CBS News on Monday named Wendy McMahon as its CEO and president. The role expands McMahon’s prior role as co-president to having solo oversight over CBS News and its stations. Previously, McMahon shared responsibilities with Neeraj Khemlani, who on Sunday told staff he was stepping down.
Neeraj Khemlani is stepping down as the co-head of CBS News and Stations (Wendy McMahon is his counterpart). In a memo to staffers, Khemlani said that he had signed a first look deal with the network to develop documentaries, scripted series and books for Simon & Schuster. “It’s an opportunity that will allow me to write, report and develop stories that I’ve long wanted to pursue,” he wrote. George Cheeks, the president-CEO of CBS Entertainment Group, said that he will update staffers soon with information about new leadership and structure for the news division.
Neeraj Khemlani, CBS News’ sharp-elbowed, cost-slashing boss, has landed in trouble after he allegedly dressed down two senior female executives in a tense, closed-door meeting over budget cuts at the embattled network.