The head of CBS News, Wendy McMahon, was ousted on Monday amid complications from a $20 billion lawsuit that reportedly stalled Paramount’s $8 billion merger plans. McMahon, who took on the CEO role for CBS News, Stations, and CBS Media Ventures in 2023, had contested a lawsuit linked to a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, which had been edited to favor the former vice president during the heat of the presidential campaign.
In a memo to her equally surprised staff, she expressed that “it has become clear” that her vision for the company wasn’t aligned with its current direction.
CEO George Cheeks, one of the three executives overseeing the merger waiting for FCC approval, indicated that McMahon had decided to “resign.” He mentioned she would stay on for a few weeks to facilitate the transition.
McMahon, who is 51, acknowledged her resignation with a brief thank-you note to Cheeks.
According to reports, Cheeks asked her to step down during a meeting on Saturday.
Her leadership faced challenges, particularly around the revamping of evening news, which led to declining ratings for both night and morning broadcasts, coupled with internal conflicts over editorial choices.
As one insider noted, the situation was kind of expected. They remarked, “It’s a bit late to stand up for journalistic integrity considering what she did to CBS News. It’s not solely about ratings, it’s about the quality of the journalism.”
The media giant’s majority shareholder, Shari Redstone, was in favor of McMahon’s departure, emphasizing the need to resolve the ongoing legal battle, which had shifted into mediation recently.
Recent sources claimed that Skydance executive Jeff Shell had lost confidence in McMahon’s ability to lead the newsroom effectively.
One network insider shared, “Wendy’s exit seems reasonable as new leadership comes in and revamps everything.”
Another source suggested that her resignation could lead to a quicker resolution in the legal matters involving Trump.
During her tenure, McMahon’s choices drew scrutiny, especially around “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell, and shifting anchors for the program.
The show even had to reverse a format change designed to include more “60 Minutes” style segments after failing to capture major breaking news.
Currently, evening newscast ratings have slipped below an average of 4 million viewers.
Meanwhile, the morning show, led by Gayle King and others, is also struggling, failing to attract even 2 million viewers—lagging behind rivals like ABC’s “GMA” and NBC’s “Today” show.
Morale within the department has reportedly reached a low point, particularly after McMahon and a top editorial leader intervened during a contentious interview about the Israeli-Hamas conflict, which sparked backlash regarding editorial autonomy.
Redstone had also criticized McMahon’s handling of a recent incident involving a host.
Notably, a close colleague of McMahon’s, Aidianne Roark, resigned shortly prior to McMahon’s departure and is anticipated to take a senior role at another company.
One person close to the situation mentioned that confusion was prevalent among the news team, noting, “The reviews are terrible, and there’s concern over news judgment and fairness.”
In a note shared with staff, Cheeks stated that McMahon’s responsibilities would be transferred to Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell.
Wendy McMahon joined CBS News as co-chairman alongside Neeraj Khemlani in 2021, expanding her role after Khemlani’s exit in 2023. Before that, she managed local TV stations and streaming at ABC.
Reflecting on her time, McMahon remarked, “This has been one of the most significant chapters of my career. Leading this remarkable organization has been a unique honor, and I am proud to have worked alongside all of you to uphold our commitment to truth, fairness, and highest standards.”
