LONDON: CNN’s new CEO Mark Thompson plans to combine all newsgathering operations of the news network into one unit that would serve its television, streaming and digital platforms, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Thompson is also looking to monetize CNN’s offerings, potentially through subscriptions, he said in an interview with the Journal. He intends to take advantage of the vertical video format that is popular with younger consumers, but did not announce any concrete plans for new products.
“I’m not even sure that subscription is the right pathway for CNN,” Thompson was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
CNN declined to comment in response to a Reuters request.
The WSJ also reported that Alex MacCallum, who was most recently the Washington Post’s revenue chief, would join CNN in March as its executive vice president of digital products and services.
MacCallum will oversee efforts to develop products and subscriptions, the Journal added.
CNN-parent Warner Bros Discovery appointed Thompson to the CEO role last year, tasking the former New York Times and BBC chief with reviving the news network beset with sagging ratings and falling profits.
Thompson replaced Chris Licht at CNN, who had tried to boost viewership by attracting more Republican viewers.
Warner Bros Discovery in April 2022 shuttered its CNN+ streaming service less than a month after its highly touted launch, while the executive who helped design its strategy also departed the company.
CNN boss plans to merge newsgathering ops, explores digital subscription model
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CNN boss plans to merge newsgathering ops, explores digital subscription model
- Move is part of efforts to revive viewership, attract younger audience
Tunisian journalist Chatha BelHajj Mubarak freed after sentence cut
- The court cut her sentence from five years to two, making her eligible for immediate release, her brother told Reuters
TUNIS: A Tunisian appeal court on Wednesday ordered the release of journalist Chatha BelHajj Mubarak, jailed since 2023 in a conspiracy case, after reducing her prison sentence, her family said.
The court cut her sentence from five years to two, making her eligible for immediate release, her brother told Reuters.
She was convicted in the so-called “Instalingo” case, which involved politicians, media figures and other defendants accused of conspiracy and financial crimes. BelHajj Mubarak denied the charges.
“Chatha is free and leaving prison,” her brother, Amen BelHajj Mubarak, said.
He said her health had severely deteriorated during her time in prison. She suffered serious complications, including significant hearing loss, and was diagnosed with cancer in detention, he added.
Tunisian authorities have said the case stems from judicial investigations into alleged financial and security-related offenses, and have rejected accusations by opposition groups that the prosecutions were politically motivated.
Tunisian prosecutors are pursuing a number of high-profile conspiracy cases involving politicians, journalists and activists. Several opposition leaders have received lengthy prison terms.
