Paramount CEO Ellison asks CNN chief Thompson to stay after Warner Bros deal, source says

Paramount CEO David Ellison has asked CNN Chief Executive Mark Thompson to stay at the helm of the cable news network after the acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The two held talks in recent weeks about a new contract that would keep Thompson in the job but have not settled on terms, the source said.

Editorial independence is a priority for Thompson, who wants guarantees that he would keep wide control over CNN’s journalism, according to the source.