Thread regarding ViacomCBS layoffs

Chris’ takeover of the networks and brands has truly and completely changed the culture. It’s a shell of what it was. It’s amounted to him and his closest circle just lining their pockets while they watch it all burn.

I dont know which "Kent" Anonymous is talking about, but I doubt it's the one Where to Begin is referring to because that Kent hasn't worked at Viacom in years.

Chris is probably out with the Skydance deal, but I hate knowing he still got this far being a snake.

To share your experience about Chris McCarthy, reach out to Ben Mullen at the New York Times.

EMAIL: benjamin.mullin@nytimes.com

When reaching out, say that you want to be ON BACKGROUND, have your name/job title PROTECTED, and be ANONYMOUS (unless you don't). The New York Times does NOT divulge sources and all conversations are strictly confidential!

Ben covers Paramount and other media companies, with a special focus on exposing bad behavior. Sound familiar?

https://www.nytimes.com/by/benjamin-mullin

Ben also posted on Reddit last week looking for whistle blowers. The time is NOW!

https://www.reddit.com/r/ParamountGlobalLayoff/comments/1f4dm7o/hi_from_the_new_york_times/

Quick, someone turn the link to this article into a QR code, make it in a sticker and plaster them all over the VMAs.

Wait, that’s actually a good idea.

After working here for over 20 years, my passion for this company has been completely destroyed by the toxic, bully, and humiliating environment created by this BS leadership team. I’ve never encountered such bullies who are so lacking in experience and knowledge. It’s exhausting, and sometimes it feels like someone is punching me in the stomach. How the he-l did this happen??

I never thought I would dread Mondays, feeling anxious, humiliated, and depressed at the thought of interacting with these individuals. And I know I am not the only one feeling this way. You have to act like everything is fine, pretending to accept the disrespect, or you risk losing your job.

What do you think will happen first? Someone coming here to defend or refute ANYTHING said in this thread? Or me getting struck by lightni

ALL these should be taken to X platform to be exposed other wise it means nothing.

Former executive from production here. I was brought in over 3 years ago to fix the issues on this team. I quickly realized that the problem wasn't the team itself but the leadership. I was gone in less than a year. Good riddance.

FINALLY! I will never forget the day McCarthy took over the Entertainment group. It was basically like the day after Trump got elected.

The day Kent told the entire ENT group that he was leaving, people were in tears. Literally people were standing up to thank him. It was a real-life Oh Captain My Captain moment.

Chris is a toxic force with a team of lackeys ready to implement whatever nonsensical cruelty or id--tic ideas or arbitrary rules he has (Decks must be black on white, slides must be formatted into 3 columns...remember that nonsense???). I honestly feel bad for Nina, Liza (why has no one brought up Liza yet), and Amy---do they not know he will cut them the moment it serves him?

There are plenty of SVP level sycophants too; but they had a pinch more humanity or are just numb to it all.

The thing I just cant believe is that he has NEVER been caught in his lies. He and Liza live for the headlines but never had any follow through. (What happened to Some Good News? What happened to a movie every month? Why did they hire an SVP of TV movies and then lay them off 1 month later? ). Every time something hits the trades declaring it's #1, it's really just #1****among women in C counties who are 43-45 years old. It's ALL bullsh-t.

He is a toxic liar. He has turned his senior staff into instruments of his toxicity. I pray for all who must operate beneath him.

I'm a longtime freelancer on this team and can personally vouch for how awful MTV leadership is. The amount of mistreatment we've had to endure has been really difficult. Many of the hardest working people have been demoted or cast aside. No one has a voice anymore except the names mentioned in these comments.

Is this team taking over Nick and +? Is that the plan?

Nina Diaz is the least talented Development head in the business. She makes no project better. She diminishes everything she touches.

Someone should send this link to the Skydance Media leadership team.

As somebody who does not work on that team but does work with that team, I have to say, Chris McCarthy is possibly the worst executive at his level ever.

His management style is sloppy and chaotic. He’s always looking for validation from those around him and all they want to do is kiss the ring.

The powers that be at the company need to get rid of him before he causes any more destruction and trauma.

Don't you worry, he'll get his and be gone as soon as Skydance takes over.

I wouldn’t give him too much of the credit. I have never seen such weak leaders across the board here. The lack of experience that Vp’s + have is astonishing in streaming. They aren’t transparent mostly because they don’t have experience working in an organization that pushes performance and has standards for their roles. VP+ being involved in the weeds of things (because that’s their experience) is holding this org back so much. Not to mention the lack of responsibility managers and directors have. They aren’t trusted to even assign merit, advocate for promotions with the other orgs, etc. They just try to say what they would do and hope the VP+’s make the right decision. Once again they are stuck in the weeds at the team level. Hence why the culture is so blah.

I'm a current employee and person of color. I've been in therapy for two years because of Chris and his team. I've reported certain team members mentioned here to HR and nothing ever gets done...

Francesca and Tim get away with mu---r. Both are managed by Amy Campbell. Francesca is the laughing stock of the team and Tim is universally loathed.

I completely agree with everything said here. As a former employee who was there when Chris McCarthy first took over, it felt like the grim reaper had entered the room. The atmosphere shifted overnight—suddenly, you could feel the fear and tension hanging over everyone. It was as if the focus turned from fostering creativity and collaboration to creating a climate of control, distrust, and instability. The leadership team, under McCarthy, led with intimidation and treated employees as if they were disposable. The sense of toxicity was overwhelming, and it affected every aspect of our work lives. It’s shocking how much has been swept under the rug for so long, but it’s about time this behavior is called out.

Also, I have to say, for someone with a Harvard education, I’ve seen more impressive leadership skills at a middle school science fair.