CNN expected to name former New York Times exec Mark Thompson as CEO
CNN is expected to name former New York Times executive Mark Thompson as its next CEO, according to multiple reports.
The network’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly in advanced talks to place Thompson at the head of the major cable news station, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
Multiple senior executives at Warner Bros. Discovery have already been notified of his apparent hiring, according to the New York Times.
Thompson — who helped revitalize the Times’ finances by growing its digital subscriber base as the newspaper’s chief executive from 2012 to 2020 — would succeed Chris Licht, who left the network in June after about a year in the role.
Licht’s departure was abrupt and his short tenure at the helm was beset by poor ratings, dwindling profits and talent shakeups. He came into the top job without prior experience in managing a major news operation and was portrayed as insecure about his position in a profile in The Atlantic ahead of his ousting.
Thompson, 66, would come to the role with years of experience and has collaborated with Warner Bros. Discovery Chief Executive David Zaslav previously when he was managing the BBC as its director general.
Zaslav is believed to have wanted Thompson from early on in the recruitment process, the Journal reported.
The former Times CEO is expected to take the reins of CNN at a trying time for the cable network.
The station lags far behind rivals Fox News and MSNBC in ratings and a string of controversies among now-ousted CNN anchors and top leadership like Chris Cuomo, Jeff Zucker and Don Lemon has created instability among staffers.
Thomas would be leading the station as the 2024 presidential election season — which could be a boost for ratings — heats up.
