Warner Bros. Discovery is widely expected to name Mark Thompson, the former New York Times Co. and BBC leader who has demonstrated a knack for guiding media into digital realms as the latest executive to oversee CNN, according to a person familiar with the matter, putting in place the fifth executive structure around the news giant since early 2022.
Thompson’s name surfaced just a few days ago as someone who might be “in the mix” to run CNN, which has been under the aegis of four senior executives since the June ouster of Chris Licht, a popular TV producer whose tenure at the network was marred by a series of personnel moves that failed to gain ratings traction. His arrival is surprising to many insiders who believed CNN’s parent company was willing to let a quarter of senior executives — Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling, all CNN veterans, and David Leavy, a longtime consigliere of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who was brought in to handle business affairs.
There is an expectation among CNN staffers that Warner Bros. Discovery could announce the decision to hire Thompson as soon as Wednesday. A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery did not respond to queries seeking comment. Thompson was first suggested as a candidate by Semafor, and Puck on Tuesday night reported he was expected to be named head of CNN operations.
In Thompson, Warner Bros. Discovery no doubt hopes it has found someone who can stick around for at least a little while. CNN and its rivals are entering the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, typically a time that brings with it broader audiences, bigger ratings and the attendant ad dollars that often follow such elements. CNN has been grappling with ratings shortfalls for months, and few moves made by anyone at the outlet have reversed that condition.
His ascension may rattle CNN’s employee base, who have watched a quick succession of senior teams try to right the ship since the ouster of Jeff Zucker, CNN’s former leader. Zucker presided over an era of big profits and big profiles by encouraging anchors and correspondents to take on a more crusading demeanor on air, particularly during the Trump administration.
