Ellison and Thompson Discuss Keeping Him as CNN Chief

Paramount chief executive David Ellison and CNN chief Mark Thompson are in preliminary discussions about Thompson remaining in charge of the network after Paramount completes its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to people familiar with the talks. No new contract has been agreed, and the eventual leadership and editorial arrangements remain unsettled. The discussions concern Thompson’s continued role as CNN’s chief executive, a position he has held since April 2023. The acquisition is expected to bring CNN and CBS News under the same corporate owner, but the talks have not established whether their operations will remain separate or how they may be organized over time. Thompson told CNN employees at a recent town hall that he was enthusiastic about staying, according to people familiar with his remarks. He also said he did not know how Paramount intended to run its news operations after the deal closes. His current contract is described inconsistently in the reports, with accounts placing its end in 2027 or early next year; the precise date is unclear. People familiar with Thompson’s position say he is seeking assurances of broad editorial autonomy.