Embattled CBS News co-president Neeraj Khemlani, whose two-year cost-cutting reign was marked by clashes with high-profile anchors and HR complaints, is leaving the network.
The surprise shakeup was confirmed by CBS brass shortly after The Post published a story online Sunday that the mercurial network chief had been calling confidantes to inform them he’s out.
Rumors of his exit hit a fever pitch last week after The Post ran an exclusive story on July 30 that Khemlani was being monitored by an HR executive after a slew of complaints for his alleged “bullying, rude” behavior.
Khemlani’s schedule for this week had been cleared despite the actual fact he was slated to return Monday from a week-long family vacation in Europe, sources with knowledge told The Post.
CBS had planned to announce a restructuring on Monday, one other insider told The Post.
The Post’s report of his impending departure apparently moved up those plans. Khemlani, whose three-year contract expires next spring, sent a memo to CBS News staffers on Sunday announcing plans to start a recent stage of his profession.
“(I’m) looking forward to slipping my reporter’s notebook back into my pocket and heading out on a recent adventure,” he said in his farewell to staffers, which was obtained by The Post.
Khemlani — who was answerable for prized programs that include “CBS Evening News” “60 Minutes, “CBS Mornings” and “Face the Nation” — will now seek to develop content in a recent multi-year, first-look cope with CBS, in keeping with the memo.
CBS CEO George Cheeks, who brought within the divisive network chief, sent out a memo to staff confirming Khemlani’s departure and said the 2 had been discussing “his potential transition for a while.”
Neeraj Khemlani has been telling confidants that he’s exiting his role as co-president of CBS News, ending a tumultuous run. Variety via Getty Images
Representatives for CBS and Khemlani didn’t reply to requests for comment.
Sources have pointed to Wendy McMahon, Khemlani’s co-president who runs the CBS Television Stations and CBS News Digital divisions, because the front-runner to take over his responsibilities for running the News division,
The restructuring will likely name deputies who will report back to McMahon, the insider said.
Khemlani’s downfall comes after reports surfaced that he blew up at Chief Financial Officer Stacey Benson and one other female executive on her team during a budget meeting in April.
Since taking the reins in May 2021, Khemlani — a former Hearst executive — has been under “immense pressure” from Cheeks to hit certain budget numbers, insiders said.
CBS News co-president Wendy McMahon is Khemlani’s heir apparent.
He immediately clashed with “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell over contract matters, The Post reported.
Khemlani’s flamable temper, meanwhile, reportedly translated to plunging morale amongst CBS News staffers, who’ve described their boss as “rude” and “micro-managing.”
As previously reported by The Post, those complaints have led to a bigger internal review headed by CBS corporate HR exec Whitney Delich.
The review, which began in 2022, was focused on how Khemlani speaks to women and employees of color.
The flamable Khemlani has been under pressure by his boss CBS CEO George Cheeks (left) to hit certain budget numbers. CBS via Getty Images
Prior to the investigation, Singaporean-born Khemlani had been subjected to a “360 performance review” by his bosses and direct reports, which resulted in mandatory counseling on the best way to speak to employees “without sarcasm” while using “friendly body language,” multiple sources said on the time.
Khemlani made no mention of any hard feelings in his memo to staff Sunday.
“We maintained the #1 position of our iconic weekend programs, successfully developed and launched business plans to grow digital revenue that may sustain CBS News for the following generation, and elevated and promoted so most of the individuals who work here day after day to deliver on our journalistic mission,” Khemlani wrote in his memo.
“I’m so pleased with what all of you’ve gotten achieved — the scores of journalistic wins, the superb storytelling, the creativity that enhanced every aspect of our programming — that has put this division on a stronger path forward.”
Khemlani “put recent business plans in place to drive more revenue, which is crucial in a difficult environment for all media firms,” Cheeks said in his memo.
Khemlani’s cost-cutting was seen by some as a possible path to spin off the network as its parent Paramount Global — which also owns Paramount Pictures, Showtime, MTV and Nickelodeon, amongst others — focuses on streaming.
