The integration of CBS and Paramount cable assets under George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media, continues. After BET Studios in December became a label of CBS Studios, the same is now being done with Nickelodeon Animation Studios, which also will function as a label within the David Stapf-run TV studio going forward.
With that, all production units in Cheeks’ expanded portfolio after the Skydance merger are now being consolidated into one, CBS Studios.
Cheeks announced the restructuring in an internal memo, a copy of which was obtained by Deadline. In it, he announced Alec Botnick‘s appointment as President of Nickelodeon Animation Studios.
Ashley Kaplan, who had been co-running the animated studio with Botnick for the past four months, will become a consultant, working “on special projects through the end of the year.”
Back in November, three months after former CBS President and CEO Cheeks added oversight of Paramount cable brands such as MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET in his new role as Paramount’s Chair of TV Media, he unveiled leadership for most divisions.
Kaplan, EVP, Nick’s Unscripted and Digital Franchise Studios, and Botnick, CBS Studios’ EVP, Comedy Development, Head of Animation and Alternative, were tapped at the time to oversee Nickelodeon Animation Studios across digital, television and streaming. Over her seven-year tenure at Nickelodeon, Kaplan has shepherded the company’s large YouTube output in form of short-form content.
Botnick will now “oversee the animation studio and its evolution across digital, TV and streaming as we reimagine how we meet today’s kids and families,” Cheeks said. “Alec’s leadership will be essential in shaping our next phase as Nickelodeon reinvents how we reach preschoolers, starting where discovery happens first and evolving into a true cross-platform brand.”
There is no change for Jules Borkent who, as announced in November, will continue as EVP of global commercial partnerships and operations, overseeing Nickelodeon’s Kids & Family’s business and strategy.
Here is Cheeks’ full email:
Team,
I’m excited to announce that Alec Botnick has been appointed president of Nickelodeon Animation Studios. Alec will lead Nickelodeon Animation Studios into its next chapter, while also continuing his current role as EVP of CBS Studios comedy development, alternative & animation. Similar to BET Studios, Nickelodeon Animation Studios will now operate as its own label for television within CBS Studios.
For Nickelodeon, Alec will oversee the animation studio and its evolution across digital, TV and streaming as we reimagine how we meet today’s kids and families. Alec’s leadership will be essential in shaping our next phase as Nickelodeon reinvents how we reach preschoolers, starting where discovery happens first and evolving into a true cross-platform brand. He will lead Nickelodeon’s unscripted programming for television, including the Kids’ Choice Awards, while also guiding the development of new series and overseeing our long-running hits, ensuring Nickelodeon remains home to the world’s most iconic kids’ franchises like SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, PAW PATROL and more.
Alec will also continue to develop scripted comedies and alternative projects for CBS Studios, as well as maintain oversight of animated development across the CBS, Comedy Central and MTV brands for owned and third-party platforms. Series and projects Alec has helped develop include GHOSTS and ETERNALLY YOURS for CBS, the critically acclaimed Australian comedy COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS for Paramount+ and the animated series “Odd Jobs” for Prime Video.
I also want to share that Ashley Kaplan will transition to a consulting role beginning Monday. In this capacity, she will support the TV Media division on special projects through the end of the year. We are grateful to Ashley for her years of leadership and appreciate her continued partnership.
Jules Borkent, executive vice president of global commercial partnerships and operations, will continue to oversee Nickelodeon Kids & Family’s business and strategy, working in partnership with Alec and other key stakeholders to maximize the Nick brand.Please join me in congratulating Alec on this well-deserved role. I’m excited for what’s ahead as we continue building the next chapter of Nickelodeon.
All the best,
George
