EXCLUSIVE: Veteran MTV Networks executive Nina L. Diaz, who most recently served as President of Content and Chief Creative Officer for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, will be leaving when Skydance‘s pending acquisition of Paramount Global is completed Aug. 7.
She just made the announcement in an internal memo, a copy of which was obtained by Deadline.
“Change, as we know, is part of this business — and part of growth. I’m stepping forward with deep gratitude and high spirits, knowing that the impact we’ve made here will keep echoing,” Diaz wrote in the email, in which she included several highlights from her time at the company, from The Osbournes and Love & Hip-Hop to Landman, Jon Stewart’s return to The Daily Show and Yellowjackets’ resurgence.
Diaz is departing alongside her longtime boss Chris McCarthy, co-CEO of Paramount Global and President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment whose pending exit was revealed last week. Since returning to MTV Networks in 2014, Diaz has seen her role expand through a series of promotions, most recently to President of Content and Chief Creative Officer for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios in 2023.
In that role, she oversaw the development and production of over 100 series annually across MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network and Showtime, including the Yellowstone franchise, MobLand, Lioness, Emily in Paris, South Park, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Dexter: Original Sin, Dexter: Resurrection, The Agency and The Daily Show.
Diaz has an extensive unscripted background as a seasoned executive and producer in the space for two and a half decades. She began her career at MTV where she developed and launched signature shows of the early 2000s such as My Super Sweet 16, Cribs as well as The Osbournes, which she conceived the idea for after meeting the family on the set of Cribs.
After a stint as an independent producer on such series as VH1’s Mob Wives and Bravo’s Real Housewives of New Jersey, Diaz returned to VH1 in 2014. She was subsequently upped to EVP and Head of Reality Programming at VH1 and Head of Unscripted for MTV and VH1 before expanding into scripted. During her tenure, she spearheaded the transformation of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Jersey Shore and The Challenge into global franchises.
A leading Latina executive and the highest-ranked woman of color within Paramount’s TV programming operation, Diaz ahas been focused on investing in BIPOC and women creators. She launched a joint venture with producer Lashan Browning to launch the production company Antoinette Media and played a leadership role in convening an industry-wide coalition in partnership with USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative to created the Mental Health Media Guide.
Here is Diaz’s memo:
Team—
After an incredible run, I’ll be wrapping my time at Paramount as part of this next chapter of change.
It’s hard to put into words what it’s meant to lead, collaborate, and dream big with this powerhouse team — across every brand, every story, every moment we’ve built together. From iconic franchises to bold new voices, you’ve shown up with heart, hustle, and creative fire every step of the way.
Together, we redefined what global hits look like — from building out the rich, expansive worlds of Taylor Sheridan’s universe, with Yellowstone, Lioness, and Landman… To launching global sensations like MobLand and The Agency, each breaking new ground in storytelling and scale.
We took Showtime to new heights — reigniting The Chi, turning Yellowjackets into a cultural phenomenon, and resurrecting Dexter to record-breaking numbers that thrilled old and new fans alike.
We brought back the incomparable Jon Stewart to The Daily Show —a triumphant return drawing in massive audiences and gave America its beloved fist-pumpers once more with Jersey Shore Family Vacation, then took the Shore sensation global with wild, unforgettable casts in Warsaw, Mexico, the UK, and France.
And RuPaul’s Drag Race — a groundbreaking, culture-shifting franchise that not only captured hearts but dominated awards seasons, becoming a long-running global phenomenon and an Emmy darling. We kept the fire burning with enduring icons like The Challenge and Love & Hip Hop, proving that franchise storytelling can evolve, expand, and continue to lead.
And for those who go way back —to my first tour of duty at MTV —we blazed the trail and captured the rebellious spirit of youth culture with shows that defined a generation. I’ll forever be proud to have helped create a few of those unforgettable originals: Cribs, My Super Sweet 16, and The Osbournes (Ozzy, forever in our hearts).
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built —and even more excited for what’s ahead, for all of us. Change, as we know, is part of this business — and part of growth. I’m stepping forward with deep gratitude and high spirits, knowing that the impact we’ve made here will keep echoing.
Keep pushing boundaries. Keep lifting each other up. And keep making the kind of culture-shaping, genre-bending magic that this team can.
Thank you for being part of all of it — the bold swings, the big wins, the creative risks, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s been a true pleasure to be in the trenches with you, to be inspired by your talent, your grit, and your passion. I’ll be rooting for you always and yes, I’ll miss you.
With love & respect,
Nina
