CBS has announced the appointment of Wendy McMahon as the new President and CEO of its news division, following the departure of former CEO Neeraj Khemlani. This announcement comes just a day after Khemlani stepped down from his position. Wendy McMahon, who previously served as co-president of the news division, will now be responsible for overseeing all of CBS News’ News and Stations, as well as the division’s domestic syndication business.
In addition to her previous role, McMahon will now also have oversight of the department’s broadcast and streaming operations, along with 27 local television stations in major U.S. markets and 14 local news streaming channels. She will continue to oversee CBS Media Ventures’ syndication programming and content licensing to television stations, as well as the division’s national advertising sales business.
McMahon’s expanded portfolio will include the management of all the department’s weekday and weekend programs, such as 60 Minutes and CBS Sunday Morning, as well as its entertainment-oriented programs like Entertainment Tonight and Jeopardy. She will continue to report to CBS President and CEO George Cheeks, who expressed his confidence in McMahon’s ability to lead the news division.
In her own statement, McMahon acknowledged the honor of being entrusted with leading CBS News and expressed her excitement to work with the accomplished team at CBS Media Ventures. She also emphasized her commitment to supporting journalists in their pursuit of exceptional journalism, particularly at this critical moment for the profession.
This announcement comes after Neeraj Khemlani’s decision to step down as co-president of the news division and pursue other ventures with CBS. In a staff memo, Khemlani revealed his plans to work on developing content including books for Simon & Schuster, documentaries, and scripted series under a new multi-year deal with CBS.
Khemlani’s departure is the latest in a series of exits by top television executives in recent months. The news industry has seen significant changes, with former CBS News executive Chris Licht stepping down as CEO of CNN in June after a challenging tenure with the cable news giant.
With Wendy McMahon now at the helm of CBS News, the company is poised for continued success and innovation in the ever-evolving media landscape. McMahon’s experience, leadership, and support from talented colleagues will undoubtedly contribute to the production of high-quality journalism and impactful programming that viewers expect from CBS.
