ViacomCBS Restructures With Emphasis On Streaming

ViacomCBS Inc. said it tapped MTV executive Tanya Giles as chief programming officer for streaming, part of a broader reorganization as the media company looks to shore up content for its Paramount+ and Pluto TV services.

The Wall Street Journal reports Giles, who currently serves as the general manager at the MTV Entertainment Group, will centralize programming decisions for the streaming services globally. Other top content executives will oversee portions of Paramount+ programming relevant to their areas of specialty, from music to reality TV.

Several big media companies, including Comcast Corp.’s NBCUniversal, Walt Disney Co. and AT&T Inc.’s WarnerMedia, have reorganized their ranks to give priority to streaming, which has rapidly become the core business priority across the industry. Most companies want to have a top executive who ensures streaming service will get a healthy share of the top TV and movie programming under development.

ViacomCBS rolled out its subscription Paramount+ service in the U.S. in March, and competes in a crowded field with incumbents like Netflix Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. and newcomers such as Disney+.

Under the company’s reorganization plan, CBS Chief Executive Officer and President George Cheeks will also assume the role of chief content officer of news and sports at Paramount+. Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures Chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos will serve as the content head of movies on the platform.

Bruce Gillmer, who runs ViacomCBS’s music, music talent, programming and events, will also take on the role of chief content officer of music at Paramount+, the company said. MTV Entertainment Group President Chris McCarthy will shepherd unscripted entertainment and adult animation content for Paramount+.

Showtime Networks’ Chairman and CEO David Nevins will build Scripted Originals content for Paramount+ while Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Television Studios, will be in charge of the platform’s Original Scripted Series.

Brian Robbins, who heads ViacomCBS’s kids and family entertainment unit, will focus on such content at Paramount+, the company said.