CBS News Chief Neeraj Khemlani Steps Down Amidst Controversy

Photo: Michele Crowe, paramount.com

India-West News Desk

NEW YORK, NY – Neeraj Khemlani, the co-president of CBS News, has announced his departure from the network. Khemlani’s tumultuous two-year leadership was marked by budget-cutting measures, clashes with prominent anchors, and allegations of inappropriate behavior.

The decision was confirmed by CBS executives following a story published by The New York Post, revealing that Khemlani had been informing close associates of his departure. Rumors of his exit had gained momentum after The Post’s exclusive report on July 30, detailing HR complaints regarding his alleged bullying behavior.

Khemlani is a Singaporean-born American who was raised in New York City. He graduated with an undergraduate degree from Cornell University in 1992 and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. He is married to Heather Cabot, a former anchor and correspondent for ABC News. 

Amidstdevelopments, Khemlani had cleared his schedule for the week, despite his anticipated return from a week-long family vacation in Europe. CBS was planning to unveil a restructuring strategy on August 14, but the timing appears to have been expedited due to The Post’s report.

Khemlani, whose contract was set to expire next spring, shared a memo with CBS News staff on August 13, announcing his intention to embark on a new phase of his career. The memo stated that he would be pursuing a multi-year, first-look deal with CBS to create content, including documentaries, scripted series, and books.

George Cheeks, the CEO of CBS, acknowledged Khemlani’s departure and stated that discussions regarding his transition had been ongoing for some time. The future leadership and division structure of CBS News remain uncertain, leaving the network in a period of transition.

Khemlani’s tenure saw both successes and challenges, CNN said. Under his leadership, CBS News witnessed improvements in ratings and added prominent journalists to its roster. However, he also faced allegations of improper conduct and reportedly struggled with the network’s talent and budget demands.