 [NY Post] Embattled CBS News boss Wendy McMahon was pushed out on Monday after less than two years – including a $20 billion lawsuit brought by President Trump that has stalled parent company Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media.
McMahon, who was given the title of CEO of CBS News, Stations, and CBS Media Ventures in 2023, has opposed settling the lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris in the heat of the presidential campaign that Trump alleges was deceptively edited to aid the former vice president.
“It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” McMahon said in a memo sent to shell-shocked staff.
CBS CEO George Cheeks,
“They call him Sweet Cheeks, donchaknow, because he’s such a sour pickle of a man.”
/not even a little bit sorry |
one of three executives in charge as Paramount awaits approval of the merger from the FCC, said McMahon had decided to “step down.” She will remain at the network for “a few weeks to support the transition,” he added.
McMahon, 51, offered a curt reply in her farewell note.
“To George: Thank you for this opportunity.”
McMahon’s tenure was marred by her widely-panned overhaul of the evening news, plummeting ratings at both the nightly newscast and the morning show, and internal turmoil over editorial standards.
“This is not a surprise. It was just a question of when,” said one person familiar with the matter. “It’s a bit late to stand up for journalism given what she’s done to CBS News — it’s not even the ratings, it’s the quality of the journalism.”
Paramount’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone supported McMahon’s removal, a source close to the situation told The Post.
In recent weeks, she has pushed to settle the bitter legal battle as the two sides have gone into mediation – leading longtime “60 Minutes” producer Bill Owens to quit.
The media heiress and daughter of the late Sumner Redstone stands to make about $2 billion from the Skydance deal.
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