Mark Thompson is stepping in as the next CEO and chairman of CNN.
Parent company Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) said Wednesday it appointed Thompson as the next leader of the cable news network, a few short months after the ouster of Chris Licht.
A 40-year news veteran, Thompson previously served as CEO and president of The New York Times from 2012 to 2020, as well as director-general of the BBC from 2004 to 2012.
Said Warner CEO David Zaslav, "There isn't a more experienced, respected or capable executive in the news business today than Mark, and we are thrilled to have him join our team and lead CNN Worldwide into the future.
Previously, as director-general of the BBC from 2004-2012, Thompson presided over one of the world's biggest newsrooms as well as scores of national and international TV and radio services and extensive global digital news assets. He led the development of the BBC iPlayer, the world's first streaming service from a major broadcaster, expanded web and smartphone services from news to education to entertainment, and oversaw coverage of the biggest events of the time from the global financial crisis of 2008-09 to the 2012 Olympic Games in London . Before becoming a senior executive, Thompson was a working researcher, director, field producer and award-winning showrunner in the BBC's news division.
Mark Thompson was knighted for services to Media in the King's Birthday Honours June 2023.
Shares in WBD moved higher by six cents to $13.00.
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