Paramount has appointed new leaders to its cable brands, including MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon, as part of the company’s plan to “reinvent” these networks following recent layoffs. George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media at Skydance-owned Paramount, has named top executives across these networks.
New programming head Laurel Weir will oversee MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and other cable networks, while Sitarah Pendelton will lead MTV series and specials, including RuPaul’s Drag Race. At Nickelodeon, Jules Borkent will oversee the kids channel’s business and strategy, with Ashley Kaplan and Alec Botnick leading its animation studio.
Comedy Central’s new leader is Ari Pearce, who will oversee the late-night show The Daily Show. Trevor Rose will lead talent and content strategy across TV Media, while Bryon Rubin serves as COO & CFO. The company has also announced plans to “reinvent” these brands, focusing on franchises like Spongebob Squarepants and Paw Patrol.
Cheeks emphasized the importance of iconic franchises in driving revenue and growing viewership. Paramount’s cable portfolio is seen as a key part of its streaming strategy, with some assets being shifted to streaming platforms. The company has already made significant layoffs and closures of international channels.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/11/paramount-george-cheeks-cable-tv-leadership-mtv-1236606604