Head of CBS News, Neeraj Khemlani, Stepping Away From His Role
CBS is shaking up the leadership ranks of its news and local station group Neeraj Khemlani was in charge of the CBS network news operations including shows such as ’60 Minutes’ and ‘CBS Evening News.’ Photo: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Columbia Journalism School By Joe Flint Aug. 13, 2023 6:17 pm ET Neeraj Khemlani, who is president and co-head of the unit that houses both CBS News and its television station holdings, is resigning and has entered into a content and development deal with parent company Paramount Global. CBS Chief Executive George Cheeks said in a memo to staff that new leadership and structure for the unit is in the works. Wendy McMahon, who ran the unit with Khemlani, is likely to take on
Neeraj Khemlani was in charge of the CBS network news operations including shows such as ’60 Minutes’ and ‘CBS Evening News.’
Photo: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Columbia Journalism School
Neeraj Khemlani, who is president and co-head of the unit that houses both CBS News and its television station holdings, is resigning and has entered into a content and development deal with parent company Paramount Global.
CBS Chief Executive George Cheeks said in a memo to staff that new leadership and structure for the unit is in the works. Wendy McMahon, who ran the unit with Khemlani, is likely to take on greater responsibilities in the new structure, which is expected to be unveiled this week, a person familiar with the matter said.
Under their partnership, Khemlani was in charge of the CBS network news operations including shows such as “60 Minutes” and “CBS Evening News,” while McMahon’s focus was the station group.
Khemlani is leaving his post after less than three years in the job. In a memo to staff he said that his new deal will provide an “opportunity that will allow me to write, report and develop stories that I’ve long wanted to pursue.”
During his tenure, Khemlani developed a reputation for being an exacting leader who at times could be brusk with colleagues and subordinates, two people familiar with his management style said.
Khemlani didn’t respond to a request for comment.
He joined CBS in 2021 from Hearst Corp., where he spent a dozen years and held several leadership positions including deputy group head of its newspaper unit.
As is the case with all the traditional broadcast news operations, CBS News has dealt with declining ratings because of audience fragmentation for the past several years. The network’s morning and evening news programs trail rival networks ABC and NBC.
At the same time, the network’s Sunday morning show remains a strong performer and “60 Minutes,” where Khemlani was once a producer, continues to be considered the gold standard of TV news.
McMahon joined CBS in 2021. She previously headed the local TV station group for Disney’s ABC unit. Prior to that she ran digital operations for ABC stations. McMahon has spent the bulk of her career in local television stations and is known as a sharp and creative operator.
McMahon didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Write to Joe Flint at [email protected]
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