Sir Mark Thompson is Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide where he oversees all aspects of the business in the U.S. and around the world. He also serves as the editor-in-chief of CNN. Mark was knighted for services to Media in King Charles III’s Birthday Honours in June 2023. In addition to his work at CNN, Mark is the Chairman of Ancestry; Deputy Chair of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Co-Chair of the International Fund for Public Interest Media, a new global fund to support journalists around the world.
Sir Mark Thompson is a visionary British media executive whose leadership has reshaped global journalism through creativity, courage, and intellect. As Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, he stands at the forefront of modern broadcasting, guiding one of the world’s most influential news networks into a new era of innovation, integrity, and digital transformation. His career reflects an unwavering belief in the power of storytelling to inform, unite, and inspire humanity across borders and generations.
Born in England and educated at Merton College, Oxford, Sir Mark began his career at the BBC, where his talent for journalistic excellence and bold strategic vision quickly propelled him into senior roles. As Director-General of the BBC, he oversaw a golden period of creative renewal, digital expansion, and global reach — introducing groundbreaking channels and programs that elevated the BBC’s role as a trusted global voice. His leadership not only preserved the BBC’s traditions of accuracy and fairness but also modernized its presence for a digital world that was rapidly evolving.
In 2012, he became President and CEO of The New York Times Company, where he transformed one of the world’s most respected newspapers into a thriving digital powerhouse. Under his leadership, The Times reached record global readership and financial success, redefining journalism for the digital age. Now, at CNN, Sir Mark continues to inspire with a vision of fearless, fact-based reporting and technological innovation — championing truth in an era that needs it most. His legacy is one of integrity, intellectual rigor, and an enduring commitment to journalism’s highest ideals: to enlighten, empower, and elevate the world through the pursuit of truth.
Mark is married and has three children and is based in New York City.
CNN, or Cable News Network, is an American news-based pay television channel owned by WarnerMedia News & Sports, a division of AT&T’s WarnerMedia. It was founded in 1980 by media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld as a 24-hour cable news channel. CNN was the first television channel to provide 24-hour news coverage and was the first all-news television channel in the United States. It offers both domestic and international news coverage, as well as a variety of talk shows, documentaries, and other programming. CNN has become one of the world’s most recognized news brands and is known for its breaking news coverage, investigative journalism, and political commentary.
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