Ellison retains Thompson as CNN chief, unveils Skydance leadership team

Oct 5 (Reuters) – CNN chief executive Mark Thompson will remain chairman and editor-in-chief of the news network under Skydance, the combined company formed by Paramount’s $110 billion merger with Warner Bros Discovery.

Read more US Supreme Court rejects Nexstar bid to avoid DirecTV lawsuit over fees

Paramount announced Thompson’s role on Monday, along with the rest of its leadership team for the new company. It said CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss will remain in her role.

Both Thompson and Weiss will report directly to chairman and CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz, Paramount said, allaying some concerns that Weiss would have control over all news in the new company.

In a memo to staff seen by Reuters, Thompson said he would lead CNN as an independent editor-in-chief “with the same responsibilities and prerogatives that I have now.”

Read more Oil steadies on rise in Middle East crude exports and G7 stocks release

Paramount operating chief Andy Gordon will be president of the combined company, and finance chief Dennis Cinelli will keep his role.

HBO head Casey Bloys will become chief content officer at Skydance’s direct-to-consumer business, while Paramount’s chair of TV media will lead Skydance’s linear television operations.

Read more UK grocer Sainsbury’s held merger talks with rival Morrisons, reports say

(Reporting by Anzar Mehraj in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published October 5, 2026 at 9:16 AM.