David Nevins exits Paramount Global, responsibilities reshuffled to exec trio

Long-tenured Paramount Global exec David Nevins is exiting the company.

David Nevins

Nevins, who serves as chairman and CEO of Paramount Premium Group and chief creative officer of Paramount+ scripted series, revealed his departure in a memo to staff on Thursday.

“I am tremendously grateful for the past 12 years and the varying positions I’ve held at this company,” he said.

“It has truly been one of the great joys of my life to get to do what I love to do with all of you. Together, we’ve accomplished an enormous amount. Year after year, we’ve managed to make and launch shows that defined the zeitgeist, that excited, delighted and moved our audiences, and that received adulation and awards from our peers.”

With Nevins’s departure, Paramount has expanded the remits for three of its most senior execs: Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of Paramount Media Networks; Tom Ryan, president and CEO, Paramount Streaming; and George Cheeks, president and CEO, CBS, and chief content officer, news and sports, Paramount+.

A memo from Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish announced that: Showtime Networks will move into Paramount Media Networks, under the leadership of McCarthy; Showtime’s OTT teams will move into Paramount Streaming, reporting to Ryan; and Paramount Television Studios will move under Cheeks’ group, where it will continue to operate as a studio alongside CBS Studios. BET will also move under Cheeks.

Nevins’s departure comes just over a year after he was promoted to a new role that gave him oversight of Paramount Television.

In the role, he has been responsible for the development and deployment of scripted originals, both dramas and comedies, for Paramount+ in addition to overseeing all aspects of Showtime Networks, BET and Paramount Television Studios.

According to Nevins’s memo, there will be a transition period prior to his official departure.

“So why now? Quite simply, over the past several months I’ve come to the conclusion that I am ready for the next phase of my life and my career. The industry is transforming rapidly, and I am genuinely excited about what the future holds,” added Nevins.

“Most importantly, the leadership team led by Jana Winograde, Gary Levine, Scott Mills and Nicole Clemens are more than ready. The 2023 slate is set, and I believe the coming year’s schedules from Showtime, BET and Paramount Television Studios are going to be the most ambitious and exciting group of shows we’ve ever put out in a single year. I can’t wait to watch it happen.”