In 2021, CBS News made some changes at the top as it appointed Neeraj Khemlani as its co-president along with ex-ABC executive Wendy McMahon.
The hiring isn’t a year old, but the New York Post reports that there’s some grumbling from employees that he is “rude” and “micromanaging.” The network is reassessing budgets, and there’s some concern that its top talent could be departing.
Big-name anchors like Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell, who are currently renegotiating their contracts, could be on the way out if the new presidents decide to prioritize budget cuts.
“There has never been a more unpopular news division president,” said one CBS veteran. “I don’t think people would be surprised if he’s not here in a couple months.”
Multiple sources told The Post that Khemlani’s sharp elbows have not only provoked several employees to file human resources complaints.
As a result, it led agents for CBS staffers to complain on their clients’ behalf to CBS CEO George Cheeks, who hired Khemlani after taking the helm last January. However, it’s unclear whether any disciplinary action is going to occur.
“Neeraj and Wendy are in the process of leading CBS News and Stations into a dual broadcast and streaming future,” Cheeks told The Post in a statement.
“At every turn, their moves have been thoughtful, strategic and forward-thinking. Change is hard. Evolution is necessary. I support their vision for a next-generation news operation.”
Meanwhile, some staffers in the trenches say they are growing exhausted of evading bullets from Khemlani. One employee recounted a video conference that the exec held with roughly 200 staffers on the call during his first week on the job.
Despite being new to his position, Khemlani took jabs at various news teams, complaining how slowly they got on the air to report breaking stories, among other harsh critiques.
“You’ll be seeing several new hire announcements in the coming weeks that will build on this momentum. Part of any successful transformation is change, and that involves deploying resources in different ways,” a CBS spokesperson said.
“Make no mistake, this is not about cutting; it’s about building and positioning CBS News and its prestigious brand to compete and succeed in a broadcast and streaming world.”