Paramount Global rebrands its international studios operation

Paramount Global’s international studios operation, formerly known as VIS, has changed its name to Paramount Television International Studios, and will be headed by Maria Kyriacou, President of Paramount Broadcast & Studios International, the company’s studios business outside the United States.

The mission for Paramount Global’s studios operations across markets will now concentrate on high-end scripted content that can drive growth at Paramount+. “Our goal is to deliver on the strategic priorities of our business and accelerate growth for Paramount+, creating premium scripted content that reflects the cultures and experiences of our diverse international audiences,”  Kyriacou said in an internal memo.

“Working in close partnership with the Paramount+ team, our content strategy is clear – we are looking for shows that drive acquisitions and engagement for Paramount. Our shows already drive strong local performance and with the closer global partnership we will gain from this new organizational structure, I am confident these shows will travel more consistently across the territories and drive the success of Paramount+,”  the executive added.

Maria Kyriacou was President of International at ITV Studios before being hired by what was then Viacom in late 2019, before its merger with CBS closed, as President of UK, Northern and Eastern Europe, based in London. In 2020, post-merger, her role changed to President of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia due to a regional cluster organization. Last year, the company’s new mandate was for a closer alignment of global teams and streamlined operations: global mindset, local execution. That is when Kyriacou started overseing studios and broadcast operations outside the United States.