Paramount Skydance outlines cable shift

Paramount Skydance executives acknowledge cable challenges while outlining a plan to redefine their brands for a streaming led era.

Paramount Skydance Shapes Cable Future

Paramount Skydance executives say they do not plan to spin off the company’s cable channels. They acknowledge the shift toward streaming and the decline of traditional linear TV, but argue the portfolio still has value. George Cheeks, chairman of TV media, will run the broadcast network and oversee the cable outlets as the company rethinks the model. He highlighted iconic franchises such as South Park, The Daily Show, SpongeBob SquarePants and Yellowstone as anchors for future strategy. The leaders say conversations will focus on how to preserve and possibly shift some franchises to streaming while maintaining the strength of the brands.

Jeff Shell, Paramount Skydance president, described the outlets not as declining assets but as brands that need redefining. The list of channels includes BET, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, Smithsonian, TV Land and VH1, plus Showtime. CEO David Ellison stressed a long term view and indicated BET should stay within the company and be invested in, along with Skydance’s broader ownership. He noted early discussions with Shari Redstone about keeping the company together even as it evolves in a streaming driven market.

The moves reflect a broader industry tension: how to monetize durable brands as audiences migrate online. Paramount Skydance is betting that legacy franchises can anchor a refreshed distribution strategy, rather than abandoning cable altogether. By framing cable as brands to redefine, the company signals patience and a willingness to experiment with where content lives. The BET stance also signals stability amid rumors of possible consolidation, a signal to investors that long term value may rest in arraying assets rather than shrinking the portfolio. If the plan works, it could slow the industry-wide push to spin out cable into standalone ventures, while still delivering growth through streaming partnerships and reallocated programming budgets.

Highlights

Time will tell if redefining brands can sustain value in a shifting landscape.