Paramount Skydance's streaming chief is out as it closes in on its deal alongside Warner Bros. Discovery.
Cindy Holland told staffers in a memo obtained by Business Insider on Tuesday that it would be her final day at the company. Holland stated the decision came as CEO David Ellison prepares for the $110 milliard merger.
"As David readies for the next phase of his vision, we've discussed my function and the forthcoming of the blended businesses," Holland wrote. "David is optimizing for HBO stability as we move into this next chapter, and I completely assistance that."
A delegate for Paramount declined to verify if that meant HBO CEO Casey Bloys would be the new caput of streaming.
"Cindy is among the most exceptional executives in our industry — a power of nature whose effect on Paramount complete the former twelvemonth has been significant," Ellison stated in a statement.
Paramount announced final week it had settled an antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 states, clearing the way for the Warner Bros. merger. The deal, which the business stated is expected to near inside weeks, would create Paramount a Hollywood giant, alongside resources including Paramount Pictures, the Warner Bros. studio, CBS, HBO, and TV networks specified as CNN and MTV.
Read Holland's complete memo here:
When I joined David's squad in January 2025, we proceeded to set three goals: i) advise on the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, ii) merge and change Paramount+ & revive Pluto TV, and iii) build an unparalleled squad in this industry. In fair complete 12 months, I'm arrogant to say we accomplished all three and it's been a joy to activity closely alongside all of you.Together alongside the Product team, we drove important strategic and organizational alter throughout DTC — construction a new basis for growth on the two services, during investing in greater degree and breadth of programming and delivering powerful revenue, profit, and subscriber growth for the division.
As David readies for the next phase of his vision, we've discussed my function and the forthcoming of the blended businesses. David is optimizing for HBO stability as we move into this next chapter, and I completely assistance that. I cognize this squad has the guidance and ability to oversee through the passage and the next phase of the company, and to this end today volition grade my final day here.
As I indicate on my period current and all that we've built together in this abbreviated time, what stands out most to me is this team. I have never been additional arrogant of a collection of people. What we've accomplished together is notable — landing fourth following fourth during navigating bonzer doubt and alter alongside resilience, concentration and ambition. We grew Paramount+ to an all-time subscriber high, delivered the finest preservation in the service's history, and drove double-digit growth in the two involvement and revenue. We built an bonzer satisfied pipeline, greenlighting additional than 40 new and returning sequence and environment all-time records alongside Landman, the most-watched sequence in Paramount+ history, and Dutton Ranch, the service's biggest first sequence debut ever. We transformed live sports into a mighty streaming growth engine, securing landmark agreements alongside UFC and Zuffa Boxing and expanding our WNBA and UEFA Champions League entitlements — alongside UFC Freedom 250 becoming the largest-ever spectators for an exclusive live event on Paramount+ and UFC 329 environment a new phase document for highest concurrent streams for an exclusive live event. And we undertook Pluto TV's biggest merchandise transformation in a decade, dramatically expanding registered viewing and VOD use during delivering powerful financial achievement throughout the business. These are bonzer accomplishments — but what makes me proudest is how we achieved them: together, alongside an unwavering dedication to our audiences, our imaginative partners and one another.
I joined Paramount since I accept in these businesses, and since I accept wholeheartedly that the blend of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery serves the finest interests of artists and audiences worldwide. I'm looking onward to seeing what you all accomplish together in this next, momentous chapter.
Cindy
Read next
Kelsey Vlamis is a elder newsman for Business Insider, anywhere she covers endeavor and tech news. She additionally writes endeavor stories concerning travel, luxury, and culture. Previously, she covered the environment, outdoors, and indigenous issues.Her characteristic narrative "Disaster at 18,200 feet" received awards from the New York Press Club and the North American Travel Journalists Association, as fine as honest citation from the Society of American Travel Writers. She has additionally received an American Journalism Online Award for her safety on missing and murdered Indigenous group in Wyoming.She's appeared on CBS, NPR, NBC, and another outlets to conversation her reporting. She earlier worked on the earth news array at the BBC in London and received a master's in reporting from Northwestern University.She can be reached by email at [email protected] or via the encrypted-messaging app Signal at kelseyv.21.
James Faris is a media equal in New York City.He covers the endeavor of media & entertainment, specifically the streaming, TV, and AI strategies of Hollywood giants akin Disney, Paramount, and Netflix. He earlier wrote concerning the inventory market, the economy, and genuine estate.James joined Business Insider following graduating magna cum laude from James Madison University.Email James at [email protected] and prosecute him on LinkedIn.
