Mark Thompson, former New York Times Company and BBC exec, expected to serve as the next CEO of CNN after Chris Licht's epic PR fail, according to new report

President and CEO of the New York Times Company Mark Thompson speaks onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2017 at Pier 36 on May 15, 2017 in New York City.

Noam Galai/Getty Images for TechCrunch

• Puck reported CNN has tapped Mark Thompson to step in as CEO and chairman.
• Thompson formerly served as CEO of the New York Times Company and director general at the BBC.
• The news comes after Chris Licht stepped down following low ratings and what many called a PR disaster.

Mark Thompson, who formerly served as CEO of the New York Times Company and director general at the BBC, has been tapped to take over as CEO and chairman at CNN, Puck News first reported Tuesday.

Thompson's takeover could be announced by CNN as soon as Wednesday, or even earlier, Puck's Dylan Byers reported, citing two unnamed sources that know the company's plans.

The news comes almost three months after the resignation of CEO Chris Licht, who stepped down less than a week after The Atlantic published an in-depth profile on him that left media bigwigs horrified, according to Insider Global Editor-in-Chief Nich Carlson.

Licht's 13 months at CNN were characterized by big shakeups and a widely criticized town hall with former President Donald Trump.

CNN did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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