Mark Thompson wants to remain at CNN as the network prepares for a new corporate owner — but the CEO says he does not yet know whether Paramount Skydance has a place for him in its plans.
“I am enthusiastic about staying,” Thompson told employees during a Wednesday town hall meeting, according to two people with knowledge of his remarks.
That enthusiasm came with a significant caveat. Thompson said he has little insight into what Paramount Skydance intends to do with CNN once its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is completed. He told staffers that “how Paramount wants to run news” is not currently known to him.
The uncertainty extends to the timing of any handover. Responding to a question from veteran correspondent John King, Thompson said he did not know when a transition could begin or when Paramount executives might start appearing at CNN.
CNN declined to make executives available for comment.
The town hall had been placed on the calendar several days earlier and was not arranged in response to Paramount’s legal development this week, according to a person familiar with the matter. Paramount Skydance earlier this week settled an antitrust lawsuit involving 12 state attorneys general.
Questions Over CNN and CBS News
One of the most closely watched questions surrounding the acquisition is whether CNN could eventually be combined with CBS News. Thompson cautioned employees that it remains unclear whether Paramount plans to merge the two news organizations, and he offered no details about what CNN’s next steps under its prospective owner could involve.
The lack of clarity comes as Paramount’s stewardship of CBS News has drawn controversy. Bari Weiss, who was installed last year as editor in chief, has faced scrutiny over changes at the news operation.
Anchors have made public appeals on Instagram in response to posts suggesting that Weiss’ past as a digital entrepreneur and provocative opinion writer has complicated perceptions of the network’s newsgathering.
Changes at “CBS Mornings” and “CBS Evening News” are still too recent for a final assessment. Both programs, however, continue to trail their rivals in the ratings, while the morning show has experienced significant erosion.
Weiss’ move to overhaul “60 Minutes” has also generated criticism and backlash. The long-running newsmagazine is widely regarded as a centerpiece of both CBS and television news more broadly.
Thompson’s Digital Push
Thompson’s tenure at CNN has included an effort to put the network’s journalism in front of younger viewers and broader digital audiences. CNN has experimented with new formats through its “CNN All Access” subscription service, while emerging on-air figures including Abby Phillip and Harry Enten have gained some traction.
The network also remains a substantial business. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this year, Warner Bros. Discovery projected that CNN would produce $600 million in profit during 2026 on revenue of $1.8 billion.
Those figures provide important context as CNN approaches a potential change in control. Thompson has signaled that he would like to continue leading the organization, but he could not give employees assurances about his own position or Paramount’s broader strategy for the network.
What Happens Next?
For now, CNN staffers are waiting for answers on several major issues: when the corporate transition will begin, whether Paramount executives will arrive at CNN, how the company intends to operate its news properties and whether CNN and CBS News could ultimately be brought together.
Thompson’s message was clear on only one point: He is willing to stay. Whether Paramount Skydance wants him to do so remains unresolved.