Paramount+ Names Apple TV+ Exec Chris Parnell EVP Originals

Chris Parnell, a seasoned television executive, has left Apple TV+ to join Paramount+ as executive VP of originals, where he will oversee development and production of original content. Parnell brings extensive experience from his nearly 20-year tenure at Sony Pictures Television, where he rose to co-president, as well as his five years at Apple TV+, where he worked on notable projects such as Dark Matter, Neuromancer, Bad Monkey, For All Mankind, and the immersive content for Apple Vision Pro, including the Bono documentary. At Paramount+, he will report to Jane Wiseman, the new head of originals, and is expected to leverage his passion for comic book and genre franchises to expand Paramount+’s offerings, including the Star Trek franchise. This move represents a significant talent acquisition for Paramount+, which recently merged with Skydance and is actively recruiting top industry talent to bolster its streaming platform. Although his departure raises questions about future Apple TV+ originals, industry observers suggest it is unlikely to have a lasting impact. Parnell’s transition aligns with Paramount’s broader strategy under new leadership to strengthen its direct-to-consumer business and original programming.