Nina L. Diaz, a prominent figure in the television industry, is set to leave Paramount as the Skydance merger approaches completion. Her departure marks the end of an era filled with significant contributions to content and programming.
Nina L. Diaz to Depart Paramount Following Skydance Merger
EXCLUSIVE: Veteran MTV Networks executive Nina L. Diaz, who most recently served as President of Content and Chief Creative Officer for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, will be leaving when Skydance‘s pending acquisition of Paramount Global is completed on August 7.
Diaz made the announcement in an internal memo, a copy of which was obtained by Deadline.
“Change, as we know, is part of this business — and part of growth. I’m stepping forward with deep gratitude and high spirits, knowing that the impact we’ve made here will keep echoing,” Diaz wrote in the email, highlighting her contributions from The Osbournes and Love & Hip-Hop to Landman, Jon Stewart’s return to The Daily Show, and the resurgence of Yellowjackets.
Career Highlights and Contributions
Diaz is departing alongside her longtime boss Chris McCarthy, co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment, whose exit was revealed last week. Since returning to MTV Networks in 2014, Diaz has seen her role expand through a series of promotions, most recently to President of Content and Chief Creative Officer in 2023.
In her role, she oversaw the development and production of over 100 series annually across MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, and Showtime, including the Yellowstone franchise, MobLand, Lioness, Emily in Paris, South Park, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Dexter: Original Sin, Dexter: Resurrection, The Agency, and The Daily Show.
Legacy in Unscripted Programming
With an extensive background in unscripted content, Diaz has been a seasoned executive and producer for over 25 years. She began her career at MTV, developing signature shows of the early 2000s such as My Super Sweet 16, Cribs, and The Osbournes.
After a stint as an independent producer on series like VH1’s Mob Wives and Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey, Diaz returned to VH1 in 2014, eventually becoming EVP and Head of Reality Programming. During her tenure, she transformed shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race, Jersey Shore, and The Challenge into global franchises.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
A leading Latina executive and the highest-ranked woman of color within Paramount’s TV programming operation, Diaz has focused on investing in BIPOC and women creators. She launched a joint venture with producer Lashan Browning to create the production company Antoinette Media and played a key role in establishing an industry-wide coalition with USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative to develop the Mental Health Media Guide.
Diaz’s Farewell Memo
Team—
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After an incredible run, I’ll be wrapping my time at Paramount as part of this next chapter of change. It’s hard to put into words what it’s meant to lead, collaborate, and dream big with this powerhouse team — across every brand, every story, every moment we’ve built together.
We redefined what global hits look like — from building out the rich, expansive worlds of Taylor Sheridan’s universe, with Yellowstone, Lioness, and Landman… to launching global sensations like MobLand and The Agency.
We took Showtime to new heights — reigniting The Chi, turning Yellowjackets into a cultural phenomenon, and resurrecting Dexter to record-breaking numbers.
Thank you for being part of all of it — the bold swings, the big wins, the creative risks, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s been a true pleasure to be in the trenches with you.
With love & respect,
Nina
