Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | News | October 27, 2025
Earlier this year, I noted that the face of Paramount+ — Taylor Sheridan, the creator behind Yellowstone and its many spin-offs — had stayed surprisingly quiet while Paramount navigated corporate changes and leadership shake-ups aimed at positioning Paramount for a potential sale to Skydance.
I wish I could say that’s why Sheridan decided to move from Paramount to NBCUniversal in one of the most unexpected industry shifts in years. But it’s not. Paramount+ is Taylor Sheridan. He drives nearly all of the platform’s major scripted programming outside of the Star Trek universe: Yellowstone, its many spin-offs, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, Landman, Lioness — essentially anything filmed on his Texas ranch.
Starting in March, Sheridan begins an eight-year film partnership with Universal, and in 2028 — when his current deal with Paramount expires — he’ll launch a five-year television contract with NBCUniversal. That means Peacock, a streaming service that has struggled to define its original programming, finally lands a major creative powerhouse.
According to Matthew Belloni at Puck, who broke the story, this move isn’t primarily about money — it’s about appreciation. Sheridan reportedly felt undervalued at Paramount as questions arose about the budgets for his shows and his preference for filming everything in Texas. Following internal restructuring, some of his trusted executives also departed. Sheridan is said to admire Universal’s long-standing support for filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and Jordan Peele, and TV legends like Lorne Michaels and Dick Wolf — company he clearly wants to keep.
What does this mean for Paramount+? The service still owns all of Sheridan’s existing shows and can continue them for years to come, even if he’s no longer the creative lead. But much of the platform’s appeal has been tied to Sheridan’s work. Without Sheridan’s influence, Paramount+ feels hollow — left with aging IP, a few dependable hits, and … the revamped CBS News.
Peacock, meanwhile, finally looks like it’s gaining momentum — and more importantly, ambition. Instead of relying solely on the NFL, the Olympics, The Traitors, and SNL, the streamer seems ready to invest in real storytelling.
