In a significant development, Paramount Global has announced a round of layoffs that will affect approximately 800 employees in the United States. The news comes amidst discussions about downsizing within Paramount TV Studios, an independent studio led by Nicole Clemens.

Paramount TV Studios, which recently integrated with CBS Studios to centralize various operations, including finance, law, production, business affairs, and casting, is now streamlining its programming operations. Under the leadership of Head of Development Jana Helman, the studio is consolidating its development and current departments.

As part of this restructuring, several key individuals are leaving Paramount TV Studios. Cheryl Bosnak, the EVP and Head of Current at PTVS, along with Kate Gill, the SVP of Development, Julie Katchen, the VP of Current, and Devin Crossfield, the Manager of Development, will be exiting their roles. Dominic Pagone, the SVP and Head of Communications at PTVS, who joined just a year ago, will also be leaving his position. Meanwhile, communications for CBS Studios and PTVS will be consolidated under CBS Studios' EVP of Communications, Kristen Hall.

Apart from Paramount TV Studios, other divisions within Paramount are also expected to be affected by the layoffs. At Nickelodeon, Liz Paulson, the head of animation and live-action casting and talent development, will be departing. The talent department within the division will undergo decentralization, and the animation department at Nickelodeon will experience significant staff reductions on both coasts.

In addition to these changes, other notable departures include Brie Neimand, the SVP of Current, Cable, and Streaming Series at CBS Studios, who had been with the studio for over two years, and Geoff Stier, the SVP of Original Programming at Showtime Networks, who served for a five-year tenure.

With these layoffs, Paramount Global aims to address the challenges posed by the transition from linear TV to streaming platforms. Like many traditional media companies, Paramount has faced a slowdown in advertising revenue.

The layoffs account for approximately 3% of Paramount's global workforce. At the beginning of 2023, the company employed 24,500 full-time and part-time employees across 37 countries, in addition to 5,800 project-based staff members.

Paramount Global's decision to streamline operations and reduce its workforce reflects the ongoing changes and challenges within the entertainment industry. The company is committed to adapting and thriving in the evolving landscape of media consumption.