Cindy Holland Exits Paramount+ as Casey Bloys Set to Run Combined Streaming

Cindy Holland confirmed on Tuesday that she is stepping down as head of Paramount+ and Paramount's other direct-to-consumer streamers, clearing the way for HBO chief Casey Bloys to take control of all streaming operations once Paramount Skydance closes its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

The leadership shuffle comes days before Paramount Skydance finalizes its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Holland announced her departure in a memo to staff sent Tuesday afternoon. She acknowledged that Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has made the decision on streaming leadership, though she did not name Bloys.

"As David readies for the next phase of his vision, we've discussed my role and the future of the combined businesses," Holland wrote. "David is optimizing for HBO stability as we move into this next chapter, and I fully support that. I know this team has the leadership and expertise to manage through the transition and the next phase of the company, and to this end today will mark my last day here."

Speculation has grown over the past few weeks that Bloys would take the top streaming role post-merger. Bloys is a near 25-year veteran of HBO who has steered the network through three corporate takeovers in eight years. Industry observers also expect JB Perrette, who currently heads streaming business operations and gaming for Warner Bros. Discovery, to join Bloys in running HBO, HBO Max and Paramount+.

Holland joined Paramount in January 2025 after a career that helped define the streaming era. She spent 18 years at Netflix, including nine as Vice President of Original Content, as part of the pioneering team that built the platform into the world's biggest subscription streaming service. She established Netflix's original programming strategy and oversaw the teams behind "House of Cards," "Stranger Things," "The Crown," "Icarus," "When They See Us" and "The Queen's Gambit." Between Netflix and Paramount, she served as CEO of Sister, the production company formed by Elizabeth Murdoch.

In her memo, Holland said she joined Ellison's team with three goals: advise on the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition, integrate and transform Paramount+ and revive Pluto TV, and build what she called "an unparalleled team in this industry."

"In just over 12 months, I'm proud to say we accomplished all three and it's been a joy to work closely with all of you," Holland wrote.

Holland cited a string of concrete results. Under her tenure, Paramount+ reached an all-time subscriber high, posted the best retention in the service's history and drove double-digit growth in both engagement and revenue. Her team greenlit more than 40 new and returning series, setting platform records with "Landman," the most-watched series in Paramount+ history, and "Dutton Ranch," the service's biggest original series debut ever.

Live sports became a growth engine under her watch. Her division secured landmark agreements with UFC and Zuffa Boxing and expanded WNBA and UEFA Champions League rights. UFC Freedom 250 drew the largest-ever audience for an exclusive live event on Paramount+, and UFC 329 set a new platform record for peak concurrent streams for an exclusive live event. Her team also undertook Pluto TV's biggest product transformation in a decade.

"I have never been more proud of a group of people," Holland wrote of her team. "We grew Paramount+ to an all-time subscriber high, delivered the best retention in the service's history, and drove double-digit growth in both engagement and revenue."

She closed on a note of support for the merger itself. "I joined Paramount because I believe in these businesses, and because I believe wholeheartedly that the combination of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery serves the best interests of artists and audiences worldwide," Holland wrote. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you all accomplish together in this next, momentous chapter."

Her exit sets the terms for what comes next: a consolidated streaming operation anchored by HBO's leadership, with Bloys — and possibly Perrette — at the helm. The industry is now speculating openly about the fate of other division leaders across both companies as the merger closes.