Paramount Global, which has agreed to a merger with David Ellisons Skydance Media that is expected to close in the first half of this year, is hitting pause on select events in 2025, including the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) and the CMT Music Awards, to reimagine what they might look like in the future and optimize its tentpole strategy.

Also affected are the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Mexico and the MTV MIAWs, formerly known as the MTV Millennial Awards, an annual ceremony honoringLatin American musicand youth culture, according to an internal memo, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. The memo came from the office of Bruce Gillmer, Paramounts president, music, music talent, programming and events, media networks and chief content officer, music, Paramount+. The U.S. versions of the Kids Choice Awards and the VMAs are not mentioned in the memo about paused events. It wasnt immediately clear when a decision about the future of the events affected by the move would be made.

Paramount has been slimming down in several regards over the past year. In August, the conglomerates co-CEOs George Cheeks, Brian Robbins, and Chris McCarthy unveiled asweeping planto cut 15 percent of the companys U.S. workforce in pursuit of $500 million in cost savings. Thefirst of three rounds of layoffstook place shortly after that. Among the changes back then was theshuttering of Paramount TV Studios, as well as thedepartureof a number ofhigh-profileexecs. The second phase in the fall affected such parts of the business as CBS News.

Read the full memo on the pausing of select Paramount events below.

Team,

We want to share some news. We are pausing a few events for 2025, as we look to reimagine and optimize our events slate going forward. These include the MTV EMAs, MTV MIAWs, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in Mexico, and CMT Music Awards.

Our world-class events remain a key component of Paramounts music offering as we continue to raise the bar in delivering iconic, unforgettable performances and moments that drive pop culture. We have the best team in the business, and we are grateful for your hard work and dedication in bringing these events to life.

Thank you,

Bruce