Top ViacomCBS executive David Nevins is in talks for an expanded role that would include oversight of content for Paramount Plus, sources tell Variety.
The longtime Showtime CEO and chairman, who also serves as chief creative officer of CBS, would maintain his portfolio that at present includes Showtime Networks and BET Networks, individuals with knowledge of the talks said. A ViacomCBS spokesman declined to comment.
The promotion for Nevins would clarify the management picture at Paramount Plus and the scope of Nevins’ role within ViacomCBS. The question of who will steer programming decisions for the streamer has been a murky ever since CBS All Access was transformed into Paramount Plus on March 4. Nevins previously had a hand in programming decisions for CBS All Access through his chief creative officer role.
But ViacomCBS shook up its digital executive ranks in the run-up to the Paramount Plus debut. Marc DeBevoise, who was part of the team that build CBS All Access, was pushed out as ViacomCBS chief digital officer last October. That paved the way for Tom Ryan, head of ViacomCBS’ Pluto TV AVOD platform, to be named president and CEO of ViacomCBS Streaming, which now houses all of the company’s streamers.
More changes became evident last month when Julie McNamara stepped down as executive VP and head of originals for Paramount Plus. Nevins’ new role is expected to coincide with the elevation of Nicole Clemens, now head of the Paramount Television Studios arm, to oversee originals for Paramount Plus in addition to running the productions.
Nevins is expected to maintain his current portfolio of networks but drop the CBS chief creative officer role. That position has been somewhat nebulous ever since NBCUniversal alum George Cheeks was named president of CBS Entertainment Group in January 2020, on the heels of the Viacom and CBS Corp. merger. Nevins will continue to report to Bob Bakish, ViacomCBS president and CEO.
Ryan teased a new executive structure coming for Paramount Plus in his memo noting McNamara’s departure. More executive appointments are expected in the coming weeks in addition to Nevins’ promotion, said sources.
Nevins came to ViacomCBS as entertainment president of Showtime in 2010 and was upped to CEO in 2015. He took on the CBS chief creative officer duties in the fall of 2018 following the ouster of longtime CBS Corp. leader Leslie Moonves.
Cynthia Littleton contributed to this report.