Brian Robbins Calls Paramount-Skydance Merger 'Bittersweet'
variety.com
Brian Robbins is reflecting on his time at Paramount amid his exit following the Skydance merger.

Variety reports that “Brian Robbins Calls Paramount-Skydance Merger ‘Bittersweet’ in Memo to Staff Amid His Exit as Co-CEO”

David Ellison, the founder of Skydance, will become chairman and CEO of Paramount. Andy Gordon, who leads the West Coast office of RedBird Capital Partners, is set to take the role of chief operating officer and chief strategic officer. RedBird teamed with Skydance to acquire Paramount Global for $8.5 billion.

Looking at how Paramount, since 2021, has failed to deliver on a new Star Trek movie, arguably wound down three successful shows prematurely, it’s difficult to see that this leadership team has done well by the franchise.

Looking at the apparent expeditious compromises Paramount leadership and Shari Redstone were willing to make to clear the way for the sale, I’m willing to look forward to see what comes next.

  • StillPaisleyCat@startrek.websiteOPEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    I’m wondering about the information that one of Co-CEOs is staying on in another role. Can you provide a source?

    This Variety article says:

    Tom Ryan, president and CEO of Paramount Streaming, and Mike Ireland, president of Paramount Motion Picture group, also stepped down this week.

    • Value Subtracted@startrek.websiteMEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      For sure - the remaining former co-CEO is George Cheeks, who will be “Chair of TV Media.”

      His focus is supposed to be focused on linear TV, but Star Trek remains under his watch for now (though the article says, “the decisions are expected to be made on a case-by-case basis, with [Paramount Television co-chair Dana] Goldberg and Cheeks currently in discussions about where the different pieces would land.”

      Since the deal officially closes tomorrow, and today was mostly focused on the exits, I would imagine we’re going to start seeing news about the future plans soon.

      Edit: And if Cheeks sounds familiar, it may be because his name is amongst those on the wall in the recent Starfleet Academy trailer.

      • StillPaisleyCat@startrek.websiteOPEnglish
        1·
        2 days ago

        Given Ellison was a producer on Into Darkness, and has recurrently cited Star Trek in the listings of legacy properties in documents related to the merger, I expect that the CEO will micromanage the franchise for good or ill.

        Beyond the fact that I don’t see Cheeks or Goldberg staying more than 18 months, based on typical merger transitions, I can’t see Ellison leaving Star Trek in his management.

        • Value Subtracted@startrek.websiteMEnglish
          2·
          2 days ago

          Goldberg is coming over from Skydance, where she’s been since the company was founded in 2010. I don’t think she’ll be going anywhere.

          As for Cheeks…I guess it’s a vote of confidence that he’s staying at all, but being in charge of linear TV in 2025 seems like a pretty thankless task.

          In all honesty, if I were calling the shots, I’d probably move Trek away from CBS Studios and over to Paramount Television. It makes more sense in terms of the divisions’ mission statements, and Paramount TV is under the same leadership as Paramount Pictures, which could make it easier to coordinate a feature film with whatever’s going on on the TV side.

          The downside to that is losing Cheeks, who seems to have done right by Star Trek. Instead it would be overseen by Goldberg and Matt Thunell, who was President of Television at Skydance. I have no reason to believe either of them would be bad for the franchise, but…there’s always a risk when you’re leaving the devil you know in favour of one that you don’t.