CBS president and co-head of CBS News and Stations Neeraj Khemlani is stepping down from his role.
Khemlani told staff in a memo that he will be moving on to a new chapter with a multi-year, multi-platform deal with the corporation to develop content like documentaries, scripted series and books for Simon & Schuster.
“It’s an opportunity that will allow me to write, report and develop stories that I’ve long wanted to pursue,” he wrote. “There’s no question that this has been a transformative period. We built the best morning show in the history of CBS News, reimagined our streaming channel and invested in the reporting ranks and the D.C. Bureau – including the Evening News – to position the network for excellence in the next presidential election.”
Wendy McMahon, Khemlani’s co-president who runs the CBS Television Stations and CBS News Digital divisions, is reportedly the front-runner to take over his responsibilities.
Khemlani’s downfall came after reports that he blew up at chief financial officer Stacey Benson and another female executive on her team during a budget meeting in April.
“Neeraj will leave CBS News with our broadcasts stronger and our streaming footprint bigger and better,” said president and CEO of CBS George Cheeks. “CBS News and Stations is much better positioned for its multi-platform future. I’m so proud of the journalism on display every day from this division. The quality and diversity of stories we tell is so vital to the viewers we serve.”