NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2023 --- CBS is proud to announce the continued success and expansion of "The CBS Performers with Disabilities Talent Initiative," which is led by the CBS casting department and is entering its second cycle. Building on the previous year's achievements, this initiative remains dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for performers with disabilities (PWD) in television roles. Since its launch in September last year, CBS has made significant strides, hosting 3 audition workshops, conducting a casting 101 panel, and facilitating internal disability training for network executives.

Last year's cycle of the initiative achieved impressive milestones, including the authentic casting of a PWD in a series regular role for the upcoming series TRACKER and 19 PWD cast in recurring, guest star, or co-star roles during the 2022-2023 season. Audition workshops in New York, Los Angeles, and virtually garnered significant interest, with 44 PWDs receiving confirmed auditions for series regular roles in the 2023 pilot season. The database received over 1,000 submissions and now includes 600+ performers. Education and awareness were bolstered through industry expert panels and activism, solidifying CBS's commitment to authentic representation.

Now in its second year, the initiative aims to broaden its focus by offering PWDs opportunities to enhance acting skills and develop storytelling and pitch capabilities. Panels and workshops are scheduled in Los Angeles and New York, with more details to follow. An internal task force, comprising of Casting, Development, Current, and Office of Global Inclusion (OGI) executives, will ensure robust programming and enhanced access.

This initiative coincides with Paramount's second edition of its annual day-long Summit on Disability, dedicated to championing greater disability inclusion in the media and entertainment industry. The summit serves as a platform for employees and external partners to engage in immersive discussions with performers, company leaders, and advocates while sharing best practices in a concerted effort to promote diversity and inclusivity.

“At Paramount, it’s imperative for us to focus on the urgent need for greater disability inclusion and representation by offering more opportunities in front and behind the camera, says Marva Smalls, Global Head of Inclusion at Paramount and EVP, Public Affairs, Nickelodeon. “We are proud of the continued success of “The CBS Performers with Disabilities Talent Initiative” to provide meaningful and real-time opportunities for performers with disabilities while bolstering our commitment to representation and authentic portrayals across all underrepresented groups.”

As an integral part of Paramount Global's annual Inclusion Week, The Summit on Disability reinforces the company's deepening commitment to disability equality. This year will feature panels, fireside chats, and workshops delving into a variety of topics including:

• Disability Representation in Media and Arts
• Learning ASL with The Sign Language Company
• Power of Humor: It’s Okay to Laugh with comedian Danielle Perez
• Thriving in the Workplace with Visible and Invisible Disabilities: Ensuring our Workplace is accessible to all colleagues

In addition, Paramount is proud to introduce Adapt, its ninth Employee Resource Group (ERG). Adapt is formed to enhance inclusion, visibility, belonging, and to drive positive change for people with disabilities, both in the workplace and in content, by educating, engaging, and empowering while removing barriers of exclusion for all Paramount employees.

Under the guiding tagline, "Accessibility and Belonging for Everyone," Adapt is committed to:

• Advocating for and driving change around accessibility of internal technologies, ensuring that programs and tools are accessible to all employees.
• Advocating for external resources that ensure disability inclusion remains a focal point in Paramount's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, both in content and the workforce, while providing space for people with disabilities to express their needs for success in their roles.
• Ensuring that people with disabilities are authentically represented in Paramount's content.
• Partnering with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that hiring and retention practices are inclusive for all.
• Training and educating the Paramount community on how to support people with disabilities.

To stay updated on initiatives and activations, CBS has launched the @cbscasting Instagram page.

About Paramount

Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media, streaming and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, Paramount's portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Paramount holds one of the industry's most extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, the company provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions.

For more information about Paramount, please visit www.paramount.com and follow @ParamountCo on social platforms.

Press Contacts:

Joy Davis Fair joy.davisfair@paramount.com

Christine Park christine.park@viacomcbs.com