CNN CEO Mark Thompson wants to ‘keep’ at network – Business News
CNN boss Mark Thompson advised staffers Wednesday that he’s hoping to stay at the network and be “useful” to his new bosses as soon as Paramount completes its takeover of mother or father company Warner Bros. Discovery, The Post has realized.
Thompson addressed CNN workers Wednesday during a quarterly townhall assembly, which began simply after 11 a.m. and ended round 12:25 p.m., to discuss in regards to the state of the business and the editorial direction.
But the information boss tackled the elephant within the room — particularly what would possibly occur to CNN now that Paramount is on observe to full its takeover of its mother or father company.
Mark Thompson, chief government officer, advised staffers that he “remained committed to CNN” and wants to keep on. Bloomberg by way of Getty Images
A CNN source mentioned Thompson advised staffers that he “remained very committted to CNN” and wants to keep at the company if he may be “useful” to his “new bosses.”
The exec admitted that he didn’t know what the David Ellison-led Paramount needed to do with CNN and that he hadn’t heard about his position at the merged company.
Thompson additionally gave a broad overview of the essential info of the merger, together with Chief Financial Officer Adam Cohn, who supplied a customary replace on the State of the Business,” an insider added.
A network source additionally famous that Thompson touched on its lawsuit at the side of MS Now and Politico towards Trump administration after it revoked their press credentials and banned their reporters from White House grounds.
Later, during the Q&A portion of assembly, Thompson tried to calm anxious staffers, who pressed the boss additional in regards to the merger.
Paramount boss David Ellison has not but laid out his management plans for the mixed company and its information divisions. REUTERS
He advised them not to leap to conclusions about Ellison’s plans or speculate about them as a result of he doesn’t but know both.
“I feel bad for Mark,” mentioned one staffer. “He’s as in the dark as all of us.”
The particular person added that workers have been getting “upset” in the direction of the tip of the assembly as a result of Thompson wasn’t “being more direct.”
CNN didn’t remark.
CNN staffers have been in panic mode since Paramount settled an antitrust go well with with California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday — clearing the best way for a merged media giant that can operate each CBS News and CNN, as well as to Hollywood studios Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., streaming providers HBO Max and Paramount+.
CNN sources are in a panic over the notion that CBS News boss Bari Weiss may run the network. Getty Images for Uber, X and The Free Press
Sources advised The Post earlier this week that CNN workers are apprehensive over the inevitable massacre that can come as soon as the deal is closed within the coming weeks.
Paramount has mentioned it sees at least $6 billion in value financial savings, which might translate to a number of thousand jobs misplaced within the months forward.
Aside from woes over job losses, CNN staffers are trying at how CBS News has modified below Ellison’s stewardship, pointing to the overhaul of the network below information boss Bari Weiss.
CNN staffers are upset over the prospect over impending layoffs after Paramount merges with Warner Bros. Discovery. Getty Images
Several sources just lately expressed worry over how Weiss “blew up” CBS News’ high rated show, “60 Minutes,” by firing Scott Pelley and different correspondents, together with slew of senior producers, and feared that she would have oversight of CNN down the street.
Although Ellison has not made any public statements in regards to the management construction of CNN, there was a lot hypothesis that Weiss, who’s the Editor-in-Chief of CBS News, may oversee CNN as effectively.
Other sources close to Ellison have thrown water on that notion, telling The Post that the exec shouldn’t be contemplating that option.
