Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, announced that she will be stepping down as the leader of the news organization.
McMahon’s departure is the latest CBS News executive to depart as the network’s parent company, Paramount Global, awaits regulatory approval to complete its merger with Skydance Media this year. Paramount is facing political pressure from President Donald Trump‘s administration concerning its news content, particularly its flagship Sunday newsmagazine, 60 Minutes.
In a memo to staffers, McMahon said that her time at CBS News was one of “the most meaningful chapters in my career.” She also praised her colleagues, writing that their “commitment to truth, fairness and the highest standard is unassailable.”
In acknowledging their accomplishments, McMahon also alluded to why she was departing, saying: “The past few months have been challenging. It’s become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward. It’s time for me to move on and for this organization to move forward with new leadership.”
McMahon has been with CBS News since May 2021, when she was named president and co-head of CBS News & Stations after serving as the president of ABC Owned and Operated Stations. McMahon was elevated to president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures in August 2023.
In a separate statement, Paramount Global president and CEO George Cheeks said: “I want to thank Wendy for her partnership over the past four years. Under her leadership, the competitive position and culture at our television stations have improved dramatically, and we’ve expanded local news significantly.”
Cheeks announced a new interim reporting structure, which includes CBS News president Tom Cibrowski and CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell reporting directly to him. Scott Trupchak, who heads advertising sales, and John Budkins, who oversees programming and production for CBS Media Ventures, will now report to Bryon Rubin, CBS’ chief operating officer and CFO.
Cheeks also noted that McMahon will remain with the organization for the next few weeks to assist with the transition.
In April, longtime 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens resigned from his position, citing a loss of journalistic independence as the reason for his departure.
“Over the past months, it has become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for ‘60 Minutes,’ right for the audience,” Owens wrote in a memo to staff at the time. “I am stepping aside so the show can move forward.”
