August 2025

David Stapf has served as president of CBS Studios since 2004, overseeing all aspects of the prolific studio.

During his tenure, CBS Studios has become one of the industry’s leading suppliers of programming. It currently has nearly 50 live-action, animated and unscripted series in various stages of production across broadcast, cable, streaming services and other platforms. Stapf has shepherded some of the most important television series and global franchises to date including the launch of NCIS and the expansion of the NCISverse, now spanning over 1,000 episodes and officially the world’s #1 television franchise across both broadcast and streaming. Stapf and his team also developed and produced THE GOOD WIFE and THE GOOD FIGHT, along with the critically acclaimed series ELSBETH, MATLOCK starring the Emmy-nominated Kathy Bates, and the upcoming “Little House on the Prairie” reimagining for Netflix.

Stapf helped guide the return of the Star Trek franchise to television with STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, PICARD, LOWER DECKS, PRODIGY, STRANGE NEW WORLDS and the upcoming STARFLEET ACADEMY. Fan-favorite series under his leadership also include FIRE COUNTRY, BLUE BLOODS and their respective upcoming universe expansions SHERIFF COUNTRY and BOSTON BLUE. The roster features many international titles, including the Australian comedy COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS, the upcoming historical drama KING & CONQUEROR for the BBC, and many more.  

In addition to primetime programming, Stapf and CBS Studios have produced for all dayparts, including the award-winning THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, THE LATE LATE SHOW with JAMES CORDEN, THE TALK as well as new daytime drama BEYOND THE GATES, recently renewed for a second season. The CBS Studios slate has helped power the CBS Television Network to claim the title of America’s Most-Watched Broadcast Network for the 17^th consecutive season. 

Stapf began his career in 1985 as a unit publicist for Embassy Television. Over the next 12 years, he held publicity positions at Lorimar Television and Warner Bros. Television, where he learned the importance promotion plays in the success of a program and worked across some of the most iconic television series including “Friends,” “E.R.” and “Murphy Brown.” He was named senior vice president of Publicity, Advertising and Promotion for Warner Bros. in 1997, and led some of the industry’s most successful series launch campaigns.

His career journey brought him to CBS in 1999, where he transitioned to Current Programming as senior vice president. In that role, Stapf shepherded the shows that have made CBS the #1 network. He worked with each program’s producers to maintain the quality and direction of established comedies and dramas like EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, THE KING OF QUEENS and JUDGING AMY. Before ascending to his current position, Stapf played a key role in establishing newer hits that helped transform the Network.