Skydance TV hires Channing Dungey, David Stapf in 10‑exec lineup

# George Cheeks Names 10 Executives to Supercharge Skydance TV’s 2024 Growth A bold new lineup of leaders has just been unveiled at Skydance TV, and the ripple across the entertainment landscape is already felt.

In a single memo, Co‑Chair and Chief Content Officer George Cheeks laid out a 10‑person command center that will steer the company’s studios, sports, and news ventures through a year of aggressive expansion.

From the storied halls of Warner Bros Television to the grid‑iron‑filled rosters of CBS Sports, the roster promises a blend of seasoned veterans and strategic innovators.

The announcement comes at a time when Skydance is carving out a distinct identity within a crowded media ecosystem, and the stakes are high: the company aims to deliver fresh storytelling, maximize franchise value, and tighten its bond with audiences across the globe.

The reshuffle signals more than a routine shuffle of titles. It marks Skydance’s intent to fuse its entertainment and sports divisions into a single, integrated powerhouse.

Cheeks’ memo underscored that the organization will “deliver great storytelling, maximize the value of our programming, franchises and brands, and strengthen our connection with audiences.” This ambitious vision hinges on a carefully calibrated hierarchy: every executive reports directly to Cheeks, ensuring streamlined decision‑making and a unified strategy.

The move also positions Skydance to leverage the breadth of its portfolio—from scripted dramas to live sporting events—into a cross‑platform narrative engine that can adapt to shifting viewer habits and technological advances. ## Background & Context The new leadership structure consolidates three major studio groups under the Skydance TV umbrella: Warner Bros Television, CBS Studios, and Paramount Television.

Channing Dungey will steer Warner Bros Television Group, overseeing an array of scripted, unscripted, and animated titles that include the Emmy‑winning series “The Pitt.” Dungey’s purview extends beyond U.S. borders, covering a slate of over 50 cable brands such as HGTV, Food Network, TNT, BET, and MTV.

Her role will be pivotal in maintaining Warner Bros’ creative output while aligning it with Skydance’s broader strategic goals.

Meanwhile, CBS Studios will remain in the hands of David Stapf, who continues to oversee flagship series like “NCIS” and the newly launched “NCIS: New York.” Stapf’s responsibilities also cover the creation of See It Now Studios, a label within CBS that mirrors the company’s previous partnership with BET Studios.

Susan Zirinsky will lead See It Now, reporting directly to Stapf and adding a fresh voice to the studio’s content pipeline. Complementing these studio leaders is Matt Thunell, who runs Paramount Television Studios.

Thunell’s portfolio boasts high‑profile streaming and broadcast series such as “Reacher,” “Neagley,” and the Taylor Sheridan‑led “Dutton Ranch” universe, spanning Paramount+ and CBS. Skydance’s sports arm will be integrated into Skydance TV Studios under the banner of Skydance Sports Entertainment.

David Berson, the newly appointed head of the Global Sports Group, will manage an expansive live‑sports catalog that includes CBS Sports, TNT Sports, and Warner‑Bros‑Discovery Sports.

His oversight covers rights to the NFL, UEFA Champions League, NHL, MLB, March Madness, PGA Tour, The Masters, WNBA, NASCAR, and college football—making the division one of the most diversified sports portfolios in the industry.

The news side of the organization is led by Tom Cibrowski, who continues to guide CBS News’ broadcast, streaming, and digital operations. Cibrowski’s focus includes strengthening CBS Mornings and sustaining the ratings momentum of CBS Evening News.

The editorial helm rests with Bari Weiss, editor‑in‑chief of CBS News, who reports directly to Skydance co‑CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz.

Together, these leaders form the backbone of a media company poised to deliver content across every platform. ## What People Are Saying Industry insiders have taken note of the sweeping changes, noting the concentration of talent and the clear directive from Cheeks.

Many see the move as a strategic response to the erosion of traditional studio models and the rise of streaming giants.

By anchoring its studio and sports divisions under a single leadership structure, Skydance positions itself to negotiate more effectively with distributors and to create synergistic content that spans multiple touchpoints—from primetime drama to live sporting events.

From a creative perspective, the appointment of veterans like Channing Dungey and David Stapf signals a commitment to maintaining the quality and consistency that have defined Warner Bros and CBS for decades.

Dungey’s track record with award‑winning series and Stapf’s stewardship of long‑running franchises suggest that Skydance will continue to prioritize proven storytelling while exploring new formats.

The addition of Susan Zirinsky to lead See It Now Studios adds a fresh, data‑driven approach to content development, an element increasingly important as audiences become more fragmented. On the sports front, David Berson’s leadership is expected to bring a global perspective to the division.

His prior experience with international rights deals, coupled with the company’s existing sports portfolio, could unlock new revenue streams and audience segments.

Cheeks’ memo highlighted the importance of “leveraging the full strength of our portfolio” and Berson’s role will be critical in turning that vision into tangible outcomes.

Meanwhile, Bryon Rubin’s appointment as COO extends his influence beyond CBS’s domestic syndication to encompass the entire CBS Television Stations group. His oversight will ensure operational coherence across the company’s broadcast and digital platforms.

Laurel Weir’s focus on research and programming insights promises to refine content strategy with a data‑driven lens, while Mike Benson’s marketing leadership will amplify brand visibility across traditional and emerging media.

Chris Ender’s role as the spokesperson and communications lead will shape how Skydance presents itself to both audiences and stakeholders.

By centralizing messaging under Ender, the company aims to maintain a cohesive narrative across its disparate divisions, ensuring that every announcement, partnership, or creative decision aligns with its overarching brand story. ## What Happens Next Looking ahead, the focus will shift from structural alignment to execution.

Cheeks has indicated that the next phase will involve deep dives into integration planning, especially for the Paramount cable networks under Laurel Weir’s purview. The aim is to harmonize scheduling, content acquisition, and audience analytics across the newly unified studios.

In parallel, the sports division will be tasked with negotiating multi‑year deals for key rights packages, a move that could set new benchmarks for live‑sports programming in the U.S.

On the news side, Tom Cibrowski and Bari Weiss will likely spearhead initiatives to expand CBS News’ digital footprint, leveraging data insights from Weir’s teams and marketing support from Benson. The synergy between broadcast and streaming will be crucial as audiences increasingly favor on‑demand news consumption.

Strategic partnerships are also on the horizon. With the consolidation of the Warner Bros, CBS, and Paramount brands, Skydance is well positioned to negotiate multi‑platform distribution deals with cable and streaming services.

These deals could involve cross‑promotion of flagship series, exclusive sports content, and bundled advertising opportunities that tap into the company’s extensive audience base.

Finally, the leadership team’s alignment will be tested in the coming months as the company pursues its goal of “strengthening our connection with audiences.” This will require a delicate balance between creative risk‑taking and brand consistency, as well as a commitment to staying ahead of evolving consumption patterns.

Whether the 10‑executive lineup delivers on these ambitions remains to be seen, but the groundwork is unmistakably laid. In a landscape where media conglomerates constantly shift alliances and priorities, Skydance’s bold reorganization signals a decisive push toward integrated, cross‑platform storytelling.

With George Cheeks at the helm and a seasoned leadership team in place, the next chapter of Skydance TV promises to be one of swift, strategic action and ambitious growth.