There were two main rounds of layoffs at Paramount International this yr, with Paramount Tv Studios as a number one goal in each. After its workforce was once gutted within the February 13 cuts, as a part of these days’s discounts, the department is being shuttered altogether. It’s going to stop operations after 11 years on the finish of this week. Paramount TV Studios President Nicole Clemens and CBS President and CEO George Cheeks, who oversees the department, introduced the verdict in separate memos (You’ll learn each underneath.)
All present PTVS sequence and construction tasks will probably be folded into CBS Studios. It’s unclear whether or not any PTVS will transition as neatly.
“To be transparent, this isn’t a call in response to how PTVS carried out. This transfer is the results of important adjustments within the TV and streaming market and the want to streamline our corporate,” Cheeks mentioned. “Underneath Nicole’s management, this studio persistently punched above its weight in attracting best storytellers and stars to create best-in-class sequence. I need to thank each PTVS worker for shepherding a slate of displays that helped usher Paramount into the streaming generation.”
Headed into the present wave of layoffs that may affect 15% of Paramount International’s U.S. group of workers over the following couple of months, there were chatter about Paramount TV Studios as a possible casualty following a string of downsizing/consolidation strikes since CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios had been put in combination underneath Cheeks’ purview within the fall of 2022.
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Each Cheeks and Clemens attempted to soothe fears on the time by means of assuring PTVS team of workers that the department would stay impartial from the bigger CBS Studios as the 2 mixed improve operations by means of centralizing finance, regulation, manufacturing and casting. The similar yr, Paramount TV Studios absorbed Paramount+’s scripted originals workforce.
In the latest spherical of layoffs in February, PTVS consolidated construction and present underneath Head of Building Jana Helman, with a slew of senior programming executives leaving. It additionally dissolved/downsized communications, advertising and post-production which are actually treated by means of CBS Studios. Previous to that, Clemens published that the studio was once not going to supply restricted sequence except for for third-party patrons.
Additionally in all probability factoring into the verdict to close down PTVS is Paramount International’s pending merger with Skydance whose tv department could be very an identical in scope and output to PTVS. The 2 firms have collaborated on such sequence as Reacher, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and the approaching Move.
Different notable sequence produced by means of PTVS over time come with 13 Causes Why, The Alienist, Station 11, Time Bandits, and The Spiderwick Chronicles.
Hypothesis about CBS Studios and Paramount TV Studios combining has in reality been round because the 2019 CBS-Viacom merger was once introduced. Introduced by means of Paramount Footage’ Brad Gray in 2013, Paramount TV Studios has been the smaller of the 2 and its quantity was once impacted when Paramount+ pared down its scripted originals ramp-up plans to stem streaming losses. The studio endured to promote to out of doors platforms.
In her word to team of workers, Clemens, who joined PTVS in 2018, mirrored at the label’s legacy.
“During the last 11 years, PTVS has weathered apparently insurmountable hindrances via a mix of energy, resolution, and unwavering dedication,” she mentioned. “We met those demanding situations with unbelievable resilience, creativity, and keenness for what we do, and I may no longer be prouder of our workforce. We’ve additionally had the privilege to collaborate with one of the most maximum good inventive ability within the business to lend a hand inform unbelievable tales observed world wide, entertaining and shaping tradition.”
Listed here are the 2 memos:
Observe from Nicole Clemens: President, Paramount Tv Studios
Expensive PTVS Circle of relatives,As you’re all mindful, Paramount International has made the tricky determination to near Paramount Tv Studios as a part of the corporate’s broader restructuring plans. This has been a difficult and transformative time for all the business, and unfortunately, our studio isn’t immune.During the last 11 years, PTVS has weathered apparently insurmountable hindrances via a mix of energy, resolution, and unwavering dedication. We met those demanding situations with unbelievable resilience, creativity, and keenness for what we do, and I may no longer be prouder of our workforce. We’ve additionally had the privilege to collaborate with one of the most maximum good inventive ability within the business to lend a hand inform unbelievable tales observed world wide, entertaining and shaping tradition.Even supposing Paramount Tv Studios is finishing, our ethos will continue to exist in displays that may proceed to be loved by means of international audiences for years yet to come. We’ve cemented our legacy by means of shepherding one of the most maximum influential, award-winning, and severely acclaimed displays within the streaming generation with sequence like “13 Causes Why,” “The Be offering,” “Protecting Jacob,” “The Alienist,” “The Haunting of Hill Space,” “Station 11,” “Time Bandits,” and plenty of extra. Now we have damaged streaming platform data with “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” “Reacher,” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles.” Our upcoming displays, “Move,” “Sooner than,” and “Murderbot,” are positive to enroll in the ranks of the ones hits.This has been essentially the most formative bankruptcy in my occupation, and that’s principally because of the outstanding colleagues I’ve had the glory to guide and be told from each day. Thanks for supporting me, inspiring me, and giggling with me for the closing six years — I wouldn’t have sought after to be within the trenches with any individual else.I need to thank George Cheeks for his management and improve via all of it. There’ll definitely be some tears as we transfer on, however this trade is a marathon, and I’m sure that we can move paths, if no longer paintings in combination, once more.“Steadily whilst you assume you’re on the finish of one thing, you’re initially of one thing else.” – Fred RogersWith heartfelt gratitude,Nicole
Observe from George Cheeks: Co-CEO, Paramount International and President & CEO, CBS
CBS Crew,As you noticed from the e-mail Brian, Chris and I despatched previous, this can be a very tricky day at Paramount International. I’m attaining out to proportion that these days’s information sadly affects CBS, together with considered one of our studios.A short while in the past, we knowledgeable the workforce at Paramount Tv Studios (PTVS) that the studio will stop operations on the finish of the week. To be transparent, this isn’t a call in response to how PTVS carried out. This transfer is the results of important adjustments within the TV and streaming market and the want to streamline our corporate.I need to thank PTVS President Nicole Clemens and the gifted workforce she constructed for the numerous signature hits they produced. Underneath Nicole’s management, this studio persistently punched above its weight in attracting best storytellers and stars to create best-in-class sequence. I need to thank each PTVS worker for shepherding a slate of displays that helped usher Paramount into the streaming generation.Going ahead, all present PTVS sequence and construction tasks will transition to CBS Studios.Along with PTVS, there are contributors of CBS groups who will probably be leaving the corporate. Those are valued colleagues we recognize and admire, whose abilities contributed to the management place we revel in these days. I need to specific my private gratitude for his or her contributions, exhausting paintings and willpower.As we transfer ahead, please stay those co-workers to your ideas as our HR groups and their teammates lend a hand improve them via this procedure.There’s a large number of information to unpack these days. I understand it’s unsettling. I proceed to be inspired and thankful for our groups’ talent to stick targeted and stick in combination throughout this transitional time.George
