CNN’s boss will remain as Paramount and WBD merge into Skydance
CNN chief executive Mark Thompson will keep leading the network after Paramount’s purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery closes this week. The deal is valued at $110 billion.
In a staff memo, Thompson said he expects the merged company to uphold CNN’s editorial independence, according to The New York Times. The appointment comes as the companies outline Skydance’s leadership.
Paramount CEO David Ellison will lead Skydance with former Mattel chief Ynon Kreiz. The merger brings CNN and CBS News into the same company, prompting questions about their future.
A settlement with 12 states requires Skydance to establish a board focused on news editorial independence. Bari Weiss will remain editor-in-chief of CBS News.
Other appointments include HBO chief Casey Bloys overseeing content for Skydance’s streaming business, Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg leading film studios, and George Cheeks running television. The deal’s closing this week will put the new leadership structure into effect.
Key points
- Mark Thompson will remain CNN’s chief executive after the merger closes.
- The combined company, Skydance, will include CNN and CBS News.
- A settlement with 12 states requires an editorial independence board.