CNN boss Mark Thompson is staying on in the David Ellison era. Read his memo to staffers.
CNN CEO Mark Thompson will remain in his role following the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by David Ellison's Skydance. Thompson emphasized his commitment to maintaining CNN's editorial independence despite the network's new common ownership with CBS News.
Why it matters
The leadership stability at CNN is a key indicator of how the newly merged media giant will manage its news divisions.
Mark Thompson will continue to lead CNN at Skydance, David Ellison's new media company. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery CNN CEO Mark Thompson will remain in charge as David Ellison's Skydance buys Warner Bros. Discovery. The news giant will share common ownership with CBS News, which Ellison shook up by hiring Bari Weiss. Read Thompson's full memo to CNN employees. Mark Thompson isn't going anywhere. David Ellison is keeping CNN's top executive in place as Paramount buys Warner Bros. Discovery, the news giant's parent company. Thompson, who's led CNN since October 2023, told staffers on Monday that he's staying at the network. His title will be chairman and editor-in-chief. "I'm convinced that from David Ellison on down, Paramount Skydance leadership really does believe in news alongside entertainment as a top strategic opportunity for our new company," Thompson said in a memo obtained by Business Insider.
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