The CBS News president, Neeraj Khemlani, announced his resignation on Sunday, marking the latest executive shakeup in a challenging period for television news. Khemlani had held the position for just over two years and had overseen prominent programs such as “CBS Evening News” and “60 Minutes.” Although stepping down from his role as president, he will continue to work for CBS in a different capacity. In an internal email to staff, Khemlani expressed his excitement about the opportunity to develop content, including documentaries, series, and books, for the media conglomerate.
While Khemlani’s replacement has yet to be named, Wendy McMahon, a local news veteran who served as co-head of the news division, will remain in her current role. The announcement of Khemlani’s departure was initially reported by The New York Post.
In a memo to the staff, CBS CEO George Cheeks acknowledged Khemlani’s contributions, particularly his implementation of new business strategies aimed at generating more revenue. Cheeks emphasized the importance of such initiatives in the challenging landscape faced by all media companies.
Amidst the turbulence in the news industry, CBS has largely avoided significant controversies in recent months. In contrast, rivals CNN and Fox News have experienced notable leadership changes and legal challenges. CNN’s chief, Chris Licht, was fired after just over a year in the role, while Fox News faced a significant settlement of nearly $800 million in a defamation lawsuit related to spreading misinformation following the 2020 election.
In conclusion, Neeraj Khemlani has stepped down as CBS News president after a little over two years in the position. He will continue working for CBS in a different capacity, focusing on content development. The search for his successor is ongoing. Despite the challenges faced by the media industry as a whole, CBS has navigated relatively smoothly, avoiding major controversies while implementing strategies to drive revenue.