CNN Names Former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson to Run Network, Replacing Chris Licht

CNN has named Mark Thompson, former CEO of The New York Times and director general at the BBC, as the news network's new chief.

"Mark has led and transformed two of the world's most respected news organizations," Warner Brothers Discovery CEO David Zaslav said in an internal email sent to staff ahead of Thompson's appointment. The memo was shared on social media Wednesday by Axios reporter Sara Fischer. Thompson starts Oct. 9, Zaslav said.

The network has been scrambling to fill its top leadership spot after embattled former CEO Chris Licht left the role vacant in early June following an explosive profile in The Atlantic. His 13-month tenure was marred by a series of public relations crises, including a harshly criticized live CNN town hall with former President Donald Trump. 

Warner Brothers Discovery, which owns CNN, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week, Thompson was said to be one of the top candidates, and Puck reported that Zaslav was trying to persuade Thompson to accept the job. 

Shortly after taking charge at the Times in 2012, Thompson hired Meredith Kopit Levien from Forbes as EVP of advertising. During his tenure, digital revenue quadrupled and subscriptions grew almost tenfold. Kopit Levien succeeded him as CEO when he left the Times in 2020.

Since Licht's exit, CNN has been run by a group of its three longtime executives: Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley and Eric Sherling. David Leavy was also brought on as chief operating officer to assist the veterans. 

The search for the cable network’s next leader was likely expedited as the 2024 presidential campaigns picks up. Zaslav had told CNN staff in June that the hunt for a new chief could take months, according to the Times.

Last Thursday, the network announced its second attempt at a streaming platform, CNN Max. The new service, off the heels of failed CNN+, will stream live CNN newscasts starting Sept. 27.