In a surprising move, CBS has appointed Wendy McMahon as the new president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, expanding her previous role in the company. The announcement came from CBS CEO George Cheeks, who praised McMahon's innovative skills and business expertise.
In her new position, McMahon will have oversight of all CBS News' broadcast and streaming operations, as well as the network's local television stations, news streaming channels, and syndication programming. She will also be responsible for content licensing and national advertising sales. McMahon, who previously served as co-president of CBS News alongside Neeraj Khemlani, will continue to report to Cheeks.
The news of McMahon's appointment comes just a day after the departure of Neeraj Khemlani, who was fired from CBS following a series of employee complaints. Khemlani's two-year tenure at the network was marked by clashes with high-profile anchors and HR issues. Reports of his alleged "bullying, rude" behavior further fueled speculation about his future at CBS, with The Post's exclusive story on July 30 shedding light on the situation.
Despite being on a week-long family vacation in Europe, Khemlani had cleared his schedule for the week, indicating that something was amiss. The Post's report of his impending departure prompted CBS to expedite its planned restructuring announcement. In a memo to CBS News staffers, Khemlani announced his plans to embark on a new phase of his career and expressed excitement about his future endeavors. He will now seek to develop content in a new multi-year, first-look deal with CBS.
Cheeks confirmed Khemlani's departure in a memo to staff, mentioning that they had been discussing his potential transition for some time. Wendy McMahon, Khemlani's co-president, is the frontrunner to take over his responsibilities in running the News division. The restructuring is expected to include the appointment of new deputies who will report to McMahon.
Khemlani's departure follows reports of his explosive temper and conflicts with colleagues. He reportedly had a heated confrontation with the Chief Financial Officer during a budget meeting in April. Throughout his tenure, Khemlani faced immense pressure from Cheeks to deliver results. HR complaints against him, which led to an internal investigation in 2022, focused on his behavior towards women and employees of color. Although reprimanded and required to undergo counseling on respectful communication, Khemlani's cost-cutting measures were seen by some as a potential strategy to position CBS for a spin-off from its parent company, Paramount Global, as the company shifts focus towards streaming.
McMahon's appointment as the new head of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures is seen as a move towards further growth and innovation in the network's operations. McMahon, who joined CBS from ABC in 2021, expressed her honor and excitement to lead such a revered organization and support the world's greatest journalists. In her previous role overseeing CBS Television Stations, McMahon implemented significant changes to improve content quality, community service, and workplace culture. Under her leadership, the local stations achieved stronger competitive positions and increased viewership for their streaming channels. McMahon also expanded local news coverage in various markets and launched new morning news franchises. She established the CBS Local News Innovation Lab to develop data-driven investigations and solutions-oriented journalism, partnering with the network for broader coverage.
With her proven track record and dynamic leadership, McMahon's appointment is expected to bring a renewed sense of vision and momentum to CBS News, the local stations, and syndication franchises. Her expanded portfolio includes iconic news programs like "60 Minutes," "Face the Nation," "CBS Mornings," and "CBS Evening News." Additionally, as head of CBS Media Ventures, McMahon will oversee popular entertainment series such as "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune." Under McMahon's leadership, the future of CBS News and its affiliated platforms looks promising, as she continues to uphold the network's commitment to top-notch journalism and production.
