Taylor Sheridan, creator of the hit series Yellowstone and its prequels 1883 and 1923, is leaving his longtime position at Paramount for NBCUniversal, reports Deadline.

Sheridan, one of the television industry’s most prominent writers and creators, inked a wide-ranging, five-year deal with the entertainment giant, which includes terms for film, TV, and streaming, according to Deadline. David Glasser (Wind River, Lion), a producer behind many of Sheridan’s works, will also be migrating to NBCUniversal after his company 101 Studios completes its contractual obligations with Paramount.

Per Deadline, Sheridan’s contract will begin January 1, 2029 after the conclusion of his TV deal with Paramount, while Glasser’s will begin in early 2026.

The deal comes only months after Skydance acquired Paramount, which has kickstarted a paradigm shift in the entertainment industry, with seasoned professionals and newcomers alike finding themselves on unstable, sometimes vulnerable ground. The reformed company has already made major moves including the recent hiring of Netflix’s Matt and Ross Duffer (Hidden, Wayward Pines), the creators behind Stranger Things.

First reported by Puck, the development is especially surprising considering David Ellison, the CEO of the new conglomerate Paramount Skydance, made it clear that Sheridan was the company’s top priority, calling him “a singular genius with a perfect track record,” according to Deadline.

However, Deadline reports that the megamerger also came with new uncertainties for Sheridan, who enjoyed considerable creative and logistical freedom under the previous regime headed by former Paramount Global co-CEO Chris McCarthy, who allowed the showrunner to keep budgets high while frequently filming at Sheridan’s ranches.

Although Sheridan is known for lavish spending on his productions, his content has proven to be magnetizing for audiences, with shows such as Tulsa King, Lioness, Mayor of Kingstown, and Landman drawing in millions of paying subscribers to Paramount’s fledgling streaming platform.

According to Deadline, Sheridan’s massive hit Yellowstone has spawned a slew of prequels and spinoffs, including the upcoming Beth & Rip and The Madison, which will stream on Paramount+, and Y: Marshals, airing on CBS, making him one of the most valuable names in television.