After heading CBS News and Sports as President since 2005, Sean McManus (pictured) is going to focus exclusively on the sports side. Two executives have been named to top posts at CBS News.
As the changes take effect February 22nd, McManus will hold the post of Chairman, CBS Sports. In this role, CBS Corporation says he will focus on the expanding portfolio of sports properties across all CBS Sports operations.
CBS has promoted Jeff Fager, Executive Producer of “60 Minutes,” to the position of Chairman of CBS News. Also, David Rhodes, former head of US Television for Bloomberg, has been named President of the CBS News Division.
“Sports continues to grow into an ever-more important asset to CBS,” said CBS Corporation CEO Les Moonves. “As we expand our operations at CBS Sports, CBS College Sports Network and in other parts of our company as well, we will require Sean’s uncommon depth of knowledge of the business, his deal-making acumen and his unique and positive relationships throughout the world of sports to keep CBS on top of that game. I know all of us at CBS congratulate him on his new position as Chairman of CBS Sports.”
In his new role as Chairman of CBS News, Fager will report to Moonves and guide the overall editorial direction, content and quality of all CBS News broadcasts, both on-air and online. As President of the division, Rhodes will report to Fager and run the operations of CBS News on a day-to-day basis, taking charge of all coverage and staffing.
“In these two great news professionals, we get the best of both worlds: the quintessential insider with deep knowledge of the business and all the moving parts at CBS News, as well as a dynamic young executive with strong news management experience and a tough, fresh point of view. They will inherit a proud and dedicated organization that has been well positioned for success in the future by their predecessor. Together, they make the ultimate winning team,” said Moonves.
RBR-TVBR observation: Now we wait to see what Katie Couric decides to do. If she heads off with Jeff Zucker to launch a new daytime talker Fager and Rhodes will have to deal with figuring out how to re-invigorate the CBS Evening News.
