Dan Cohen, ex-Paramount executive, hired as Black Bear's head of TV distribution
Black Bear has hired former Paramount executive Dan Cohen to lead television distribution and is launching Black Bear Digital Networks for independent content owners.
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The story, neutrally told
Black Bear, the independent film company founded by Teddy Schwarzman, has hired Dan Cohen as its head of television distribution. DeadlineN “has hired former Paramount exec Dan Cohen in the role” Read at Deadline ↗ VarietyLC “Black Bear has named Paramount and Disney veteran Dan Cohen as its head of television distribution” Read at Variety ↗ Cohen was Paramount's chief content licensing officer and president of Republic Pictures, and left in July 2025 ahead of Skydance's takeover of the studio. VarietyLC “He stepped down in July 2025 ahead of Paramount’s merger with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.” Read at Variety ↗ DeadlineN “Cohen, who was Chief Content Licensing Officer at Paramount and President of Republic Pictures” Read at Deadline ↗ Variety adds that he previously spent 20 years at Disney/ABC. VarietyLC “Before joining Paramount, Cohen spent 20 years at Disney/ABC” Read at Variety ↗
He will oversee post-theatrical distribution of Black Bear's films, including upcoming titles such as Wicker, Wife & Dog, Jason Statham Stole My Bike and A Woman in the Sun. DeadlineN “will oversee post-theatrical distribution of its movies” Read at Deadline ↗ VarietyLC “Cohen will oversee Black Bear’s post-theatrical licensing infrastructure.” Read at Variety ↗ Black Bear is also launching Black Bear Digital Networks, which will help independent content owners earn money across FAST and AVOD channels. DeadlineN “help independent content owners monetize across FAST and AVOD networks” Read at Deadline ↗ VarietyLC “a unit geared to help large independent content owners monetize their shows” Read at Variety ↗ Sinclair Networks, Tubi, CJ ENM and the National Wrestling Alliance are named as partners or initial clients. DeadlineN “Sinclair Networks, Tubi, CJ Enm and The National Wrestling Alliance” Read at Deadline ↗ VarietyLC “inaugural clients include Sinclair Networks, Tubi, CJ ENM and the National Wrestling Alliance” Read at Variety ↗
Variety reports that the studio aims to release 10-12 titles a year, while Deadline lists recent deals with Paramount+ and Starz. VarietyLC “The studio aims to release 10-12 titles per year” Read at Variety ↗ DeadlineN “Ric Roman Waugh’s Shelter and Guy Ritchie’s In The Grey with Starz” Read at Deadline ↗ Schwarzman praised Cohen's licensing expertise and industry relationships, and Cohen said he was confident in Black Bear's future. DeadlineN “Dan brings an exceptional combination of licensing expertise, industry relationships, and strategic vision” Read at Deadline ↗ VarietyLC “I have immense confidence in what they’re building for the future.” Read at Variety ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Variety presents the hire as a trade announcement, with added career background and Black Bear's release plans.
- Emphasis
- Cohen's Disney/ABC career, the exact departure date, Black Bear's 10-12 films a year target and a longer slate.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not list the recent Paramount+ and Starz deals that Deadline mentions.
- Charged language
- “veteran”
- For example
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“Black Bear has named Paramount and Disney veteran Dan Cohen as its head of television distribution” — Variety
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Deadline reports the hire briefly, leading with Black Bear's film credits and how long ago Cohen left Paramount.
- Emphasis
- Black Bear's recent distribution deals with Paramount+ and Starz, and the digital networks launch.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Leaves out Cohen's Disney/ABC background and Black Bear's annual release target.
- For example
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“Recent deals for the company include Tuner, starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman, on Paramount+” — Deadline
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Dan Cohen is Black Bear's new head of television distribution.
- He previously worked at Paramount as chief content licensing officer and president of Republic Pictures.
- He left ahead of Skydance's takeover of Paramount.
- Black Bear is launching Black Bear Digital Networks, with Sinclair Networks, Tubi, CJ ENM and the NWA involved.
Black Bear organisation
Through CEO Teddy Schwarzman, Black Bear says Cohen's experience will help it grow U.S. distribution and open its digital networks to other media owners.
“as we continue to invest in our U.S. distribution business” — Deadline
Left1 article
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Black Bear Names Dan Cohen as Head of Television Distribution, Launches Digital Networks Vertical
Neutral Trade report with fuller career background and Black Bear's slate, presented as support for its independent film plans.
Centre1 article
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Former Paramount Exec Dan Cohen Joins Black Bear
Neutral Short trade report built around the announcement and executive quotes, with recent deals as context.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 29 Sep 20:15 First DeadlineN Former Paramount Exec Dan Cohen Joins Black Bear
- 29 Sep 20:15 First VarietyLC Black Bear Names Dan Cohen as Head of Television Distribution, Launches Digital Networks Vertical
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.