Cheeks and CBS Leisure President Amy Reisenbach unveiled the community’s new prime-time schedule for reporters at Paramount’s Hollywood workplaces, trumpeting CBS’ prime-time successful streak of 17 consecutive seasons.
For the season that ends this month, CBS boasts eight of the highest 10 prime-time reveals in community TV. The broadcaster’s schedule of originals towers over opponents ABC and NBC. This previous yr, scores grew 3% — a uncommon feat in an period of shrinking linear TV audiences.
However that power has been undermined by the corporate’s high-profile tangles with Trump, who introduced a $20-billion lawsuit over edits of a “60 Minutes” interview final fall with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
First Modification consultants have described Trump’s lawsuit, which alleges the “60 Minutes” episode was fraudulent, as frivolous. However the president has remained defiant, saying CBS needs to be punished.
Representatives of Trump and Paramount met with a mediator final week, however there was no instant decision of the lawsuit. Controlling shareholder Shari Redstone’s want to finish the wrangling with a settlement stays a cloud hanging over the corporate and its sale.
Cheeks acknowledged the turmoil Wednesday.
“This is an unprecedented, challenging time for the industry and for our company in particular,” Cheeks advised a few dozen reporters gathered in a CBS convention room. “For me, what’s most important as a leader is how you show up in a difficult time. …
“My biggest goal is to make sure that the team feels supported and that we recognize that we have to focus on what we can control,” Cheeks mentioned. “We’re going to get through this.”
George Cheeks the at Lincoln Heart in New York in January.
(Kristina Bumphrey / Getty Photos)
Correspondent Scott Pelley advised “60 Minutes” viewers about Owens’ resignation in late April, noting that journalists had been going through elevated company oversight.
Since Trump’s go well with was filed final fall, “60 Minutes” has remained dogged in its protection of the Trump administration’s insurance policies.
On Sunday, Pelley reported on how Trump has used govt orders to focus on legislation corporations that he accuses of “weaponizing” the justice system in opposition to him.
Redstone has expressed frustration with “60 Minutes” for months. She was sad with this system’s protection of the Israel-Hamas battle and its results on Gaza. She reportedly has requested Cheeks whether or not there have been extra “60 Minutes” tales coming that would antagonize Trump.
A Redstone spokesperson declined to remark.
It’s been 10 months since Redstone agreed to promote Paramount, which incorporates the historic Melrose Avenue film studio, Comedy Central, MTV and Paramount+, to David Ellison’s Skydance Media, a deal valued at $8 billion.
The deal would see the Redstone household vacating its perch in Hollywood after almost 40 years. Ellison and executives with RedBird Capital Companions would take over management of the corporate. Cheeks is anticipated to remain on in a high-profile position, sources have mentioned.
However the Federal Communications Fee has solely begun preliminary steps to evaluation the deal, which insiders had hoped could be finalized by early this spring.
The 2 sides face an early October deadline to achieve approval and shut the deal. Paramount wants the FCC to consent to the switch of CBS station licenses to the Ellison household.
If the deal isn’t wrapped by mid-October, both aspect may again out. Paramount would owe a considerable breakup payment.
The outcomes of the inquiry are pending.
Throughout the presentation, neither Cheeks or Reisenbach addressed Trump’s bombshell announcement Sunday that he deliberate to impose 100% tariffs on motion pictures which can be filmed in international nations, saying it was untimely to invest.
Questions swirl concerning the feasibility of his proposal, and Trump didn’t say whether or not tv reveals could be included. CBS movies a number of reveals in Canada.
Cheeks and Reisenbach advised reporters their crew was attempting to dam out the “noise” to give attention to growing the brand new fall schedule, a way of normalcy that was welcomed inside CBS’ ranks. Subsequent week begins the annual upfront gross sales season when advertisers place bets on the varied community schedules.
“George really creates an environment where we almost feel like we have the space and room to operate in a noise bubble,” Reisenbach mentioned.
CBS introduced eight new sequence, together with “Marshals,” a western drama from hitmaker Taylor Sheridan. Different new reveals embody “CIA,” “Sheriff Country,” a comedy known as “DMV” and a rustic music expertise search present, “The Road,” with Keith City and Blake Shelton.
Donnie Wahlberg, who will reprise his position from the CBS hit “Blue Bloods” within the new present “Boston Blue,” made a cameo look on the presentation, together with Sonequa Martin-Inexperienced, who will co-star as a detective.
The Wahlberg present picks up from the beloved Tom Selleck unique. “No ‘Blue Bloods’ fans will be disappointed,” Wahlberg mentioned.
Becoming a member of them might be a bake-off known as “America’s Culinary Cup” with Padma Lakshmi and “Harlan Coben’s Final Twist.”
