ViacomCBS Unveils Writers Selected for 2020-2021 Mentoring Program

ViacomCBS’ ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) unit madethree executive appointments on Wednesday to round out its new streaming leadership and "drive the company’s streaming business in advance of the 2021 launch of Paramount+, the company’s premium super-sized SVOD service." Kelly Day, who on Tuesday was unveiled as taking on an expanded remit as president of streaming for VCNI in addition to her role as COO, announced the appointments.

ViacomCBS' ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) said on Monday that it is launching a kids content division, led by Nina Hahn as head of VIS Kids. She will hold the position in addition to her role as senior vp of production & development at Nickelodeon International.

Scottish Cup with replays scrapped and clubs given the option to withdraw. The 2019-20 edition of the tournament is still to be completed, with the semi-finals set for Hampden on Saturday and Sunday.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorEXCLUSIVE: Grantchester actor Robson Green is to front a series for ViacomCBS’s UK broadcaster Channel 5 in which he explores the length of Roman Empire ruin, Hadrian’s Wall.The Scottish arm of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings producer Firecracker Films is producing the three-part series, which has the title Walking Hadrian’s Wall With Robson Green.Green will walk the wall, which stretches 80 miles from coast to coast in the north of England and served as the northerly

ViacomCBS is shuffling its top leadership ranks as it prepares to relaunch its streaming service CBS All Access next year. The company is combining its streaming efforts under a new group, dubbed ViacomCBS Streaming, that will have oversight of both subscription product CBS All Access — which is being rebranded as Paramount+ in 2021 — and free, ad-supported streamer Pluto TV.

Also Read: Paramount Network Drops All Unscripted Series in Move to Rebrand as Movie ChannelPlus, JC Acosta has been named president of ViacomCBS International Studios.“ViacomCBS has a unique opportunity to combine the best of our brands in a seamless ecosystem of must-watch, direct-to-consumer services for audiences around the world,” said Bob Bakish, President and CEO, ViacomCBS.

Jill Goldsmith Co-Business EditorViacomCBS Tuesday named Tom Ryan, currently CEO of Pluto TV, as president and CEO, ViacomCBS Streaming, unveiling a new leadership structure for its evolving global free and pay streaming services.The integrated structure, effective immediately, will ensure a more holistic approach across both free and pay streaming, more closely align the company’s streaming initiatives globally, and enhance ViacomCBS’s ability to leverage the cross-house franchise and content

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorViacomCBS has restructured its streaming operations with a global lens: Tom Ryan, currently CEO of Pluto TV, will assume the role of president and CEO of the newly created ViacomCBS Streaming, overseeing CBS All Access, which will relaunch as Paramount Plus in early 2021, and Pluto TV.Marc DeBevoise will step down from his role as chief digital officer, ViacomCBS, and president-CEO of ViacomCBS Digital, serving in an advisory capacity for the remainder of 2020.The

ViacomCBS said on Monday that it has promoted Wincie Knight to the role of vp, global inclusion strategy at its ViacomCBS Networks International unit. Based in London, Knight will report to Marva Smalls, the New York-based executive vp of global inclusion at ViacomCBS and executive vp, public affairs, kids & family entertainment brands at ViacomCBS Media Networks, as well as Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks U.K., Australia and Israel.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorViacomCBS has elevated company veteran Wincie Knight to become vice president of global inclusion strategy for ViacomCBS Networks International.Knight, who first joined ViacomCBS in 1999 and is based in London, will join the UK senior leadership team and is tasked with boosting diversity and inclusion in Britain, Europe, Israel, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.The former senior director of global inclusion strategy will report to Marva Smalls, ViacomCBS’

Christopher Vourlias ViacomCBS International Studios is setting its sights on Southern Europe, with company execs outlining their plans for the region at Rome’s MIA market on Saturday.“South Europe is a focus for us right now.

Alexandra Del Rosario Associate Editor/Nights & WeekendsViacomCBS has revealed the 11 writers set to participate in its annual Writers Mentoring Program. The network announced Thursday its lineup of scribes, selected from a pool of over 1,600 applicants, with varying experiences and backgrounds.The eight-month mentoring program will pair the selected writers with ViacomCBS executive mentors, who will help them create new content.

CBS News has unveiled its 2020 election night plans, with network coverage originating from ViacomCBS' corporate headquarters in Times Square. It will be the first time that the network's election coverage will originate from Times Square, in the past it has originated from the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th street in New York, and the network's Washington D.C.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterEXCLUSIVE: In May, The Black List unveiled the 10 writers for the inaugural Latinx TV List. To mark the conclusion of Hispanic Heritage Month (which is today), three of the writers from the list have been selected to receive blind script deals with Hulu:  Dominic Colon, Juan Carlos Fernandez and Anna Salinas.Initially, only two WGA minimum blind script deals were expected, but expectations were exceeded and three were chosen.

Dade Hayes Finance EditorAmazon Prime Video is stepping up its relationship with the NFL, agreeing to a deal to stream a playoff game in January.The wild-card game is being broadcast on CBS and Nickelodeon and ViacomCBS also has rights to stream it on CBS All Access, which by then will be known as Paramount+.Earlier this year, Amazon signed a three-year renewal of its deal to stream 11 Thursday Night Football games per season.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorAmazon, for the first time, will expand its NFL streaming game-plan to the league’s postseason.The ecommerce giant has acquired rights to the NFL’s Jan. 10 wildcard playoff game, one of two added by the league for the 2020 season, an NFL rep confirmed.

Jamie Lang In today’s Mipcom Roundup, ViacomCBS announces MIA attendance and its investment commitment in the Italian industry, NENT Studios U.K.

Justin Kroll Senior Film ReporterThe Lucky Exports Pitch Program, founded by Christina Hodson’s Hodson Exports and Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment, has sold five action feature pitches to major film companies including Warner Bros., Sony, Universal, New Line, and Thunder Road, and is in development on a high concept television series.The Lucky Exports Pitch Program was created by Hodson and Morgan Howell of Hodson Exports and Robbie, Josey McNamara, and Tom Ackerley of LuckyChap

ViacomCBS' ViacomCBSNetworks International (VCNI) unit on Tuesday unveiled a "no diversity, no commission" production policy "to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by requiring that all new international productions be made by a diverse team." It said the initiative will apply to its business across five continents and more than 180 countries. The "no diversity, no commission" policy was initially launched byViacomCBSNetworks U.K.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentViacomCBS Intl.