George Cheeks used his first staff memo as Skydance TV co-chair and chief content officer to frame the company’s newly combined television operation as a formidable mix of studios, networks, platforms, news and sports assets.

The message arrived Tuesday as the $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery officially closed. Cheeks wrote to television employees across the studios and networks only hours after Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz sent their own companywide memo outlining an operating philosophy and goals for the combined business.

“Today is the start of a new chapter,” Cheeks told staff. He said the merger had brought together a “remarkable collection of television brands, networks and studios,” supported by talented teams across the organization.

Cheeks also acknowledged the difficult lead-up to the deal’s completion, thanking employees for their work, creativity and dedication and for “playing through the noise this past year.” He said he was looking forward to moving ahead as one team.

CBS and the studios take center stage

In laying out the scale of the new Skydance Television group, Cheeks highlighted Warner Bros. Television Studios, CBS Studios and Paramount Television Studios as its three television production operations. He said they would continue creating franchises, premium original programming and unscripted shows for the company’s platforms and partners around the world.

CBS received particular emphasis in the memo. “CBS remains a cornerstone, underpinning our multiplatform strategy to deliver entertainment, news and sports to audiences at scale,” Cheeks wrote.

He also pointed to the combined sports assets of CBS Sports, TNT Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, describing them as an expansive global portfolio.

On the news side, Cheeks called CBS News one of journalism’s most important brands, noting its national and worldwide coverage across broadcast, streaming and digital. He also cited the company’s local footprint: 27 CBS stations serving 17 markets with community journalism.

The television operation additionally includes a cable portfolio of more than 50 channels around the world. According to Cheeks, those networks span entertainment, children’s and family programming, and lifestyle brands.

Although he did not single out individual programs, Cheeks argued that the collective lineup covers some of the industry’s most watched, acclaimed and award-winning shows.

Leadership details are still to come

Cheeks’ note did not spell out the full organizational structure or formally detail reporting lines. However, the divisional leaders understood to be reporting to him include Warner Bros. TV Group and U.S. networks chairman and CEO Channing Dungey, CBS Studios president David Stapf and Paramount TV Studios chief Matt Thunell.

JB Perrette serves alongside Cheeks as Skydance TV co-chair and chief business officer. Perrette, previously Warner Bros. Discovery’s CEO and president of global streaming and games, also holds the co-chair and chief business officer titles for the Skydance DTC streaming division.

Cheeks’ elevation represents another major show of confidence from Ellison. When Skydance first took control of Paramount last year, Ellison selected Cheeks to serve as Paramount TV media chair.

Before that appointment, Cheeks was one of three co-CEOs of Paramount Global, which was previously known as ViacomCBS. He was the only member of that leadership trio to move into the new company.

What Happens Next?

Cheeks directly addressed employees’ interest in learning more about the leadership lineup, corporate structure and strategy, but said those details would be shared when possible.

He also acknowledged that the transition carries uncertainty and stress for staff. Employees should expect more information about the television group’s structure and priorities in the coming weeks, he said, while continuing to consult the company’s Integration Hub.

“The work ahead is significant, and so is the opportunity,” Cheeks wrote. “I am energized by the possibilities. Together, we’ll build on our collective strengths to create an even stronger future.”

He closed the memo with a promise of further updates: “More to come.”