy Paramount and WBD assets, platform partners and pay-TV operators now face a single, larger counterparty for carriage, streaming and FAST deals. That centralisation gives Skydance more leverage but also raises execution risk as the company integrates two complex distribution stacks.
The reorg is part of a broader cost effort. Skydance executives have targeted $6 billion in annual cost savings from the Paramount-WBD combination, and mass layoffs are expected before the end of this year. An Oct. 26 companywide memo from David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz said eligible employees are being offered voluntary buyouts. Scott Miller, previously WBD’s president of networks and streaming distribution, has exited.
What to watch next
Media planners and platform partners should track how legacy CBS affiliate agreements and FAST channel carriage get renegotiated under the new structure. The appointment of a single business-development lead for Pluto TV, advanced advertising and analytics also suggests FAST and ad-supported distribution will be a priority. With eight executives leaving and two co-heads splitting responsibilities, account coverage will shift quickly in the next quarter.
Source: Variety
