CBS News boss Wendy McMahon on Monday installed a loyal lieutenant to replace controversial executive Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews in a bid to improve morale and revive the faltering network.
Adrienne Roark will take over as president of editorial and newsgathering for CBS News and Stations as part of a wider management shakeup, according to McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures.
Roark will assume much of the responsibilities held by Ciprian-Matthews, who was pushed out last month as CBS News president after allegedly resisting McMahon’s cost-cutting measures, as The Post reported.
The promotion comes on the heels of last week’s announcement that “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell will leave the show following the elections and that the last-placed news program will get a massive overhaul.
Roark, the former president of content development and integration, will also continue oversight of WCBS and WLNY in New York, as well as WBZ and WSBK in Boston, among her other duties.
McMahon also elevated Jennifer Mitchell to the role of president of stations and digital for CBS News and Stations.
Ciprian-Matthews — who faced accusations of blocking senior investigative reporter Catherine Herridge from aggressively covering the Hunter Biden saga before the award-winning journalist was fired in May — remains at the network through the election as a senior editorial adviser.
But with Dominican-born executive out of the way, McMahon can execute her vision for improving the network, sources said.
newsgathering for CBS News and Stations. Michele Crowe/CBS News
“These are interesting changes that will hopefully make CBS more competitive and improve the morale during some tough times,” one CBS insider told The Post.
“This consolidates the news division,” added a second CBS source. “It’s good because it is her team, her vision, there won’t be divisiveness.”
Both Roark and Mitchell will continue to report to McMahon, who will oversee all CBS News network broadcasts, working with the executive producers of the shows “to continue maximizing our brands to their fullest potential on broadcast and beyond,” McMahon said.
The Post reached out to CBS News and McMahon for comment.
Roark also announced some changes on her team that include elevating Wendy Fisher, a former well-respected ABC News exec, to the role of senior vice president of editorial. She will work closely with Terri Stewart, senior vice president of newsgathering. Both will report to Roark.
Meanwhile, executive producer of the CBS News Race and Culture Unit, Alvin Patrick, will expand his responsibilities to include specials and documentaries for platforms across CBS News, Stations and Media Ventures. He will report to McMahon.
The moves follow the stunning announcement that O’Donnell will depart the anchor chair after five years and be replaced with the less buzzy duo of veteran CBS News journalist John Dickerson and WCBS-TV anchorman Maurice DuBois.
The show will also move back to New York from its current set in Washington, DC, and feature a new format that will take direction from “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, who hopes to weave in more in-depth storytelling.
All this comes as CBS parent Paramount Global is expected to slash $500 million ahead of its likely merger with Skydance Media.
The deal, which is expected to close by September 2025, gives McMahon a short runway to make big strides in viewership –CBS News’ top shows “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Mornings” are both in last place — and in cost cuts.
“She doesn’t have a long leash given the Skydance merger looming,” the second CBS source said. “She has to make the case that she can move the needle.”
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