‘Yellowstone’ creator Sheridan to join NBCUniversal in 2029

Taylor Sheridan, creator of Yellowstone and other hit series, is leaving Paramount for a five-year film and television deal with NBCUniversal that begins January 1, 2029, after his current Paramount contract expires at the end of 2028hollywoodreporter.
The move comes after Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount Global and represents a major shift in Hollywood’s talent wars, with Sheridan joining NBCUniversal under entertainment head Donna Langleyvariety.
Sheridan’s collaborator David Glasser and his production company 101 Studios will also transition to NBCUniversal, with Glasser’s first-look deal beginning in March 2026imdb.
Paramount will retain ownership of all existing Sheridan-created franchises including Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown, and Lioness, requiring Sheridan to develop entirely new intellectual property at NBCUniversalhollywoodreporter.
The departure is considered surprising since Sheridan had been Paramount’s most prolific creator, with his programming serving as a cornerstone of the Paramount+ streaming platform for the past decadedeadline.

‘Yellowstone’ Creator Taylor Sheridan Jumps to NBCUniversal in Massive Deal

Television’s most prolific creator Taylor Sheridan is leaving Paramount for a lucrative five-year film and television deal with NBCUniversal that will begin in January 2029, marking a seismic shift in Hollywood’s ongoing talent wars.hollywoodreporter

The move represents one of the entertainment industry’s biggest talent acquisitions since Skydance’s $8.4 billion takeover of Paramount Global in August 2025. Sheridan, the mastermind behind the “Yellowstone” franchise and hits like “Tulsa King” and “Lioness,” will transition to NBCUniversal once his current Paramount television contract expires at the end of 2028.darkhorizons

Industry Shakeup Reflects New Power Dynamics

The departure signals a dramatic power shift following Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount Global. According to industry sources, Sheridan grew increasingly dissatisfied with new leadership at Paramount, particularly after many executives he had worked with were dismissed or sidelined. Incoming streaming head Cindy Holland reportedly questioned budgets for Sheridan’s shows, which can reach $20 million per episode.reddit

“This is a shocker, underscoring the high stakes and intensity of the new era in the talent wars,” Deadline reported, comparing the move to NBCUniversal’s recent acquisition of “Stranger Things” creators Matt and Ross Duffer from Netflix.imdb

David Glasser and his production company 101 Studios, which produces Sheridan’s entire slate of shows, will also transition to NBCUniversal under a first-look deal beginning in March 2026.hollywoodreporter

Financial Impact and Creative Control

Sheridan’s programming has been the backbone of Paramount+ streaming strategy, generating an estimated $263 million in subscriber revenue since “Mayor of Kingstown” premiered in 2021. His recent series “Landman” became Paramount+’s most-watched original series with 35 million global viewers, surpassing even “Yellowstone’s” debut numbers.parrotanalytics

However, Paramount will retain ownership of existing franchises including “Yellowstone,” “1883,” “1923,” and other Sheridan-created properties. The creator will need to develop entirely new intellectual property for NBCUniversal.hollywoodreporter

NBCUniversal’s entertainment chief Donna Langley has positioned the studio as a filmmaker-friendly destination, home to directors like Christopher Nolan, Jordan Peele, and Steven Spielberg. Sheridan, who received an Oscar nomination for writing “Hell or High Water,” was reportedly drawn to this creative environment.worldofreel

The transition reflects broader industry consolidation as media companies compete for top-tier talent amid evolving streaming economics and changing viewer habits.