Mark Thompson, ex-New York Times chief, appointed as CNN’s chairman and CEO, replacing Chris Licht.
CNN Welcomes Mark Thompson as New CEO and Chairman
CNN has exciting news to share! Mark Thompson, a former chief executive of the New York Times and general director of the BBC, has been appointed as the new CEO and chairman of the network. Thompson will officially assume his role on Oct. 9, taking over from the previous CEO, Chris Licht.
Thompson’s appointment comes at a crucial time for CNN, as the network faces various challenges, including a decline in viewership on network television, which is its primary source of revenue. Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges.
“There isn’t a more experienced, respected, or capable executive in the news business today than Mark, and we are thrilled to have him join our team and lead CNN Worldwide into the future,”
– David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery
Thompson is well aware of the obstacles ahead, acknowledging the pressure CNN faces from all directions. He recognizes that there is no quick fix to the network’s disruption but sees it as an opportunity for growth. Thompson is ready to roll up his sleeves and work alongside the CNN team.
Interestingly, Thompson has encountered a similar viewership challenge during his tenure as CEO of the New York Times. He successfully transformed the newspaper’s approach, leveraging the digital landscape to their advantage. This experience positions him well to tackle CNN’s current predicament.
Prior to his role at the New York Times, Thompson served as the director general of the BBC. During this time, he faced criticism for his handling of an investigation involving Jimmy Savile, a children’s television entertainer. Thompson maintains that he had no reason to believe the conduct was a pressing concern.
Thompson’s appointment follows the departure of former CEO Chris Licht, who faced criticism from CNN hosts and a detailed exposé in the Atlantic titled “Inside the meltdown at CNN.” Licht’s tenure was cut short, leading to his dismissal in June of this year.
In recent years, CNN has also bid farewell to several of its major stars, including Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon. However, the network is determined to bounce back.
Excitingly, Thompson’s appointment coincides with Warner Bros. Discovery’s announcement of giving CNN a second chance in the streaming world. CNN Max will be featured on the company’s streaming platform, Max, offering a 24/7 livestream of content. This comes after CNN’s initial streaming attempt, CNN+, was launched in April 2022 but unfortunately shut down less than a month later.
With Mark Thompson at the helm, CNN is poised to navigate these challenges and embrace the future of news broadcasting.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
