Tom Ryan, a prominent figure in the streaming industry, is stepping down as President & CEO of Paramount Streaming following its merger with Skydance Media. This transition marks a significant shift in leadership as the company prepares for its next chapter.
Tom Ryan Steps Down as President & CEO of Paramount Streaming
Tom Ryan, President & CEO of Paramount Streaming, is departing the company following its merger with Skydance Media as the David Ellison company sets its new management team.
Advisory Role and Legacy
He will continue to support the team in an advisory role to Cindy Holland and the streaming leadership to ensure a smooth and successful transition. A trailblazer in the streaming industry, Ryan led the creation and growth of two of its most influential platforms — Pluto TV and Paramount+.
Merger Details
The FCC approved the merger on July 24, with a formal closure on August 4. As reported, Cindy Holland will be the Chair of Direct-to-Consumer.
Farewell Message
“After twelve phenomenal years entertaining the planet together, the time has come for me to say goodbye. I leave with deep gratitude and pride for a team I love and admire, and for Pluto TV and Paramount+, streaming services that started as bold ideas and have since grown into global powerhouses,” he said in a memo to staff obtained by Deadline.
Achievements at Pluto TV
As co-founder and CEO of Pluto TV, Tom launched the service in April 2014. The ad-supported streaming service turned a profit in 2020 and has remained in the black ever since, helping to pioneer and popularize the FAST category, now a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Pluto TV was acquired by Viacom in January 2019 for $340 million, with Viacom and Paramount merging later that year.
Growth of Paramount Streaming
Ryan has served as President & CEO of Paramount Streaming since October 2020, growing the division from $1.8 billion in 2020 to $7.6 billion in 2024. In the June 2025 quarter, the company’s last before the Skydance deal closed in August, Paramount Streaming grew revenue by 15% YoY to $2.2 billion (an annualized revenue run rate of $8.6 billion). The division increased global profit by over 500% to $157 million and is profitable for the first half of 2025.
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Launch of Paramount+
Ryan also led the launch of Paramount+ in March 2021 and has overseen its growth ever since, scaling the service to 78 million subscribers in just four years. Today, Paramount+ remains the fastest-growing SVOD in the U.S. since launch and one of the top four global SVOD platforms.
Future Endeavors
He is returning to his entrepreneurial roots and exploring opportunities to create and scale his next company. He currently serves as Chairman of Struck Studio, a startup venture studio he helped launch in 2022. Struck has launched over half a dozen AI-enabled startups across various industries and raised a $15 million Series A round from investors including Steve Case’s Revolution and USVP, the original lead investor in Pluto TV.
Board Memberships
Ryan serves on the boards of Telly and Smule and is an advisor to venture capital firms such as SignalFire and Felix Capital.
Final Thoughts from Ryan
Ryan’s memo:
Team,
After twelve phenomenal years entertaining the planet together, the time has come for me to say goodbye. I leave with deep gratitude and pride for a team I love and admire, and for Pluto TV and Paramount+, streaming services that started as bold ideas and have since grown into global powerhouses. This has been the journey of a lifetime…
