CBS News Loses Top Executive Amidst Pressures
Adrienne Roark, President of Paramount Global's news division, announced her departure on Thursday, marking the latest in a string of executive exits at CBS News.
Roark's departure follows industry reports that she was in talks with Tegna for several weeks. She will leave CBS at the end of February to join the TV-station group formerly part of Gannett.
CBS News has faced various challenges, including a lawsuit by former President Donald Trump over a "60 Minutes" interview perceived to have influenced the 2024 election. Paramount Global has considered settling the case due to concerns about potential delays in its acquisition by Skydance Media.
CEO Wendy McMahon declined to name a replacement for Roark during Thursday's meeting, indicating that the company would take time to consider its options.
Roark's tenure was marked by a public reprimand of "CBS Mornings" anchor Tony Dokoupil for an interview with author Ta-Nehisis Coates. The interview sparked controversy and even criticism from Paramount Global's controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone.
As CBS News reshapes its operations, McMahon continues to press for greater collaboration between the national newsgathering division and affiliate stations. CBS recently announced a new format for "CBS Evening News" emphasizing enterprise reporting and features.