Project Description
Deborah Barak was named President, Business Operations, CBS Entertainment, CBS Television Studios and CBS News, in October 2015.
In this position, Barak works closely with the presidents of CBS Entertainment, CBS Television Studios and CBS News to manage the business issues and strategies for their respective areas. She also runs the Business Affairs departments for each division, overseeing negotiations for talent and producer deals, program licensing agreements and developing new business models. In addition, Barak continues to represent CBS on the board that oversees The CW.
During her tenure at CBS, Barak has led some of the Network’s and Studio’s highest-profile negotiations. Most recently, she negotiated the talent and production agreements for CBS’ new late night franchises with Stephen Colbert and James Corden, the first late night shows to be produced by CBS Television Studios.
Barak also helped establish a new business model to finance original scripted series in the summer, with lower network license fees and a unique in-season SVOD window. The deal template helped expand the Network’s original programming in the summer with shows such as “Under the Dome,” “Extant” and “Zoo,” while also creating more profitable program assets for the Company.
In addition, she has handled license renewals for many of the Network’s biggest hits, including THE BIG BANG THEORY, “Two and a Half Men” and “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and cast renegotiations for long-running series such as NCIS, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and CRIMINAL MINDS.
For the Network’s big events, Barak has secured long-term renewals for key franchise specials, including THE GRAMMY AWARDS, THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS and the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS.
In 2000 Barak drafted the original SURVIVOR cast contract, which became the template for reality television agreements.
Previously, Barak served as Executive Vice President, Business Operations, CBS Network Television Entertainment Group since October 2010. Prior to that, she was Executive Vice President, Business Affairs, CBS Network Television Entertainment Group since 2004 and Senior Vice President, Business Affairs, CBS Entertainment from February 2002 through October 2004. Previously, Barak served as Senior Vice President, Business Planning and Special Projects, playing a key role in the negotiation of new media deals and co-production agreements.
Prior to joining CBS, Barak was an associate at O’Melveny & Myers.
Barak is a graduate of UCLA and received her law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.