Paramount Television Studios Promotes Jenna Santoianni, Expands Cheryl Bosnak’s Oversight

Plus: Erika Kirkwood elevated to lead business affairs, Erin Calhoun adds Paramount+ communications duties

Paramount Television Studios has promoted Jenna Santoianni to executive vice president, which means she will now oversee its day-to-day operations under President Nicole Clemens. Additionally, Cheryl Bosnak’s role has been expanded to oversee current programming at Paramount+, also reporting to Clemens.

Santoianni will continue to lead development at the studio. Bosnak is executive vice president and head of current programming for the studio and Paramount+.

And that’s not all: Erika Kirkwood has been promoted to executive vice president and head of business affairs for Paramount Television Studios (PTVS), and Showtime Networks’ Erin Calhoun is now going to oversee communications at the studio as well. Going forward, Calhoun’s title will be executive vice president at both Showtime Networks Inc. and PTVS.

“Jenna, Cheryl and Erika have each earned these elevated and expanded roles through their indispensable and pivotal leadership, and I am truly pleased to see them advance in our company,” Clemens said in a statement on Tuesday. “Paramount Television Studios has grown rapidly over the past two years with their strategic guidance, and I am confident that we can continue to make ground-breaking, compelling television with this incredible group of executives.”

Below are the official bios for each of the women, in Paramount’s own words.

In her previous position as executive vice president and head of development, Santoianni has been instrumental in developing the growth of the studio, building a team of nine creative executives and developing across PTVS series. Most recently, Santoianni oversaw the production of the critically acclaimed series “Made For Love,” which is currently filming its second season. Santoianni also oversaw production of the highly anticipated limited series “Station Eleven,” also for HBO Max, and “Joe Pickett,” based on the popular novels by C.J. Box, which will air on Spectrum Originals and then on Paramount+ in its second window. Currently in production under Santoianni is “The Offer” for Paramount+, which recounts the making of the classic Paramount Pictures film, “The Godfather.” Upcoming for Santoianni on Paramount+ is musical event series “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,” a prequel to the iconic Paramount Pictures film, “Grease,” and “American Gigolo,” a present-day reimagining of the original film starring Jon Bernthal, on Showtime. Santoianni came to Paramount Television Studios in 2019 from Sonar Entertainment, where she led the television division and oversaw the development and production of more than 40 scripted series including “Mr. Mercedes,” “Das Boot,” and “Lorena.”

Bosnak joined Paramount Television Studios in 2019 and built the studio’s current programming department. She has overseen the production of hit Apple TV+ series “Defending Jacob” and “Home Before Dark,” as well as the final season of beloved Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” and the second season of the celebrated “Haunting” anthology series, “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” also for Netflix. Bosnak also supervised production of the third season of the Amazon Prime Video popular series “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” which will start production on its fourth season this year. In addition, Bosnak is overseeing production of the sweeping drama series, “Shantaram,” starring Charlie Hunnam, for Apple TV+, as well as the second season of “Made For Love” for HBO Max. Prior to Paramount Television Studios, Bosnak worked at Disney ABC for 14 years, most recently serving as vice president of current programming. During that time, she oversaw the creative content and production of comedies and dramas including “Modern Family,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Desperate Housewives” and “The Rookie.” 

Kirkwood is a seasoned Paramount Television Studios executive who has been with the company since 2016, most recently serving as senior vice president of business affairs. Kirkwood served as point negotiator across “Home Before Dark” for Apple TV+, “Made for Love” for HBO Max and upcoming series “The Offer” for Paramount+ and “Long Slow Exhale” for Spectrum Originals (with a second window on BET). Kirkwood has also led negotiations for some of the studio’s biggest and most complex rights deals, including “Time Bandits” for Apple TV+ and a reboot of “Little House on the Prairie” currently in development. Prior to PTVS, Kirkwood worked in business affairs at United Talent Agency. 

As executive vice president of communications for Showtime Networks Inc., Calhoun has been responsible for the strategic planning and execution of all global public and media relations initiatives for Showtime. She oversees programming publicity, media and talent relations, events, photography, awards, film festivals, philanthropy, sports and corporate branding and business press outreach, as well as serving as the company’s communications liaison with parent company ViacomCBS Inc. Calhoun came to Showtime from NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, where she served as vice president of corporate communications. Prior to that, Calhoun was vice president of communications at Discovery Communications, where she performed similar corporate PR functions while managing communications teams in both New York and Silver Spring, Maryland.

Comments