CNN’s boss will remain as Paramount and WBD merge into Skydance

CNN CEO Mark Thompson will remain at the head of the news network when Paramount’s $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition closes this week. Thompson wrote in a memo to employees that he believes the combined company will “fully support the principle and practice of the kind of independent news that CNN has always stood for,” according to a report from The New York Times. The news comes as part of an announcement detailing the combined company’s executive leadership.

The entertainment giant revealed the rest of its executive lineup as well, with HBO CEO Casey Bloys serving as the chief content officer of Skydance’s streaming business. Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg will head up Skydance’s film studios, while George Cheeks will run its TV business. Bari Weiss, who was appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News last year, will remain in her role even as ratings decline.

Paramount’s acquisition is expected to close on Tuesday.