ViacomCBS International Studio will now be called Paramount Television International Studios (PTIS) and be led by Maria Hyriacou.
Paramount Global unveiled a new name and strategy for its international studios.
The company’s studios outside the US will now be called Paramount Television International Studios (PTIS). That name replaces the ViacomCBS International Studio (VIS) brand that the company had kept following the 2019 merger of Viacom and CBS, as revealed by THR.
The division will be led by Maria Kyriacou, president, broadcast & studios, international markets at Paramount Global, and focus on “creating premium scripted content that reflects the cultures and experiences of our diverse international audiences,” looking for shows that “drive acquisitions and engagement for Paramount+” and “travel more consistently across the territories.”
The operation is set to have a closer relationship and alignment with the wider Paramount Studios organization.
“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+,” said the executive.
“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+.”
As part of Paramount’s global content group, led by George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS and chief content officer of news and sports for Paramount+, “we will operate as one aligned business, adopting the best practice and discipline from our U.S. counterparts, paired with the ability to support local adaptations of global franchises,” Kyriacou highlighted. “And, as part of Pam (Kaufman)’s international markets organization, we will work in lock step with the Paramount+ team to ensure we support the growth of the service in markets worldwide.”
The PTIS pipeline of original international series already includes the likes of Spider and Uno Para Morir from Latin America, The Gold, Sexy Beast and A Gentleman in Moscow from the U.K., The Chemistry of Death from Germany, as well as Miss Fallaci from Italy. Building on that, the division has a growing focus on France and more markets worldwide, management highlighted.
The company also unveiled extended roles for its staff. In regards to Latin America, Dario Turovelzky’s role as SVP, broadcast & studios, original Spanish and Portuguese content includes expanded oversight of the Latin American studio, as well as Paramount’s broadcast businesses across the region.
