ViacomCBS has tapped two media executives with Gail King to oversee its unit responsible for shows such as “60 Minutes” and “CBS This Morning”.
MTV and Nickelodeon’s boss named Hearts executive Neeraj Khemlani and former ABC Wendy McMahon as co-presidents of CBS News, two years after taking over from current division president Susan Zirinsky.
The company said that Zirinsky, an iconic TV news producer who inspired the character of Holly Hunter in “Broadcast News”, plans to continue in her current role until newcomers are blamed. .
She would then play a “pivotal role” at CBS News Content Studios, a disparate-unaffiliated entity that hopes to be involved in video news production.
For both Khemlani and McMahon, the new gig represents a homecoming.
Before moving to Hartst 12 years ago, Khemlani worked as a producer on CBS’s “60 Minutes” for eight years. While at Hearst, he held various roles, most recently as executive vice president and deputy group head of Hearst Newspapers. He previously attributed Hart’s entertainment and syndication division to a cable network partnership with ESPN and A + E.
McMahon spent seven years at various CBS-owned TV stations before moving on with ABC 12 years ago, where he most recently served as president of ABC-owned TV stations, including eight broadcast stations and local news rooms Are included.
Both execs will report to CBS Entertainment Group President and Chief Executive Officer George Cheeks.
“Wendy and Neeraj have leadership backgrounds and cross-platform achievements covering all of these key areas, and they share our commitment to superior journalism, optimal delivery platforms, and the strongest support of organizational cultures,” Cheek he said.
Sources say that Cheek was playing the role of co-president in search of Zirkinski’s replacement Was unhappy with his corporate job And wanted to return to the news.
According to sources, Chieks offered the role of co-chairman to Jirinsky’s deputy, Kim Godwin, but was insulted by the idea of sharing the job. Godwin recently nominated a high-profile job as president of ABC News, becoming the first black person to run a broadcast TV news division.
There is no secret to Zirinsky’s disdain for his role as president of CBS News since he took over the reins two years ago. Earlier this week, news leaked that CBS had taken a mutual decision with Jirinsky to break out of his journalism roots and exit the corporate hot seat.
Zirinsky, according to Page Six, once went so far as to grab a piece of paper During a budget meeting that said “I hate my job” As opposed to the Boring Affair.
A source told The Post that Zirinsky’s attitude reduced his work and he appeared disorganized and scattered during meetings, spending too much money on talent and The network’s last-place evening news program, “CBS Evening News” re-released Organized by Nora O’Donnell.
Some sources also claimed that he lacked ingenuity to massage the big ego and deal with the grip by top talent.
CBS News did not comment. Zirinsky could not immediately be reached for comment.
Zirinsky – fondly known as “Z” by CBS insiders – has played an important role in the company, including the career of Gayle King, Oprah Winfrey’s best friend and host of the network’s morning talk show Has been done.
It was under Zirinsky that CBS renegotiated King’s contract, “CBS This Morning,” reconsidered and sent then-co-host Nora O’Donnell to anchor amid the evening’s news Two journalists did not get along.
Announcing the new works in his memo, Cheek said: “Z has an incredible legacy of strengthening CBS News in every role, serving for nearly five decades, including significant achievements as its president. Huh. Z took over the reins of the division in March 2019 at a moment of turmoil, creating stability and renewed passion for the brand internally and externally. “
Zirinsky, who has been in various roles at CBS News for nearly 40 years, such as “48 Hours,” the executive producer of the crime show, embraced the company following claims of sexual harassment and bullying that engulfed the company
Then-CBS News President David rhodes Early 2019, months later Outside embarrassed host Charlie Rose, CBS chief Les Moonves and “60 Minutes” Boss Jeff Fager.
Known as a historical mercenary, Zirinsky was tasked with reorganizing the anchor line on the network and revealing ratings for his Lagarde shows such as “CBS This Morning” and “CBS Evening News”.
Sources say that Jirinsky spent most of his time in meetings, working for corporate bureaucracy, job cuts and talent management rather than fixing the network’s journalism.
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