There isn’t a more experienced, respected

 There isn’t a more experienced, respected

 capable executive in the news business today than Mark,” said WBD CEO David Zaslav in an accompanying statement. “His strategic vision, track record in transformational leadership, and sheer passion for news make him a formidable force for CNN and journalism at this pivotal time.”

From what I’m told, Thompson’s name was at the top of Zaslav’s list pretty much right away after he fired Chris Licht in early June. 

In high-level strategy meetings about CNN, there’s been an acknowledgment that the network needs to “do what the Times did” in transforming an iconic legacy news brand. So why not get the guy who stewarded the Times through that very era of change? 

As a source close to the process put it, “He should have been the choice in the first place.” (For what it’s worth, Thompson’s former partners in crime at the Times sang his praises; Levien called him “a remarkable leader…intently focused on talent development,” and publisher A.G. Sulzberger said, “CNN is lucky to have him.”)