CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon announced her resignation on Monday, marking a dramatic shift in the ongoing internal conflict between CBS News and its parent company, Paramount Global. Her departure follows increasing friction with Paramount’s leadership, particularly with co-CEO George Cheeks and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone. According to individuals familiar with the matter, Cheeks asked for McMahon’s resignation during a private meeting on Saturday. The decision was shared with the Paramount Global board on Sunday.
In a farewell note to employees, McMahon stated that the company and she disagreed on the future direction of CBS News, prompting her exit. Her resignation comes just months after long-time “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens stepped down, citing mounting pressure and editorial interference from Paramount Global. The network’s demands for early access to content marked a departure from the traditional independence “60 Minutes” had maintained, sparking concerns among journalists. The program’s last episode of the season aired Sunday, with no new content scheduled until September.
McMahon reportedly faced internal resistance in getting “60 Minutes” on air in recent weeks, as Paramount Global’s board was hesitant about certain stories. Sources indicate that Shari Redstone’s dissatisfaction with CBS News has been growing, citing both journalistic and financial concerns. Among them were tensions over coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a reported dispute involving the editing of an October interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Redstone had also disagreed with McMahon’s decision to discipline anchor Tony Dokoupil over an interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates, describing the move as a misstep.
These editorial clashes have coincided with Paramount’s ongoing efforts to finalize a merger with Skydance Media. The deal, which could earn Redstone over $1.5 billion, is still pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission. One sticking point is an interview aired on “60 Minutes,” which remains under scrutiny by federal regulators. The FCC is also reportedly pressuring media firms to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives—another area where Paramount has made policy changes, aligning with directives from former President Donald Trump. McMahon was appointed CEO of CBS News in August 2023, but her tenure has now ended amid these multifaceted corporate and editorial disputes.
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