Deborah Barack, one of the most prominent, influential and beloved television business executives of the last 30 years, passed away today, January 21st, after a long battle with cancer. she was 65 years old.
Barack passed away just two years after leaving CBS in late 2020. During his 35 years at the company, the business he was promoted to President of Operations, created deal templates and implemented business models that have become industry standards. An accomplished negotiator who was highly respected by her peers, Barack, better known as Debbie, led the network and studio’s most high-profile negotiations. He brokered many mega-talents and show deals while always keeping his cool under pressure.
Unpretentious and press-shy, Barack had a great sense of humor behind his steely exterior. She has also been a great mentor to many industry professionals who are now carrying on her legacy.
“Debbie was a mentor and dear friend to many of us at CBS. I walked out of the office feeling a little smarter and stronger emotionally, and no one at CBS and our business as a whole was more universally loved, admired, and respected.
“Debbie was also intimidating, smart as hell, and incredibly empathetic, the rare individual that made her a unicorn,” Stupf added. He was my best friend and someone who made me a better person.”
During his tenure at CBS, Barack helped set up the network’s business framework, established an in-house production department, and oversaw studio deals from CBS Productions’ first original series at the time, including a documentary series. Rescue 911 and drama touch the angel When she departed, to CBS Studios’ sprawling 75-series slate.
In addition to his key role in bringing show ownership to CBS’ primetime, Barack helped establish the blueprint for the business and led the deal to convert CBS’s late-night property from lease to full ownership. bottom.She negotiated talent and production deals Late Show with Stephen Colbert When The Late Late Show with James Cordenwas the first CBS late-night show produced by CBS Studios.
Barack also helped create the business template for CBS’s Summer Original Script series via lower network license fees and an in-season SVOD window. It was used in series such as under the dome extant zoo When brain death. Additionally, she established a licensing fee structure for the original series on CBS All Access. Star Trek: Discovery.
Barack handled license renewals for a series of networks. The Big Bang Theory, two and a half men When The Late Show with David Letterman, Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, Academy Awards for Country Music, and other long-term updates of major franchise specials. Original draft in 2000 survivor A casting contract that became a template for a real-life talent contract. Most recently, Barack negotiated the purchase of her Capital Entertainment stake by CBS and a long-term distribution and co-production deal with Imagine Entertainment. She also represented CBS on the CW board of directors and oversaw the deal for Paramount+’s predecessor, CBS All Access.
“Respected and admired throughout the media. Smart, tough and fair to everyone. “Working together for more than 20 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” One: Her sophisticated intellect and deep appreciation for artists set Debbie apart as world-class, and few possessed her myriad unique talents.
“Debbie has been a mentor and friend to many during her illustrious career and a cornerstone of the network’s success,” continued Tassler. “Above all, her moral compass never wavered and she treated everyone with grace and dignity.”
Barak joined CBS in 1985 as a Broadcast Advisor for the network’s West Coast Legal Division. He was promoted to SVP, Business Planning, Special Projects and played a key role in negotiating new media and co-production deals. SVP, Business He Affairs, CBS Entertainment. EVP, Business Affairs, CBS Network Television Entertainment Group. EVP, Business Operations, CBS Network Television Entertainment Group. And finally, President of Business Operations, her 2015 named position.
When Barack announced her departure at the end of January 2020, she was embarking on a new chapter in her career, focusing on an area in which she has been deeply involved: nonprofit. She was a board member of the Jewish family. services, including her duties as chairman, and her Adat Ari El school. She has also worked with Unistream and the Israel Policy Forum. Barack was also open to pursuing other opportunities, including serving on the board, and had planned to spend time with her grandchildren.
The pandemic disrupted her final year at CBS, and after that illness thwarted many of her future plans.