Paramount has looked within for its next head of Nickelodeon’s animation efforts.
The company has named CBS Studios executive Alec Botnick president of Nickelodeon Animation Studios. George Cheeks, chair of TV media for Paramount, announced the hire in a memo sent to staff Friday and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
Cheeks had tapped Botnick and Ashley Kaplan to lead the Nick animation studio in a November 2025 reorganization of Paramount’s linear TV business. Botnick will now be the sole head of the studio as Kaplan moves into a consulting role before leaving the company at the end of 2026. Botnick will also keep his job as executive vp comedy development, animation and alternative for CBS Studios.
Cheeks’ memo (read it in full, below) also notes that Nickelodeon Animation Studios will now operate as its own label with CBS Studios, similar to a move Paramount made with BET Studios in December.
A former WME agent, Botnick joined CBS Studios in 2015 as vp comedy development and was upped to executive vp in 2021. He has shepherded development for animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks, Everybody Still Hates Chris and Digman!, along with live-action comedies Ghosts, The Neighborhood and the upcoming Eternally Yours at CBS and Dead to Me and American Vandal at Netflix.
Cheeks’ memo is below.
Team,
I’m excited to announce that Alec Botnick has been appointed President of Nickelodeon Animation Studios. Alec will lead Nickelodeon Animation Studios into its next chapter, while also continuing his current role as EVP of CBS Studios comedy development, alternative & animation. Similar to BET Studios, Nickelodeon Animation Studios will now operate as its own label for television within CBS Studios.
For Nickelodeon, Alec will oversee the animation studio and its evolution across digital, TV and streaming as we reimagine how we meet today’s kids and families. Alec’s leadership will be essential in shaping our next phase as Nickelodeon reinvents how we reach preschoolers, starting where discovery happens first and evolving into a true multi-platform brand. He also will lead Nickelodeon’s unscripted programming for television, including the Kids’ Choice Awards, while also guiding the development of new series and overseeing our long-running hits, ensuring Nickelodeon remains home to the world’s most iconic kids’ franchises like SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, PAW PATROL and more.
Alec will continue to develop scripted comedies and alternative projects for CBS Studios, as well as maintain oversight of animated development across the CBS, Comedy Central and MTV brands for owned and third-party platforms. Series and projects Alec has helped develop include GHOSTS and ETERNALLY YOURS for CBS, the critically acclaimed Australian comedy COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS for Paramount+ and the animated series “Odd Jobs” for Prime Video.
I also want to share that Ashley Kaplan will transition to a consulting role beginning Monday. In this capacity, she will support the TV Media division on special projects through the end of the year. We are grateful to Ashley for her years of leadership and appreciate her continued partnership.
Jules Borkent, executive vice president of global commercial partnerships and operations, will continue to oversee Nickelodeon Kids & Family’s business and strategy, working in partnership with Alec and other key stakeholders to maximize the Nick brand.
Please join me in congratulating Alec on this well-deserved role. I’m excited for what’s ahead as we continue building the next chapter of Nickelodeon.
All the best,
George
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