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Mark Thompson, Former Executive at BBC and The New York Times, Takes Helm at CNN

by Joshua Brown
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CNN has enlisted the expertise of Mark Thompson, a former top executive at the BBC and The New York Times, as part of its strategic move to revitalize a media organization that has seen a turnover of leadership and a decline in viewership over the last two years.

David Zaslav, the chief executive of CNN’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, announced on Wednesday that Thompson would assume the roles of Chairman and CEO of CNN. He succeeds Chris Licht, who was terminated in June, as well as an interim four-member team that had been managing CNN’s operations.

Thompson, who vacated his post at The New York Times in 2020 after an eight-year stint as its CEO, is lauded for his efforts in pivoting the publication towards a digital-first strategy, increasingly reliant on subscription revenue over a faltering ad market. Originating from England, Thompson also served as the Director-General of the BBC from 2004 until 2012.

In his remarks, Zaslav praised Thompson as a “genuine innovator” who has been instrumental in steering two globally respected media entities into the digital era. “His strategic acumen, proven capabilities in transformational leadership, and an unwavering commitment to journalism make him an invaluable asset for CNN during this critical period,” Zaslav stated.

Thompson, who has been knighted by the United Kingdom, expressed that he sees potential where others see disruptions.

Licht was dismissed following a turbulent 13-month period during which CNN’s ratings fell significantly behind competitors Fox News and MSNBC, particularly in a climate where opinion-based news seemed to resonate more with the audience. His leadership style faced scrutiny, culminating in an unflattering profile in The Atlantic that illustrated his failure to connect with numerous employees, many of whom were loyal to his predecessor, Jeff Zucker. Zucker was ousted in February 2022 for not disclosing a personal relationship with another network executive.

CNN’s financial health has also been a concern. According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, the network’s profit decreased to $892 million in 2022 from $1.08 billion in 2020. Soon after Licht assumed his position, the company discontinued a much-promoted streaming service just weeks after its launch. Earlier this month, CNN disclosed that its news content would be integrated into its Max streaming service.

Over the past two years, the network has also parted ways with two high-profile prime-time hosts: Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon, the latter following a transition to a new morning slot that did not prove successful.

During Licht’s tenure, a stable prime-time schedule was never established. However, the interim team comprising Amy Entelis, David Leavy, Virginia Moseley, and Eric Sherling has recently announced a revamped lineup featuring Kaitlan Collins, Abby Phillip, and Laura Coates for weeknight roles, with experienced journalists Christiane Amanpour and Chris Wallace slated for new weekend positions.

The news of Thompson’s appointment was initially reported by Puck on Tuesday evening.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about It appears that your message is empty. If you have any further questions or need additional information, please feel free to ask.

Who has been appointed as the new Chairman and CEO of CNN?

Mark Thompson, former CEO of The New York Times and Director-General of the BBC, has been appointed as the new Chairman and CEO of CNN. The announcement was made by David Zaslav, the chief executive of CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

Who did Mark Thompson replace at CNN?

Mark Thompson replaces Chris Licht, who was terminated in June, as well as an interim leadership team consisting of four members who had been managing CNN’s operations.

What is Mark Thompson known for in the media industry?

Mark Thompson is credited for his transformational leadership in pivoting The New York Times towards a digital-first strategy that emphasized subscription revenue over advertising. He is also known for his tenure as Director-General of the BBC from 2004 to 2012.

Why was the previous CEO, Chris Licht, let go?

Chris Licht was dismissed after a turbulent 13-month term during which CNN lost ground to competitors like Fox News and MSNBC in terms of viewership. His tenure was also characterized by internal challenges, including an inability to connect with many employees.

What challenges has CNN faced recently?

CNN has experienced a series of challenges including leadership turnover, declining viewership, and diminishing profits. Its profit decreased to $892 million in 2022, down from $1.08 billion in 2020. Additionally, the network had to discontinue a newly launched streaming service shortly after its debut.

What is Warner Bros. Discovery’s plan for CNN going forward?

While the full strategy is not publicly detailed, the appointment of Mark Thompson indicates an intention to revitalize CNN both in terms of its digital presence and overall operational efficiency. Mark Thompson’s track record suggests a potential focus on digital transformation and subscription-based revenue models.

Who first reported the appointment of Mark Thompson?

The news of Mark Thompson’s appointment as Chairman and CEO of CNN was initially reported by the media outlet Puck on Tuesday evening before the official announcement by Warner Bros. Discovery.

What changes were made to CNN’s prime-time lineup recently?

An interim leadership team at CNN recently announced a revamped prime-time lineup featuring journalists Kaitlan Collins, Abby Phillip, and Laura Coates for weeknight roles. Veteran journalists Christiane Amanpour and Chris Wallace were slated for new weekend positions.

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9 comments

Dave_T August 30, 2023 - 4:14 pm

Wait, did I read that right? CNN made less than a billion in profits? Man, how the mighty have fallen.

Reply
PaulaQ August 30, 2023 - 4:27 pm

So they’re finally taking streaming seriously? Thompson’s digital experience should help. bout time, CNN.

Reply
Manny_B August 30, 2023 - 6:24 pm

Licht didn’t last long did he? Seems like Thompson is the kind of leader they need. Someone who’s been through the media trenches.

Reply
Emily_R August 30, 2023 - 9:56 pm

With Thompson on board, I’m actually excited to see what CNN does next. They really need to step up their digital game tho.

Reply
Sarah_M August 31, 2023 - 3:40 am

didn’t see that coming! Thompson’s done wonders with NYT and BBC, so fingers crossed for CNN. Their news line-up could sure use a refresh.

Reply
Alex_V August 31, 2023 - 6:03 am

I wonder if they’re gonna shift more towards opinion pieces? I mean, thats what’s getting viewers these days. Hope Thompson knows what he’s doing.

Reply
SteveJ August 31, 2023 - 8:17 am

Wow, CNN’s really shakin things up huh? Mark Thompson’s got a track record tho, so maybe he’ll turn things around.

Reply
Brian_K August 31, 2023 - 9:25 am

Seems like a smart move to me. Maybe now they’ll give Fox and MSNBC a run for their money. its about time.

Reply
LindaH August 31, 2023 - 11:11 am

Thompson’s a big name, but let’s be real, he’s got his work cut out for him. CNN’s been on a downward spiral.

Reply

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