Paramount Loses Top TV Creator Taylor Sheridan in Blockbuster Deal

According to reports, the television industry is experiencing a major shift as acclaimed creator Taylor Sheridan has closed a long-term film and television deal with NBCUniversal. The massive 5-year overall deal, set to begin on January 1, 2029, will see Sheridan depart from his current overall TV deal with Paramount, which was set to run through 2028.

Sheridan's departure is a significant loss for Paramount, as the network had made it clear that he was their top creator and someone they were looking to keep in the fold for the long term. However, the regime change at Paramount, including the departure of co-CEO Chris McCarthy, who was directly involved in Sheridan's business, appears to have played a role in the decision.

Alongside Sheridan, his close collaborator David Glasser and his 101 Studios are also moving to NBCUniversal. Glasser has signed a first-look film and TV deal with the new studio, which will begin in March 2026, after his company fulfills its current obligations to Paramount.

The news of Sheridan's departure is being described as a "shocker" in the industry, underscoring the high stakes and intensity of the ongoing talent wars that have been a defining feature of the new era in the entertainment landscape. This move comes on the heels of Skydance's acquisition of Paramount Global, which saw the company poach the Stranger Things creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, from their longtime home at Netflix.