Bari Weiss is not expected to take a leadership role at CNN as Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison taps current CNN CEO Mark Thompson to continue running the left-leaning network after the Warner Bros. acquisition closes. Discovery, sources told the Post.
Ellison and Thompson have negotiated over Thompson’s future in recent weeks, including discussing renewing a contract that expires early next year, but no agreement has been reached, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Weiss is not expected to take a leadership role involving CNN once the deal closes, sources told the Post.
A CBS insider said Weiss “seemed sober” and was going through the motions and “was overly kind and encouraging” during the 9 a.m. editorial meeting Thursday.
“The question is this is the beginning of the end at CBS and will Thompson take over at some point?” the person asked.
A knowledgeable person said Weiss was promised CNN when she accepted the job, but Ellison realized “her current role was more than she could handle.”
It’s unclear what the future holds for Weiss, but sources close to the matter say Larry Ellison “still loves Bari” and wants to keep him company.
The person said it’s possible they’ll hire a boss from both networks eventually, but for now “they don’t want more headaches and crises.”
“It’s not their top priority or their 20th priority.”
Thompson wants guarantees that he will maintain firm control of CNN’s journalism under its new owner, those close to him told the Journal.
Ellison and his team also determined how CNN would operate alongside CBS News, which Weiss led as editor-in-chief through a tumultuous overhaul that included major changes to “60 Minutes.”
Ellison’s current plan does not envision Weiss assuming any responsibilities at CNN immediately after the deal closes, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with his thinking.
The Post has requested comment from CBS News and Paramount. CNN declined to comment.
Gn bussni
