Skydance has reshaped its television and streaming distribution leadership, with eight executives from Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery departing, Variety reported. Distribution president Ray Hopkins set out the changes in a November 3 memo after the combination of Paramount Skydance and WBD closed on October 6.
Shared responsibility for agreements and partnerships
Sarah Bergman and Mickey Carter will both hold the title of executive vice president of distribution. Bergman previously led network and streaming distribution at WBD, while Carter held a senior distribution role at Paramount. They will divide responsibility for negotiating agreements and managing partnerships.
The team handles distribution for CBS owned-and-operated stations, 55 basic cable networks, Paramount+, HBO Max, Discovery+, Pluto TV and more than 100 free ad-supported streaming channels.
Departing executives include Rivka Golomb, Kelly Kane, Jeff Cross, Rich Palermo, David Comisar, Kurt Davis, Deena Demasi and Ken Kay. Cross will remain a senior adviser to the distribution business.
Specialist roles across the combined operation
Brad Shipley will oversee business development and strategy, including growth partnerships, Pluto TV, free streaming-channel distribution and advanced advertising partnerships. He will also serve as distribution lead for Skydance Global Sports Group.
Patrick Cavanaugh will lead distribution finance, Rick Baker business and legal affairs, Joe Bahr partner operations, and Andrew Borak the combined marketing function. Bob Aguanno and John Bagwell will manage different aspects of CBS affiliate relationships and contracting.
Hopkins reports to JB Perrette, co-chair and chief business officer of Skydance TV and Skydance Direct-to-Consumer. The company is targeting $6 billion in annualised cost savings from the Paramount–WBD combination. An October 26 company memo also offered voluntary buyouts to certain eligible employees.