Brian Robbins poised to replace Jim Gianopulos as Paramount head

Paramount chairman and CEO Jim Gianopulos is stepping down as head of Paramount Pictures, with ViacomCBS’s kids and family entertainment president Brian Robbins set to take the reins, according to reports.

Brian Robbins

Robbins, who co-founded AwesomenessTV in 2012, joined the Paramount ranks in 2017 as president of Paramount Players before moving into the role of Nickelodeon president the following year. He is also currently the chief content officer of kids and family for ViacomCBS-owned streamer Paramount+.

As part of the reshuffle David Nevins, chairman and CEO of Showtime, will gain oversight of Paramount Television. Nicole Clemensm president of Paramount TV and president of Paramount+ original scripted series, will report to Nevins.

Gianopulos is expected to remain in the fold to assist with the transition. He has headed the film studio since 2017, joining Paramount after serving as co-chair of filmed entertainment at 20th Century Fox from 2000 to 2012.

Later, from 2012 to 2016, he solely held the chairman role. When Viacom and CBS recombined in December 2019, Gianopulos was confirmed to continued as chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures under the merged entity.

With the promotion, Robbins is expected to retain oversight of both Nickelodeon and kids content for Paramount+, according to reports. It is unclear what Robbins’ promotion will mean for the make-up of the executive team within ViacomCBS’s kids and family division.

The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Viacom had not returned a request for comment at press time.