Alex McCallum returned to CNN to oversee efforts to make the storied news organization more relevant to digital audiences. Now she may be ready to do even more.
McCollum, a media industry veteran who has helped manage the digital transitions of the Washington Post and New York Times, has been named chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Discovery’s CNN, news chief executive Mark Thompson said in a memo released Thursday.
“Alex McCollum has already played a key role in turning CNN’s vision of the future into reality,” Thompson said in a memo to staff, adding, “In his two remarkable years since returning to CNN, Alex has already stepped up the ranks in record time. In addition to building a world-class digital operation and transforming our core product, she has led and launched a direct-to-consumer sub-business, assembled outstanding leaders in audience, data, product and technology, and focused on engagement and monetization. We have had great working relationships with all of our other top leaders.”
McCallum’s new role was previously reported by media industry newsletter Status.
The new role will likely put McCollum ahead of many of his more traditional journalistic colleagues at CNN. This journalism feeds the company’s linear cable network and continues to generate the majority of the revenue and operating income that supports the company’s finances. However, those business flows have problems. CNN is expected to end 2026 with 62 million cable subscribers, up from 67.1 million in 2024, according to market research firm Kagan, part of S&P Global Intelligence. Still, advertising and distribution prices are expected to rise this year, likely due to the 2026 midterm elections. It is usually the news cycle that draws a wider audience to the network.
McCollum was not given oversight of CNN’s coverage. CNN news executives, including Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley and Eric Scharling, will continue to report to Mr. Thompson. The trio helped keep CNN on track despite a flurry of leadership changes at CNN in recent years. Mr. McCollum’s new responsibilities include overseeing consumer strategy. Business Operations; Strategic Partnerships and Business Development. and special “mission-driven” project work.
CNN has had chief operating officers in the past. In 2023, David Levy, a longtime lieutenant to Warner CEO David Zaslav, was given the role and tasked with overseeing many of CNN’s business operations. His appointment comes as former CNN chief Chris Licht faced a series of public challenges and backlash from his staff. Levy left CNN after two years and left Warner Bros. Discovery shortly thereafter.
McCollum is in his second stint at CNN. During her first stint, she helped launch CNN+, a subscription streaming hub that launched with much fanfare but quickly fell apart after CNN’s parent company, WarnerMedia, merged with Discovery Communications. Some observers believe killing the service was a big mistake because it slowed CNN’s efforts to develop a broadband audience while rivals like NBC News and Fox News moved forward. Now, McCallum may be in a position to continue his important work.
