EXCLUSIVE: Kelly Kahl, one of many longest-tenured and most revered prime executives in broadcast TV, will go away his put up as President of CBS Leisure on the finish of the yr after 5 and a half years in his present position and 26 years complete on the community.
George Cheeks, President & CEO, CBS and CCO, Information & Sports activities, Paramount+, and Kahl simply introduced the departure internally in separate memos, copies of which had been obtained by Deadline. The transfer is a part of “a restructuring and streamlining of management at CBS Leisure,” Cheeks mentioned.
“Kelly is with out peer within the broadcast tv enterprise,” Cheeks wrote in his word. “He’s the architect of primetime schedules which have made CBS #1 for 19 of the final 20 seasons. He’s the masterful and fearless scheduler who moved Survivor and CSI to Thursday, altering the panorama of that evening after a decade of NBC dominance.”
Earlier than taking over expanded duties as President of CBS Leisure in June 2017, Kahl oversaw scheduling for the community for 21 years. CBS has remained probably the most watched broadcast community for the previous 14 seasons (and 19 of the final 20 seasons). It once more is main the pack this fall with 17 of the 25 most-watched leisure packages of the season to this point. A few of the hit collection CBS added whereas Kahl was President of Leisure included FBI and spinoffs FBI: Most Wished and FBI: Worldwide, The Equalizer, NCIS: Hawai’i, and new breakout Hearth Nation on the drama aspect in addition to comedies The Neighborhood, Bob ♥ Abishola and Ghosts.
A few of the key scheduling strikes he made in his earlier position throughout a time the place a scheduling determination might make or break a present, included transferring Survivor and CSI to Thursday to efficiently tackle NBC’s Should See TV, in addition to the relocation of The Massive Bang Concept to Thursday. Kahl additionally had scheduling oversight for The CW and served on the board of Pop.
“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to work at CBS, America’s most watched community. (i’ll by no means get sick of listening to that.),” Kahl mentioned in his farewell message to employees. “I’ve lived a TV fan’s dream to work with probably the most gifted writers, producers, and actors in tv. most significantly, I’ve cherished being within the trenches alongside all of you — the best executives and workers in present enterprise.”
Kahl ended his firm e mail with an invite to everybody to affix him for a drink at his bar Underground Pub & Grill in Hermosa Seaside.
Kahl had been Senior EVP, CBS Primetime, since 2005. He joined CBS in January 1996 as VP, Scheduling, CBS Leisure, following three years as Director, Community Analysis at Warner Bros. Tv. He joined Lorimar Tv in 1990 (earlier than Lorimar and Warner Bros. Tv mixed operations) as a analysis intern and shortly rose by means of the ranks as a analysis analyst after which supervisor, earlier than assuming accountability for the analysis division in 1993.
Information of Kahl’s exit comes on the identical day as mum or dad firm Paramount International introduced a brand new spherical of layoffs, largely targeted within the advert gross sales group.
Right here is Cheeks’ memo:
Crew – I would like you to concentrate on a big transition that’s occurring at the moment. As a part of a restructuring and streamlining of management at CBS Leisure, Kelly Kahl, our esteemed colleague and president of the division, shall be leaving CBS by the top of yr.
Beneath is the word that Kelly despatched to his crew this morning. We’ll have extra details about the brand new management construction very quickly, however proper now I actually need to deal with Kelly and the unimaginable legacy he leaves at this community.
Kelly is with out peer within the broadcast tv enterprise. He’s the architect of primetime schedules which have made CBS #1 for 19 of the final 20 seasons. He’s the masterful and fearless scheduler who moved Survivor and CSI to Thursday, altering the panorama of that evening after a decade of NBC dominance.
As Leisure president, he launched hit exhibits resembling The Neighborhood, The Equalizer, NCIS: Hawai’i, three FBIs, Hearth Nation and Ghosts and has been the passionate steward of CBS’ hit actuality franchises. Extra broadly, Kelly has been a fierce advocate for the vitality of broadcast tv whereas being a gentle and revered community chief by means of the great instances in addition to turbulent durations.
With out query, Kelly has devoted the final 26 years to constructing CBS and leaves it positioned for even additional success. He has been humble, gracious and beneficiant along with his friends each step of the best way.
On a private word, I need to thank Kelly for being a valued colleague and sounding board over the previous two and a half years.
Please be part of me in heartily thanking Kelly for all of his contributions to CBS and in wishing him all one of the best sooner or later.
George
Kahl’s word:
cbs mates,
the wondrous and inconceivable journey that began for me right here 26 years in the past has come to the end line. i’ll be leaving CBS on the finish of this yr.
it has been an absolute honor and privilege to work at CBS, america’s most watched community. (i’ll by no means get sick of listening to that.) i’ve lived a TV fan’s dream to work with probably the most gifted writers, producers, and actors in tv. most significantly, i’ve cherished being within the trenches alongside all of you — the best executives and workers in present enterprise. i need to thank each single individual with whom i labored on your nice efforts, creativity, and professionalism, all of which helped make this super, pioneering community #1 for almost 20 straight years. this place is particular and so are its folks.
i began right here as a scheduler once we had been in third place and cherished battling into 1st, however i’m particularly happy with our accomplishments throughout my run as leisure president over the previous 5 years; we delivered tangible enhancements in range and inclusion in entrance of and behind the digicam, held our groups collectively and targeted through the pandemic, and launched quite a few hit collection that maintained CBS #1 standing.
i’ve been lucky to develop robust friendships with lots of you and can cherish recollections of nice adventures at upfronts, press excursions, location shoots, last fours and tremendous bowls. i hope and belief these bonds will proceed going ahead.
my absolute best to all of you. it’s been a powerful experience and that i’m excited to see what’s subsequent. till then, i hope to see you on the underground…
i’m shopping for.
fondly
kelly