Embattled CBS Information co-president Neeraj Khemlani, whose two-year cost-cutting reign was marked by clashes with high-profile anchors and HR complaints, is leaving the community.
The shock shakeup was confirmed by CBS brass shortly after The Publish printed a narrative on-line Sunday that the mercurial community chief had been calling confidantes to inform them he’s out.
Rumors of his exit hit a fever pitch final week after The Publish ran an unique story on July 30 that Khemlani was being monitored by an HR executive after a slew of complaints for his alleged “bullying, impolite” conduct.
Khemlani’s schedule for this week had been cleared regardless of the actual fact he was slated to return Monday from a week-long household trip in Europe, sources with data advised The Publish.
CBS had deliberate to announce a restructuring on Monday, one other insider advised The Publish.
The Publish’s report of his impending departure apparently moved up these plans. Khemlani, whose three-year contract expires subsequent spring, despatched a memo to CBS Information staffers on Sunday saying plans to start a brand new stage of his profession.
“(I’m) wanting ahead to slipping my reporter’s pocket book again into my pocket and heading out on a brand new journey,” he stated in his farewell to staffers, which was obtained by The Publish.
Khemlani — who was answerable for prized applications that embrace “CBS Night Information” “60 Minutes, “CBS Mornings” and “Face the Nation” — will now search to develop content material in a brand new multi-year, first-look take care of CBS, based on the memo.
CBS CEO George Cheeks, who introduced within the divisive community chief, despatched out a memo to workers confirming Khemlani’s departure and stated the 2 had been discussing “his potential transition for a while.”
Representatives for CBS and Khemlani didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Sources have pointed to Wendy McMahon, Khemlani’s co-president who runs the CBS Tv Stations and CBS Information Digital divisions, because the front-runner to take over his obligations for working the Information division,
The restructuring will probably identify deputies who will report back to McMahon, the insider stated.
Khemlani’s downfall comes after reports surfaced that he blew up at Chief Monetary Officer Stacey Benson and one other feminine govt on her group throughout a finances assembly in April.
Since taking the reins in Could 2021, Khemlani — a former Hearst govt — has been beneath “immense strain” from Cheeks to hit certain budget numbers, insiders stated.
He instantly clashed with “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell over contract matters, The Post reported.
Khemlani’s flamable mood, in the meantime, reportedly translated to plunging morale among CBS News staffers, who’ve described their boss as “rude” and “micro-managing.”
As beforehand reported by The Publish, these complaints have led to a larger internal review headed by CBS corporate HR exec Whitney Delich.
The overview, which started in 2022, was targeted on how Khemlani speaks to ladies and staff of shade.
Previous to the investigation, Singaporean-born Khemlani had been subjected to a “360 performance review” by his bosses and direct experiences, which resulted in necessary counseling on the way to converse to staff “with out sarcasm” whereas utilizing “pleasant physique language,” a number of sources stated on the time.
Khemlani made no point out of any arduous emotions in his memo to workers Sunday.
“We maintained the #1 place of our iconic weekend applications, efficiently developed and launched enterprise plans to develop digital income that can maintain CBS Information for the subsequent era, and elevated and promoted so lots of the individuals who work right here day after day to ship on our journalistic mission,” Khemlani wrote in his memo.
“I’m so pleased with what all of you may have completed — the scores of journalistic wins, the very good storytelling, the creativity that enhanced each side of our programming — that has put this division on a stronger path ahead.”
Khemlani “put new enterprise plans in place to drive extra income, which is important in a difficult surroundings for all media corporations,” Cheeks stated in his memo.
Khemlani’s cost-cutting was seen by some as a doable path to spin off the community as its guardian Paramount International — which additionally owns Paramount Footage, Showtime, MTV and Nickelodeon, amongst others — focuses on streaming.
