Cindy Holland, the executive who ran Paramount’s streaming business, left the company Tuesday, clearing the way for HBO chief Casey Bloys to lead the combined streaming operation once Paramount closes its $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Holland announced her exit in a memo to staff, calling Tuesday her last day. She said she had discussed the future of the merged businesses with Paramount CEO David Ellison, who is “optimizing for HBO stability,” and added that she supports that approach. The memo never names Bloys. Paramount declined to comment, and his role has not been made official.
Ellison praised Holland in a statement as one of the industry’s most exceptional executives. The deal, which is days from closing, will place Paramount+, Pluto TV, HBO Max and Discovery+ under one roof. Ellison has said he plans to fold HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single platform with over 200 million subscribers, though he has set no timetable.
Deadline reported the departure had been rumored for a week and framed it as a choice between two veteran streaming executives, neither of whom would have reported to the other. Bloys wins the contest. He has spent about 25 years at HBO and has led its programming since 2016, and Variety notes that he has weathered three corporate takeovers in eight years. Variety also reports that JB Perrette, who runs streaming for Warner Bros. Discovery, may join Bloys in steering the combined service.
Holland leaves after building an impressive record. A veteran of Netflix’s early original series push, she took charge of Paramount+ and Pluto TV after Ellison’s Skydance bought Paramount last year. Paramount+ reached roughly 80 million subscribers, posted its best retention on record and grew engagement and revenue at double-digit rates. Her team greenlit over 40 series, among them “Landman,” the service’s most-watched show, and “Dutton Ranch,” its biggest original debut. She also secured UFC and Zuffa Boxing rights and rebuilt the Pluto TV product.
In her memo, Holland said she believes the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery combination serves artists and audiences and looks forward to watching the team’s next chapter. Bloys has indicated he wants to keep his senior HBO team intact after the merger.
