CNN Names Mark Thompson, Former BBC and New York Times Executive, as Its New Leader

FILE - Former BBC Director General Mark Thompson arrives at Portcullis House in London, Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. Thompson was appointed as chair and CEO of CNN by David Zaslav, head of the network's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, which made the announcement Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Thompson replaces Chris Licht, who was fired in June, and a four-person team that had been running CNN in the interim.AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

NEW YORK—A former chief executive of the BBC and The New York Times who says he sees opportunity in times of disruption was chosen Wednesday to lead CNN, which has burned through two leaders and bled viewers over the past two years.

Mark Thompson was appointed as CNN’s new chair and CEO by the network’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. Thompson will replace Chris Licht, who was fired in June, and a four-person team that had been running CNN in the interim, when he takes over Oct. 9.