Thursday, February 27, 2025

Michelle Trachtenberg, 'Harriet the Spy', 'The Adventures of Pete & Pete' Actor, Passes Away Aged 39

Michelle Trachtenberg, the actor best known for film and television roles including Harriet the Spy, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has sadly passed away. She was 39.

Michelle Trachtenberg
Jemal Countess/Getty Images

She was found unconscious and unresponsive in her Manhattan apartment on Wednesday, February 26, according to the New York City police department. According to the New York Post, which first reported the news, she had recently undergone a liver transplant. Trachtenberg’s cause of death has not been confirmed, but the NYPD said criminality was not suspected.

In a statement, NYPD said that officers responded to a 911 call just after 8 a.m. and Trachtenberg was pronounced dead by emergency medical workers, who also responded to the scene.

“It is with great sadness to confirm that Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away,” her publicist Gary Mantoosh said in a statement. “The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time.”

Born in New York on October. 11, 1985, Trachtenberg began acting at a young age. She was 3 years old when she began appearing in commercials and soon after landed her first TV credit, as Nona F. Mecklenberg, the daughter of Iggy Pop's James "Pop" Mecklenberg character, on the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete, which aired in the mid 1990s. By age 10, she scored her first starring film role in 1996’s Harriet the Spy, in which she played the eponymous aspiring sleuth opposite Rosie O’Donnell and J. Smith-Cameron. The movie served as Nickelodeon Movies' first feature film,

Trachtenberg went on to play Dawn Summers on the teen drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which ran on the WB in the early aughts. Trachtenberg joined the popular show in its fifth season as the younger sister of Sarah Michelle Geller’s Buffy Summers and remained on the series through its seventh and final season in 2003.

She found further success on another teen drama, portraying the agent of chaos known as Georgina Sparks on Gossip Girl, which ran from 2007 to 2012. Trachtenberg’s character, a diabolical Manhattan socialite, regularly found herself feuding, or blackmailing, with Blake Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen and Leighton Meester’s Blair Waldorf. She briefly reprised her role on HBO Max’s Gossip Girl reboot in 2022.

Michelle Trachtenberg and Rosie O'Donnell in 'Harriet the Spy' (1996)
Michelle Trachtenberg and Rosie O'Donnell in 'Harriet the Spy' (1996). Photo: Getty

Trachtenberg has a long list of genre-spanning credits on the big and small screen. Her film roles include 2004’s Eurotrip, the raunchy teen comedy that popularized the fictional song “Scotty Doesn’t Know,” and 2005’s Ice Princess, a comparatively wholesome film about a nerdy high schooler with a passion for figure skating. She also starred in 2009’s 17 Again with Zac Efron and Matthew Perry as well as episodes of TV shows such as Clarissa Explains It AllLaw & Order, All My Children, Six Feet Under and Weeds.

In 2021, Trachtenberg spoke out in support of her fellow Buffy actor Charisma Carpenter who alleged the series creator Joss Whedon subjected Carpenter to “inappropriate and cruel behavior on set.” Trachtenberg reposted a statement from Geller with the caption, “I am brave enough now as a 35-year-old woman to repost this. Because this must. Be known. As a teenager. With his not appropriate behavior. Very. Not. Appropriate. There was a rule. Saying. He’s not allowed in a room alone with Michelle again.” Whedon has denied the allegations.

Following the news of Trachtenberg's death, the actor's Harriet the Spy costar, Rosie O'Donnell said in a statement that hearing what happened was "heartbreaking."

"I loved her very much. She struggled the last few years. I wish I could have helped," she added.

Michelle's The Adventures of Pete & Pete co-star Daniel Tamberelli (Little Pete) also paid tribute to the late actor on Instagram.

Captioning a photo of their time on the Nickelodeon show, Danny said: "We grew up learning how to make people laugh together. More importantly, we learned to make each other laugh and pull pranks on everyone. We were doing improv when it was still called playing pretend to get laughs. She was a master of the clothespin game, tagging any and everyone she could. She once got upset when I got my 1st bass on set because I wouldn’t hang out during lunch. She hid the cable so I couldn’t play through the amp. I got the message. She was a bright light, firecracker and caring person who spent a lot of time and effort advocating for people who needed a louder voice. Michelle was someone to look up to in this business and to the general world at large. She will be missed. All my love, sympathy and compassion to Lana, Irene and the rest of her family and friends."

Another cast mate, J. Smith-Cameron spoke out in a statement on Feb. 26. "I played Mrs. Welch, Harriet’s mother in Harriet the Spy. Michelle had been on a Nickelodeon show called Adventures of Pete & Pete but this seemed to be her first lead film role. She was so excited," she recalled.

"Her natural ebullient nature was ratcheted up into giddiness as she tried to learn how to handle all that came with that. She was a very charming little girl," the actress continued. "Years later we found each other on social media and connected briefly. She was always very warm toward me. I feel very shocked and unsettled to hear of her passing."

Kenan Thompson also reflected on his bond with the fallen star. The Saturday Night Live star paid tribute to his fellow Nickelodeon alum on Instagram.  

“Our first Nick movie star has departed us!!” Kenan captioned the touching post, which features a throwback video from the 1999 Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards. In the video, Michelle acts as a wrestling commentator during the All That star’s fight against the late Randy “Macho Man” Savage. “She was my friend and now she rests!! Check on your people!!!” 

Kenan also shared a sweet photo of him posed with the late actor in the early days of their career. The two got their start on Nickelodeon in the late ‘90s, 

The actor's final Instagram post was seven days ago, where she shared a throwback of herself wanting to "look like naughty #tinkerbell."

Michelle's ex-boyfriend, Animorphs alum Shawn Ashmore, whom she dated between 2004 and 2006, penned a tribute on social media

"Incredibly sad to hear about Michelle’s passing," he wrote. "She was an incredible person and I will always remember the years we spent together fondly. She was loving, quirky and would never pass up a law and order SVU marathon:)"

He added, "My condolences to her mother Lana and sister Irene! This is an incredible loss!"

Smith-Cameron, her co-star on Harriet the Spy, once described a preteen Trachtenberg as “this very appealing, bubbly, very beautiful child star from Nickelodeon.”

“It was like everything was taking off for her. But she was sweet about it,” Smith-Cameron told Vulture in a 2021 interview about filming the kid-friendly movie. “I just remember her taking it very seriously. A true professional.”

with Michelle leaving a memorable impression on two of the network’s original projects: 1993’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete and 1996’s Harriet the Spy. Michelle later branched out to other shows in the early 2000s, snagging titular roles in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

Following the tragic news of Michelle's untimely passing, many of the people she had worked with over the years paid tribute to the late actor:

"Michelle was one of a kind," said fellow Gossip Girl alum Chace Crawford. "I remember her coming on set for the first time and just absolutely owning it. She was a force of nature and just so so unapologetically funny and magnetic.. remembering those years with a big smile. Just a terrible loss. Love you."

"My heart is heavy today," Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor James Marsters wrote on Instagram. "We have lost a beautiful soul. Michelle was fiercely intelligent, howlingly funny, and a very talented person. She died much too young, and leaves behind scores of people who knew and loved her."

James continued, "My heart goes out to her family who are good people, and are suffering the greatest loss anyone could bear. I hope everyone can give them space to heal in this most difficult time. Godspeed Michelle. You are missed."

Sex and the City alum Kim Cattrall wrote of her Ice Princess costar, "Rest in peace sweet Michelle."

"I'm so sorry your bright light died so young," Emma Caulfield wrote of her former costar. "Our Buffy family lost a little sister today... Rest in peace lovely Mish Mish. You were loved."

Halloweentown alum Kimberly J. Brown expressed her grief with a simple broken heart emoji. 

"I'm heartbroken to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," Nickelodeon alum Melissa Joan Hart wrote on Instagram, alognside a throwback clip from Clarissa Explains It All. "So young, so talented and so sweet! Here is a fun scene from when she was on #ClarissaExplainsItAll. I think this was about 1992 and the episode was an idea I had about babysitting a total nightmare. But Michelle was nothing like her character and even this young, we got along wonderfully. #gonetoosoon #RIP #GodBlesstheFunnyPeople".

Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage, Michelle Trachtenberg, Tribute
Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images


“We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing," Gossip Girl creators and showrunners Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage shared with NBC News. "Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented. Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons."

The pair continued, "She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.” 

"Oh Michy…," Melissa Gilbert wrote on Instagram in tribute to her A Holiday for Love costar. "And we lived so close to one another…..my heart aches for your family and all those who loved you so… @michelletrachtenberg #ripsweetgirl"

Ed Westwick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Gossip Girl, Tributes
Jamie McCarthy/WireImage


"So sad to hear of the passing of @michelletrachtenberg," Gossip Girl alum Ed Westick wrote on his Feb. 25 Instagram Story. "Sending prayers."

He closed his message with the praying hands and white heart emojis. 

"So very sad..." Michelle's Buffy The Vampire Slayer costar David Boreanaz wrote on social media of her passing. "Horrible News. RIP and prayers to her and her family."

Gossip Girl alum Kevin Zegers—who played Damien Dalgaard in the teen drama—described Michelle's passing a "loss."

"Michelle was tough and a force," he added in his Instagram post. "Just a kid, so sad."

Angel alum J. August Richards offered his support to those closest to the actress, writing on Instagram, "Just heard about the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg… So young… My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. What a beautiful spirit who left an amazing legacy… Rest In Peace, dear one…❤️🙏🏾."

Gossip Girl alum Blake Lively also joined in the ongoing tributes for her co-star Michelle Trachtenberg.

Lively posted a lengthy statement to her Instagram Story in remembrance of the actor, who played Georgina Sparks alongside Lively’s Serena van der Woodsen on the late 2000s CW teen soap.

“This is the first day I met Michelle,” Lively captioned a still of them in Gossip Girl. “She was electricity. You knew when she entered a room because the vibration changed. Everything she did, she did 200%. She laughed the fullest at someone’s joke, she faced authority head on when she felt something was wrong, she cared deeply about her work, she was proud to be a part of this community and industry as painful as it could be sometimes, she was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”

Lively’s statement continued, “Time passes. You take for granted that you get the chance to see an old friend. To paraphrase, the real tragedies in life are the ones that blindside you on an idle Tuesday.”

R.I.P. Michelle Trachtenberg, October. 11, 1985 - February. 26, 2025.

Originally published: February 26, 2025 at 23:15 GMT.

Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for February 27, 2025 | Nickelodeon

Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for February 27, 2025 | Nickelodeon

Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for February 27, 2025 | Nickelodeon

Stream the classic Rugrats series on Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com!

Rugrats, provided to Creators Syndicate by Nickelodeon, based off the popular animated television series has been created for children and family's to laugh and enjoy together.

Follow these comics and their take on real episodes of the show and their own spin on hilarious adventures.

Read more Rugrats comic strips!: https://www.creators.com/features/rugrats

More Nick: Paramount+ Renews 'Rugrats' For Season 3!

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Super Duper Bunny League Meets A New Superhero! | New Series | Nickelodeon | Nicktoons

Super Duper Bunny League Meets A New Superhero! | New Series | Nickelodeon | Nicktoons


The Super Duper Bunny League is in for a surprise when they meet a brand-new superhero! 💥 But is this hero a friend, a rival, or something in between?

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Harriet the Spy: ON SET in 1996 With Michelle Trachtenberg and Rosie O’Donnell | Entertainment Tonight

Harriet the Spy: ON SET in 1996 With Michelle Trachtenberg and Rosie O’Donnell | Entertainment Tonight


Michelle Trachtenberg and Rosie O’Donnell chatted with ET behind the scenes of the Nickelodeon favorite Harriet the Spy. The movie’s dynamic duo couldn’t stop joking around with each other on the set in these interviews from 1996. Young Trachtenberg revealed she was already a lover of tomato sandwiches -- just like the iconic character from the children’s book! ET also chatted with Vanessa Chester and Gregory Smith, who joked about which of them was the most immature.

MobLand: Paramount+ Unveils Title and Premiere Date for Guy Ritchie’s New Global Organized Crime Series

Paramount+ Unveils Title and Premiere Date for Guy Ritchie’s New Global Organized Crime Series

MobLand Set to Premiere on Sunday, March 30

Starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren, MobLand is Commissioned by Paramount+ and Produced in Association with MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios

Paramount Mountain

Feb 26, 2025 – Today Paramount+ revealed the title and premiere date for its highly anticipated new global organized crime series, MobLand. The series from Guy Ritchie will exclusively premiere Sunday, March 30 on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia. A global rollout will take place later this year. Try Paramount+ for FREE at ParamountPlus.com.

MobLand features a star-studded cast, including Tom Hardy (Venom: The Last Dance), Pierce Brosnan (Die Another Day), Paddy Considine (House Of The Dragon), Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey), Lara Pulver (Da Vinci's Demons), Anson Boon (Pistol), Mandeep Dhillon (CSI: Vegas), Jasmine Jobson (Top Boy), Geoff Bell (Top Boy), Daniel Betts (Fate: The Winx Saga), Lisa Dwan (Blackshore), Emily Barber (Industry) and Helen Mirren (The Queen).

As the head of an organized crime family, MobLand centers around Brosnan’s character who is fighting for power within a global crime syndicate.

MobLand is produced in association with MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

The series is executive produced by Keith Cox, Nina L. Diaz, David C. Glasser, Guy Ritchie, Jez Butterworth, Ronan Bennett, Kris Thykier, Ivan Atkinson, Tom Hardy, Dean Baker, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin and Bob Yari.

***

About Paramount+

Paramount+, part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment and news brands, is a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, combining live sports, breaking news and A Mountain of Entertainment™. The streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, the service's cornerstone plan, is also home to SHOWTIME® content, including scripted hits and critically acclaimed nonfiction projects and films. This premium plan includes unmatched events and sports programming through the local live CBS stream, including golf, basketball and more. All Paramount+ subscribers have streaming access to CBS News Network for 24/7 news and CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com, and follow @ParamountPlus on social media.

About SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks

SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks is a global network of media assets that reaches over one billion people in more than 180 countries featuring some of the most iconic brands in entertainment including SHOWTIME®, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount Network among others – and, its studios arm which produces 120+ series annually, including some of today’s biggest hits such as Yellowstone, YELLOWJACKETS, Emily in Paris, 1883, 1923, George & Tammy, South Park, TULSA KING, Rupaul’s Drag Race, The Challenge and Jersey Shore, to name a few.

About 101 Studios

101 Studios is a global entertainment company dedicated to the acquisition, financing, development, production and distribution of high-caliber, creator-driven content. With an unmatched television slate partnered with outstanding filmmakers and talent, 101 Studios productions include the award-winning series Yellowstone, GEORGE & TAMMY, 1883 and 1923. We also produce some of the most critically acclaimed shows, such as LAWMEN: BASS REEVES, MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN, TULSA KING, LIONESS and LANDMAN.

Building upon this success, 101 Studios’ Unscripted Division works with talented storytellers in bringing their vision to life. Some of these projects include Amazon Prime documentary Kickback, which is an expose on the corruption inside the largest sport’s organization in the world: FIFA; The Last Cowboy, a documentary on the high stakes world of professional horse reining; and the upcoming HBO docuseries about the sexual abuse and cover-up at Ohio State University, co-produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov's Smokehouse Pictures. On the scripted film side, past releases include the Sundance Audience award-winner Burden, as well as the family comedy The War with Grandpa, the historical drama The Current War: Director's Cut, and FINESTKIND. 101 Studios advocates for first-class collaboration and innovation. As an example, we are partnered with iHeartRadio and Sports Illustrated Studios on the Ambie nominated podcast Choosing Sides: F1. 101 Studios also produces high-profile sports content under its own label, 101 Sports. Additionally, 101 Studios' Brand Division increases the exposure for the properties of our partners to millions across the world.

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Originally published: February 27, 2025.

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Paramount Global Set To Shift On DEI As Trump Directives Cycle Through Media

In a memo to staff on Wednesday, February 26, Paramount Global’s co-CEOs — George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins – advised on “changes in the way the company approaches inclusion moving forward,” the latest to capitulate to the Trump administration’s attempt to roll back DEI. “As a result, some of our policies must change to comply with these new mandates,” they said.

Paramount Mountain

Following Disney and companies in media, tech and across industries, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion metric in its short-term incentive plan will disappear. The incentives will now be based on a Workforce Culture and Development qualitative metric, “focused on building a high-performing and inclusive culture, including through developing leadership and engaging our workforce. ”

The company will no longer measure “success in progress on companywide DEI initiatives, including aspirational representation goals,” the execs wrote in the memo, obtained by Deadline. It will no longer ”set or use aspirational numerical goals related to the race, ethnicity, sex or gender of hires” and has stopped collecting rata on race, ethnicity, sex or gender data for U.S. job applicants on its forms and careers page save in markets where it’s legally required to.

Paramount and many others corporate American, prodded in particular by a national conversation on race after the police murder of George Floyd in 2020, had proudly hire DEI experts and began to roll out lengthy reports with charts, graphs and lots of numbers measuring progress in diversity. This is no more.

Earlier this month, Donald Trump-appointed FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr launched an investigation of Comcast’s DEI efforts claiming they may violate equal opportunity laws.

On Friday, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction blocking President Donald Trump from enforcing a majority of two Executive Orders to eliminate DEI initiatives in government agencies, educational institutions and the private sector. The first is called Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, the second Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity. The court ruled that both orders violate the First and Fifth Amendments and are antithetical to federal anti-discrimination law.

Full memo below:

Hi Everyone, 

To mark the close of 2024, we wanted to update you on certain policy changes we are making. As you may be aware, the current Administration’s Executive Order, a Supreme Court decision, and federal mandates require changes in the way the company approaches inclusion moving forward. As a result, some of our policies must change to comply with these new mandates, including:  

Staffing Goals: We will no longer set or use aspirational numerical goals related to the race, ethnicity, sex or gender of hires. We continue to welcome talent of all backgrounds.   

Gender and Diversity Data: We have ended our policy of collecting race, ethnicity, sex or gender data for U.S. job applicants on our forms and careers page, except in those markets that legally require us to do so. 

In addition, we have eliminated the “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” qualitative metric in our Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP) for qualified participants. This metric directly connected 5% of funding for our STIP program to the company’s success in progress on companywide DEI initiatives, including aspirational representation goals. We now base 10% of STIP funding on our Workforce Culture and Development qualitative metric, which is focused on building a high-performing and inclusive culture, including through developing leadership and engaging our workforce.   

With our business objectives firmly in mind, we will continue to evaluate our programs and approach to ensure that we are widening our aperture to attract talent from all geographies, backgrounds and perspectives. That may mean expanding existing programs while ending others. As our policies continue to evolve in the future, we will be sure to share those updates with you.   

To be the best storytellers and to continue to drive success, we must have a highly talented, dedicated and creative workforce that reflects the perspectives and experiences of our many different audiences. Values like inclusivity and collaboration are a part of the Paramount culture and will continue to be.    

Best,  
George, Chris and Brian


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Paramount Reports Q4 and Full Year 2024 Earnings Results

Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) today (February 26, 2025) announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The full press release and other earnings material can be viewed on the Paramount investor relations website at ir.paramount.com. A audio replay of Paramount's earnings call is also be available to listen to.

PARAMOUNT REPORTS Q4 AND FULL YEAR 2024 EARNINGS RESULTS

'SpongeBob SquarePants 25' press art

Strong Content Slate Drove Solid Top Line Results

 ▪ Total Company Revenue Grew 5% for Q4

Continued Momentum in Streaming

▪ Paramount+ Increased Revenue by 16% for Q4 and 33% for FY

▪ Subscribers Grew by 5.6 Million in Q4 and 10 Million for FY, Reaching 77.5 Million

▪ DTC Adjusted OIBDA Improved by $204 Million for Q4 and by Nearly $1.2 Billion in 2024

Strengthened Balance Sheet in 2024

▪ Generated FY Net Operating Cash Flow of $752 Million and Free Cash Flow of $489 Million, Up 
Significantly from Prior Year 

▪ Achieved Targeted Annual Run-Rate Cost Savings of $500 Million

In addition, Skydance transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2025

STATEMENT FROM GEORGE CHEEKS, CHRIS MCCARTHY & BRIAN ROBBINS, CO-CEOS

"We are proud of the transformative year we delivered since becoming Co-CEOs, which marks a 
significant turning point for Paramount as we shift into a streaming-first company. DTC profitability improved $1.2 billion in 2024, driven by an impressive year at Paramount+, where we added 10 million new subscribers and delivered a 33% increase in revenue, which gives us great confidence Paramount+ will achieve full year domestic profitability for 2025. In Q4, Paramount+ saw the highest level of engagement yet and achieved a new record, ranking as the #2 domestic SVOD service for hours watched across all Original Series. These remarkable achievements would not have been possible without the hard work of our talented teams and creative partners for whom we are deeply appreciative."

DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER

OVERVIEW

DTC saw impressive momentum in Q4, including continued earnings improvement year over-year, significant growth in subscribers and record engagement resulting in measurable revenue growth. In fact, Q4 added 5.6 million new subscribers on Paramount+, our best quarter of subscriber growth in two years, and 10 million for the full year. Paramount+ reached a new high, ranking as the #2 domestic SVOD service for hours watched across all Original Series in Q4. Paramount+ scored three of the top 10 SVOD Originals with Landman, Tulsa King and Lioness. These series drove engagement and acquisitions, along with two new Showtime series in the premium tier, The Agency and Dexter Original Sin, as well as the CBS primetime slate and new theatrical releases.

Internationally, originals and theatrical films are performing exceptionally well, including Yellowstone and South Park, which we have exclusively for SVOD. Pluto TV also had a record year, growing 16% in hours watched for Q4 year-over-year and 8% for the full year.

Q4 FINANCIALS

 ▪ DTC revenue increased 8% year-over-year.

– DTC subscription revenue grew 7%, driven by subscriber growth.

– DTC advertising revenue rose 9%, reflecting growth from Paramount+ and Pluto TV, including higher political advertising.
 ◦ Global viewing hours increased 28% year-over-year across Paramount+ and Pluto TV.–Paramount+ revenue grew 16%, driven by subscriber growth.
 ◦ Paramount+ subscribers reached 77.5 million, with 5.6 million net additions in the quarter.  
 ◦ Paramount+ global ARPU increased 1% year-over-year.
 ◦ Paramount+ domestic watch time per user reached a record high and increased 22% year-over-year.

▪ DTC adjusted OIBDA improved $204 million year-over-year, reflecting revenue 
growth and cost efficiencies.

TV MEDIA

OVERVIEW

TV Media continues to define the linear landscape with #1 hit TV series across broadcast and cable. The NFL on CBS delivered three of the top four regular season games, averaging over 19 million viewers on broadcast, and streaming viewership was up nearly 60% for the season. The Fall 2024 primetime slate on CBS featured seven of the top 10 and over 50% of the top 30 programs, including Tracker, the most-watched series on television, and Matlock, the #1 new series. The return of Yellowstone on Paramount Network broke series records with 18 million total viewers on premiere night and remains the #1 show on cable for the quarter and the full year. The Daily Show on Comedy Central remains the #1 cable entertainment series in Late Night for both Q4 and the full year. MTV’s The Challenge, the longest running reality competition series on TV, was the #1 competition series on cable for the year. Nickelodeon’s tremendous popularity continues with both kids and preschoolers, including the #1 Kids series with SpongeBob, which is up in Paramount+ views and is the most watched Kids & Family title on the service.

  • #1 Series: Tracker
  • #1 New Series: Matlock
  • #1 Comedy: Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
  • #1 Cable Series: Yellowstone
  • #1 Cable Competition: The Challenge
  • #1 Kids (6-11): SpongeBob SquarePants

Q4 FINANCIALS

▪ TV Media revenue declined 4% to $4.98 billion.

–TV Media advertising revenue decreased 4%, reflecting declines in the linear advertising market and fewer sporting events on CBS, partially offset by higher political advertising.

–TV Media affiliate and subscription revenue decreased 7% reflecting subscriber declines, partially offset by price increases.–TV Media licensing and other revenue increased 3% to $911 million.

▪ TV Media adjusted OIBDA decreased 17% to $949 million, driven by the lower revenue.

FILMED ENTERTAINMENT

OVERVIEW

Paramount Pictures’ franchise-driven strategy delivered significant revenue growth in Q4, supported by Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which is approaching nearly $500 million at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing film in the franchise, and is expected to be one of the 10 most profitable Paramount Pictures releases of the last decade. Across its three installments, the Sonic the Hedgehog series has 
reached $1.2 billion at the global box office. Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II crossed $460 million globally and Smile 2 debuted at #1 at the global box office, outearning its predecessor’s opening weekend and demonstrating strength and balance of the studio’s theatrical offerings.

Five #1 Domestic Box Office Debuts:

  • Mean Girls
  • Bob Marley: One Love
  • If
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 3
  • Smile 2

Q4 FINANCIALS

▪ Filmed Entertainment revenue increased 67% to $1.08 billion.

–Theatrical revenues increased $336 million, driven by the releases of Gladiator II and Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

–Licensing and other revenues increased 17%, reflecting a higher volume of licensing of library titles and higher studio facility revenue compared with 2023, which was impacted by the labor strikes.

▪ Filmed Entertainment adjusted OIBDA decreased $66 million, as a result of marketing costs associated with the theatrical releases of five films in the quarter compared to one film in the year ago period

SKYDANCE TRANSACTIONS

Completion of the Skydance transactions is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2025. Until then, Paramount continues to operate in the normal course of business. 

ABOUT PARAMOUNT

Paramount (NASDAQ: PARA; PARAA) is a leading global media, streaming and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. The company holds one of the industry’s most extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, Paramount provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions.

For more information about Paramount, please visit www.paramount.com and follow @ParamountCo on social platforms. PARA-IR

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains both historical and forward-looking statements, including statements related to our future results, performance and achievements. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events; generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “estimate” or other similar words or phrases; and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: risks related to our streaming business; the adverse impact on our advertising revenues as a result of changes in consumer behavior, advertising market conditions and deficiencies in audience measurement; risks related to operating in highly competitive and dynamic industries, including cost increases; the unpredictable nature of consumer behavior, as well as evolving technologies and distribution models; risks related to our decisions to make investments in new businesses, products, services and technologies, and the evolution of our business strategy; the potential for loss of carriage or other reduction in or the impact of negotiations for the distribution of our content; damage to our reputation or brands; losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets, FCC licenses and content; liabilities related to discontinued operations and former businesses; increasing scrutiny of, and evolving expectations for, sustainability initiatives; evolving business continuity, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection and similar risks; content infringement; domestic and global political, economic and regulatory factors affecting our businesses generally; the inability to hire or retain key employees or secure creative talent; disruptions to our operations as a result of labor disputes; challenges realizing synergies and other anticipated benefits expected from the Transactions, including integrating the Companyʼs and Skydanceʼs businesses successfully; the dilution to the earnings per share of New Paramount which may negatively affect the price of New Paramount Class B Common Stock; any negative effects following the completion of the Transactions on the market price of New Paramount Class B Common Stock; the uncertainty of the Companyʼs stockholders with respect to the value of the stock consideration they will receive; the risks that holders of our Class B Common Stock may not receive all merger consideration in the form they elect; the reduced ownership and economic interest of our existing stockholders in New Paramount; the cutbacks the PIPE Transaction is subject to in the event that stock elections exceed specified thresholds; the risks that the Transactions may be prevented or delayed or the anticipated benefits of the Transactions could be reduced if we do not obtain certain regulatory approvals; the conditions to the Closing to which the Transactions are subject; our and New Paramountʼs continued incurrence of significant transaction and merger-related transaction costs in connection with the Transactions; business uncertainties, including the effect of the Transactions on the Companyʼs employees, commercial partners, clients and customers, and contractual restrictions while the Transactions are pending; the Transaction Agreementʼs limitation on our ability to pursue alternatives to the Transactions; tax consequences of the Transactions that may adversely affect holders of our Common Stock; the imposition of a new U.S. federal excise tax on us or on New Paramount in connection with redemptions by us or New Paramount of our respective shares; interests of our executive officers, directors and affiliates of Paramount that are different from, or in addition to, the rights of our stockholders; risks related to a failure to complete the Transactions which could 
negatively impact our businesses or financial results and the stock price of our Common Stock; lawsuits relating to the Transactions potentially preventing or delaying the closing of the Transactions and/or resulting in substantial costs; the waiver of one or more of the conditions to Closing without re-obtaining stockholder approval; difficulties retaining, motivating and recruiting executives and other key employees before and following the completion of the Transactions in light of uncertainty regarding the Transactions; the Transactions triggering change of control or other provisions in certain agreements which may allow third parties to terminate or alter existing contracts or relationships; our stockholders not being entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Transactions; changes and uncertainties with respect to taxes in the jurisdictions in which New Paramount will operate which may have an adverse effect on New Paramountʼs business; volatility in the prices of our Common Stock; potential conflicts of interest arising from our ownership structure with a controlling stockholder; and other factors described in our news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that we do not currently view as material or that are not necessarily known. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date of this report, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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