Ellison retains Thompson as CNN chief, unveils Skydance leadership team

CNN CEO Mark Thompson will retain his leadership roles at the news network under David Ellison-led Skydance, effective Tuesday following the $110 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery. Bari Weiss, Thompson's counterpart at CBS News, will also maintain her position, reporting to Ellison and newly appointed co-CEO Ynon Kreiz.

The separate reporting structure aims to allay concerns that Weiss would have greater control over Skydance’s news operations. Thompson and Ellison discussed a new contract to keep Thompson in his roles, but the specifics of CNN's operations within the new company remain to be determined. Thompson expressed confidence in the new leadership supporting CNN's commitment to independent journalism.

As part of a settlement with U.S. states and a Hollywood writers’ union, an editorial independence board was set up to oversee CNN and CBS News. However, doubts persist about the board's authority, with journalists and media experts skeptical about its investigative powers and binding decisions. The appointment of senior leaders, including Andy Gordon as president of Skydance, Dennis Cinelli as finance chief, Casey Bloys as chief content officer at Skydance’s direct-to-consumer business, and George Cheeks as co-lead of Skydance’s television division, comes as both companies face pressure from shifting audience preferences towards streaming services.