Bari Weiss is not expected to have a managerial role at CNN as Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison is tapping CNN’s current CEO Mark Thompson to continue running the left-leaning network after the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition closes, sources told The Post.
Ellison and Thompson have been negotiating 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 have a managerial role involving CNN when the deal closes, sources told The Post.
A CBS insider said Weiss “seemed subdued” and was going through the motions and “being overly nice and encouraging.” at the 9 am editorial meeting on Thursday.
“The question is this the beginning of the end at CBS and will Thompson take over us at some point?” , the person wondered.
A person with knowledge said that Weiss had been promised CNN when she took the job, but Ellison realized “her current role is more than she can handle.”
It’s unclear what the future holds for Weiss, but sources close to the situation say Larry Ellison “still loves Bari” and wants to keep her in company.
The person said that it’s possible that they hire a boss of both networks down the line but right now “they don’t want more headaches and crises.”
“This isn’t their top priority or their 20th priority.”
Thompson wants guarantees that he will remain firmly in control of CNN’s journalism under its new owner, people close to him told the Journal.
Ellison and his team have also been determining how CNN will operate alongside CBS News, which Weiss has led as editor-in-chief through a tumultuous overhaul that included major changes at “60 Minutes.”
Ellison’s current plan does not envision Weiss taking on responsibilities at CNN immediately after the transaction is completed, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with his thinking.
The Post has sought comment from CBS News and Paramount. CNN declined to comment.