NEW YORK — Two years after the blockbuster sale of Simon & Schuster, Paramount (now operating under Skydance Corporation) is officially getting back into the book business.
The company announced on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the launch of Paramount Global Publishing, a new dedicated imprint designed to turn its massive library of film and television properties into a multi-format literary empire. The move signals a strategic shift from merely licensing characters to other publishers to becoming a direct producer of “in-house” stories.
The Strategy: From Screen to Page
The new imprint will operate under Paramount’s Products & Experiences division. Its primary goal is to deepen fan engagement with iconic franchises while simultaneously incubating new intellectual property (IP) that could eventually migrate back to the screen.
- Target Brands: Fans can expect titles expanding the worlds of Star Trek, Yellowstone, Mission: Impossible, SpongeBob SquarePants, and PAW Patrol.
- Formats: The imprint will produce content across print, digital, and audio formats, catering to all demographics from children’s picture books to adult thrillers.
- Distribution: While Paramount will oversee development and production, a retail distribution partner is expected to be named in the coming weeks.
Leadership and Market Reach
The imprint is led by Amy Jarashow, a veteran of the publishing and licensing world, who takes the role of Head of Global Publishing. She reports to Josh Silverman, President of Global Products & Experiences.
”With the launch of Paramount Global Publishing, we’re expanding the reach of our most beloved franchises while also introducing original stories to audiences around the world,” Silverman said in a statement.
Why Now? The Post-Simon & Schuster Era
The timing is notable. Paramount sold Simon & Schuster to KKR for $1.62 billion in late 2023 to pay down debt and focus on its core streaming and film business.
However, under the new Skydance-led ownership, the studio has realized the high value of “vertical integration.” By owning the publishing arm, Paramount keeps a larger share of the revenue from tie-in novels and retains tighter creative control over how its cinematic universes are expanded in print.
The Hybrid Model
Paramount isn’t completely cutting ties with outside publishers. The company confirmed it will continue its licensing strategy, partnering with established houses like Penguin Random House or Scholastic for major global releases, while the new imprint handles niche expansions and experimental original works.
For fans, this means a significant uptick in “expanded universe” content. Whether it’s a deep-dive history of Yellowstone’s Dutton ranch or a technical manual for the USS Enterprise, Paramount is betting that the best way to keep audiences subscribed to their screens is to put a book in their hands.
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