Skydance Names Mark Thompson to Lead CNN, Bari Weiss to Run CBS News

TheWrap reports that David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz, the co-CEOs of the newly formed Skydance Corporation, unveiled the post-merger executive leadership team on Monday. The announcement clarifies who will run CNN and CBS News after the $110 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, expected to close Tuesday.

Mark Thompson will remain in his role overseeing CNN. Bari Weiss will take charge of CBS News, a position TheWrap previously reported. Weiss will have no oversight of CNN, according to the plan.

The update follows conditions in the antitrust settlement with a dozen state attorneys general, which raised questions about the future of the two news networks.

Ellison, who will focus on long-term strategy and creative vision, said in a statement: "I'm incredibly proud to introduce the team that will lead Skydance forward, a group that reflects the ambition behind this historic combination. Together, Paramount and Warner Bros. will form a creative-first home with the scale, imagination and technology to define entertainment for a generation."

Co-CEO Kreiz will handle day-to-day management and integration. Both will be joined on the board by Gordon, the source notes.

A complete list of the company's executive leadership team will be issued after the deal closes.

• Bari Weiss
• CBS News
• CNN
• David Ellison
• Mark Thompson
• Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger