CBS News President Neeraj Khemlani quietly announces to his confidants that he’s out
CBS News’ embattled co-president Neeraj Khemlani has told people he was forced out of office after a turbulent two-year reign, The Post has learned.
The moody network boss, who was put under the supervision of a human resources manager after a spate of complaints about his alleged “bully, rude” behavior, The Post reported July 30, has told CBS insiders that he will no longer oversee the news department, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.
Insiders said that rumors about his departure were in full swing after the story was revealed in The Post last week and Khemlani’s schedule for this week is settled, although he was due to return from a week-long family vacation in Europe on Monday.
It’s unclear if he’ll stay with CBS for the remainder of his three-year contract, which ends next spring.
A source familiar with the situation said CBS is expected to announce the leadership reshuffle as early as Monday.
Khemlani representatives did not respond to the Post’s request for comment.
CBS did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Sources have indicated that Wendy McMahon, Khemlani’s co-president, who heads the CBS Television Stations and CBS News Digital businesses, is the top candidate to assume his responsibilities as head of the news division, which includes “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Mornings” belong.”
As part of the reorganization, deputies will likely be named to report to McMahon, the insider said.
Khemlani’s alleged fall comes shortly after reports surfaced that he blew up CFO Stacey Benson and another female executive on her team at a budget meeting in April.
Since taking over in the spring of 2021, Khemlani — a former Hearst exec — has been under “immense pressure” from CBS CEO George Cheeks to meet certain budget figures, insiders said.
He immediately clashed with CBS Evening News host Norah O’Donnell over contract issues, The Post reported.
Khemlani’s hot temper, meanwhile, has reportedly caused a mood swing among CBS News staff, who have described their boss as “rude” and “micro-manageable.”
As The Post previously reported, those complaints prompted a major internal review led by CBS HR manager Whitney Delich.
The review, which began in 2022, focused on how Khemlani appeals to women and employees of color.
Prior to the investigation, Singapore-born Khemlani underwent a “360-degree performance review” from his managers and direct reports, which resulted in mandatory counseling on how to speak to employees “without sarcasm” while using “friendly body language,” according to sources said then.
Meanwhile, in the words of one well-informed source, Khemlani “has nailed the split” in what some see as a possible way to spin off the network as its parent company, Paramount Global — which also includes Paramount Pictures . Showtime, MTV and Nickelodeon, among others, focus on streaming.
