Nickelodeon Animation Studios To Become CBS Studios Label With Alec Botnick As President; Ashley Kaplan Segues To Consulting

CBS Studios announced on Tuesday that Nickelodeon Animation Studios will become an official label within its structure, with Alec Botnick appointed as President of the newly integrated unit. This strategic move, part of the ongoing consolidation of CBS and Paramount cable assets under TV Media Chair George Cheeks, follows the similar integration of BET Studios in December. The transition marks a significant reorganization of Paramount Global's television production assets, placing the iconic animation studio under the leadership of CBS Studios President David Stapf. The integration represents the latest step in streamlining operations following the merger of Viacom and CBS, which reunited the companies in 2019. By bringing Nickelodeon Animation under the CBS Studios umbrella, Paramount Global aims to create greater operational efficiency and strengthen its animation production capabilities. The move consolidates creative and business operations, potentially allowing for better resource allocation and cross-studio collaboration on animated content for various platforms, including streaming services like Paramount+. Leadership changes accompany this structural shift. Alec Botnick, who previously served as Executive Vice President of Current Series and Development at Nickelodeon Animation, will now oversee the studio as its President. Meanwhile, Ashley Kaplan, the former Executive Vice President of Production and Development at Nickelodeon Animation, will transition to a consulting role. This reorganization reflects broader industry trends toward consolidation as media companies seek to optimize their operations in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape, where animated content has proven particularly valuable for attracting and retaining subscribers across demographic groups.