It’s official. CNN has a new boss. Mark Thompson, the former chief executive at The New York Times Company and the former director general of the BBC, will take over the news network. He replaces Chris Licht, who was fired in June after a year of controversy and dwindling ratings.
David Zaslav, the chief executive of CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, said in a statement, “Mark is a true innovator who has transformed for the digital age two of the world’s most respected news organizations. His strategic vision, track record in transformational leadership and sheer passion for news make him a formidable force for CNN and journalism at this pivotal time.”
CNN has had a four-person leadership team running the network since Licht was ousted in June. There was some talk that the current leadership team would stay in place through the 2024 election. The network finally had shown some stability after Licht was let go. In addition, CNN staff might not be happy that Zaslav, like he did with Licht, named someone outside CNN without an extensive search.
The Washington Post’s Jeremy Barr wrote, “Zaslav had not conducted a formal search when appointing Licht and had interviewed no other candidates. This time around, Zaslav had promised CNN employees a lengthy search, which he said in early June would take ‘months.’ That search only ended up taking about two and a half months.”
But Thompson, 66, has a good reputation in the news business. And CNN’s Oliver Darcy wrote, “Some staffers feared it was too soon for another executive shakeup, but many expressed excitement at the possibility Thompson would be selected for the assignment.”
The New York Times’ Benjamin Mullin and John Koblin wrote, “Mr. Thompson started as a trainee at the BBC in 1979 and ascended to the position of director general, the broadcaster’s top position, in 2004. He joined the Times Company as its chief executive in 2012, and was among a group of executives who revitalized the company financially by greatly expanding its digital subscription business.”
In a statement, Thompson said, “I couldn’t be more excited about the chance to join CNN after years of watching it and competing against it with a mixture of admiration and envy. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get down to work with my new colleagues to build a successful future for CNN.”
Thompson is expected to start his new post on Oct. 9.
This is a developing story.
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