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Paramount Execs Tell Staff That Africa Offices and Channels May Close Amid Strategy Review (Exclusive)
Paramount Execs Tell Staff That Africa Offices and Channels May Close Amid Strategy Review (Exclusive)-August 2024
Aug 24, 2025 11:38 AM

Paramount Globals Africa offices may close, local channels may be shuttered, and staffers roles could be impacted, company executives told employees in the region on Tuesday, sources familiar with the situation tell The Hollywood Reporter.

The company has been prioritizing investments in its growing streaming business and core global content as it navigates shifts in audience behavior and the macro-economic environment. As part of that, it is reviewing its international pay TV strategy and considering adjustments to its linear channel portfolio in international markets, with a focus on cable brands. Management has also signaled a focus on businesses and regions with the most opportunity for revenue growth. Tuesdays news comes as Paramount continues to wait for FCC approval ofSkydance Medias dealto acquire it. THR understands that Paramount has fewer than 100 employees in Africa between its offices in Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria.

We are at a point in our journey where we are facing immense industry disruption, Monde Twala and Craig Paterson, co-general managers of Paramount Africa, said in a staff memo obtained byTHR. Our team is not immune to potential changes as our organization evaluates its pay TV strategy and local channel footprint here in Africa.

In June, Paramountunveiled further U.S. workforce cuts to the tune of 3.5 percent, following a 15 percent reduction last year. As of the end of 2024, Paramount Global had 18,600 employees worldwide. Co-CEOsGeorge Cheeks,Chris McCarthyandBrian Robbins said in a June memo that the focus was on U.S. headcount but the moves may also result in some impacts to our workforce outside the U.S. over time.

Twala and Paterson acknowledged in their staff memo: Today was incredibly difficult. We want you to know your greatness is seen. We reach out with a heavy heart, but also with immense pride. Your dedication to excellence, creativity and passion for leveraging the power of our content have been the driving force behind our many accomplishments.

They concluded: We understand the coming weeks may be tough and feel unsettling. Through it all, please know your efforts are valued beyond measure.

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