CNN CEO says he is enthusiastic about remaining after Paramount acquisition

CNN chief executive Mark Thompson told staff at a town-hall meeting on Wednesday that he is "enthusiastic about staying" with the network. He added that he does not yet know how the pending acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance will shape CNN’s future operations.

Thompson said he cannot specify when a transition might begin or when executives from the new parent company could appear at CNN facilities. The remarks came during a scheduled meeting that was not arranged in response to the recent antitrust settlement involving Paramount Skydance and state attorneys general.

The CEO noted that it remains unclear whether Paramount intends to merge CNN with CBS News, which is also owned by the acquiring firm, and he offered no further details on possible next steps.

CNN declined to comment further, and the company did not provide additional information about the integration plans.