CNN appoint ex-BBC boss Mark Thompson to lead network after dismal ratings

Mark Thompson has taken over at CNN (Image: Getty) The former BBC director general has been appointed boss of US news outlet CNN, as the network battles to arrest spiralling ratings ahead of the 2024 presidential race. Mark Thompson, who was the top dog at the UK’s national broadcaster between 2004 and 2012, replaces Chris Licht, who was the executive producer of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert before taking the lead at CNN. Licht was in the job only 16 months after ratings fell through the floor. In March 2022 they were 61 per cent down on the previous year, according to Nielsen, with a prime time average audience of a meagre 473,000. Welcoming his new appointment, David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive, said: ‘There isn’t a more experienced, respected or capable executive in the news business today than Mark, and we are thrilled to have him join our team.’ The 66-year-old Mr Thompson walks into a newsroom fighting to keep CNN’s brand relevant as consumers of news media turn elsewhere, apparently unsatisfied by the outlet’s recent offerings. CNN has struggled with collapsing ratings (Image: Getty) Warner Bros. Discovery has also cut back on staffing off the back of the merger between Warner Media and Discovery. The major editorial decision facing Mr Thompson centres on how the network handles Donald Trump ‘s second bite of the White House cherry. During the 45th president’s first term in office, ratings exploded and hit a 40-year high as the channel played up to its liberal-leaning audience by going after Mr Trump. However, since the election of Joe Biden , viewing figures have fallen off a cliff and the outlet’s management has sought to move the broadcaster back to the centre. Chris Licht was sacked from CNN after just 16 months (Image: Getty) Mr Thompson does have a strong record of turning around ailing media institutions, though. In 2012 he took over the struggling New York Times and transformed it into an internationally-consumed digital media giant. He said of his appointment: ‘I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get down to work with my new colleagues to build a successful future for CNN.’ During his tenure at the BBC Mr Thompson suspended Jonathan Ross after an incident involving comedian Russell Brand in 2006. He joined the broadcaster in 1979 before taking the reigns in 2004.