Adrienne Roark, Jennifer Mitchell Take Oversight of CBS News, CBS Stations

As a seasoned movie buff with decades of observing the evolution of media under my belt, I must admit that this latest move by Paramount Global intrigues me. The convergence of CBS News and local stations, two pillars of traditional broadcasting, is reminiscent of a classic Hollywood plot twist – the unexpected merging of two rival studios to create a powerhouse empire.


The upcoming CBS News president will additionally oversee a network of significant local stations in New York City and Boston.

Adrienne Roark and Jennifer Mitchell have been appointed to oversee CBS News and CBS’s local stations respectively, as part of Paramount Global’s recent moves to streamline the operations of these two businesses. This change highlights CBS’s priority on merging local television broadcasting with national news reporting – key components of the media industry – in a period where the surge of streaming video has significantly disrupted their traditional financial models.

“Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of the company’s national newsgathering operations, local stations, and syndication unit, stated that our journalists and team members are now collaborating more closely and effectively to boost the quality of all shows and broadcasts. This organizational setup is intended to foster a modern news organization. By partnering with our skilled teams in every newsroom, each leader will improve our reporting and prepare us for future success.”

In an unexpected move, McMahon has announced she will personally take charge of the news programs airing on CBS. In a memo sent out on Monday, she informed staff members that “I will now be responsible for managing our Network broadcasts, collaborating closely with show executive producers to optimize our brands across both traditional and digital platforms.”

Mitchell is set to take on the role of President for CBS News and Stations’ Division focused on Stations, a position that comes with primary management responsibilities for CBS Stations and their local and digital properties. Her purview will now encompass 23 out of the 27 CBS-owned stations, as she inherits seven stations in the Eastern region previously managed by Roark. Contrarily, Roark will retain leadership roles at WCBS and WLNY in New York, along with WBZ and WSBK in Boston.

More to come…

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2024-08-05 17:17