Paramount Skydance and CNN chief Mark Thompson are in the “early stages” of discussions that could keep him at the helm of the news giant, according to a person familiar with the matter, a sign that the company is likely to separate CBS News and CNN at first as it navigates its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
CNN declined to make the executives available for comment. Paramount could not be reached for immediate comment.
Thompson’s fate remains uncertain. He called on CNN to operate without interference in its editorial mission. Paramount agreed to create a board to oversee the independence of its media outlets as part of its recent deal with a group of state attorneys general who wanted to block its deal. Thompson’s current contract is set to expire in 2027.
The Wall Street Journal had already reported on the discussions between Paramount and the executive.
The news could bring some relief to CNN employees, who are worried about the fate of Paramount’s news division. Staffers questioned Paramount CEO David Ellison’s commitment to credible news gathering, given recent scrutiny of the executive he installed at CBS News, Bari Weiss. They’re also concerned about the direction Paramount might be considering for CNN’s new streaming service. CNN’s progress with digital audiences has been slowed by a series of changes in the company’s focus in recent years.
Thompson expressed his desire to remain in that role last week. “I’m excited to stay,” he told employees at a recent town hall meeting, according to two people familiar with his comments. However, he also said he was unsure how Paramount Skydance wanted to proceed once it acquired Warner Bros. Discovery finalized.
“How Paramount wants to distribute the information” is not known to him at the moment, he said.
During his tenure, Thompson focused on bringing CNN’s content to younger viewers and digital audiences. CNN has been testing new formats with its “CNN All Access” subscription service and seeing up-and-coming talent like Abby Phillip and Harry Enten gain traction. Warner Bros. Discovery projected in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year that CNN would generate $600 million in profits in 2026 on $1.8 billion in revenue.
Gn bussni
