Embattled CBS News co-president Neeraj Khemlani, whose two-year cost-cutting reign was marked by clashes with high-profile anchors and HR complaints, is leaving the network.
The surprise shakeup was confirmed by CBS brass shortly after The Post published a story online Sunday that the mercurial network chief had been calling confidantes to inform them he’s out.
Rumors of his exit hit a fever pitch last week after The Post ran an exclusive story on July 30 that Khemlani was being monitored by an HR executive after a slew of complaints for his alleged “bullying, rude” behavior.
Khemlani’s schedule for this week had been cleared despite the very fact he was slated to return Monday from a week-long family vacation in Europe, sources with knowledge told The Post.
CBS had planned to announce a restructuring on Monday, one other insider told The Post.
The Post’s report of his impending departure apparently moved up those plans. Khemlani, whose three-year contract expires next spring, sent a memo to CBS News staffers on Sunday announcing plans to start a recent stage of his profession.
“(I’m) looking forward to slipping my reporter’s notebook back into my pocket and heading out on a recent adventure,” he said in his farewell to staffers, which was sent to The Post.
Khemlani — who was answerable for prized programs that include “CBS Evening News” “60 Minutes, “CBS Mornings” and “Face the Nation” — will now seek to develop content in a recent multi-year, first-look cope with CBS, in accordance with the memo.
CBS CEO Gorge Cheeks, who brought within the divisive network chief, sent out a memo to staff confirming Khemlani’s departure and said the 2 had been discussing “his potential transition for a while.”
Sources have pointed to Wendy McMahon, Khemlani’s co-president who runs the CBS Television Stations and CBS News Digital divisions, because the front-runner to take over his responsibilities for running the News division,
The restructuring will likely name deputies who will report back to McMahon, the insider said.
Khemlani’s downfall comes after reports surfaced that he blew up at Chief Financial Officer Stacey Benson and one other female executive on her team during a budget meeting in April.
Since taking the reins in May 2021, Khemlani — a former Hearst executive — has been under “immense pressure” from Cheeks to hit certain budget numbers, insiders said.
He immediately clashed with “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell over contract matters, The Post reported.
Khemlani’s flamable temper, meanwhile, reportedly translated to plunging morale amongst CBS News staffers, who’ve described their boss as “rude” and “micro-managing.”
As previously reported by The Post, those complaints have led to a bigger internal review headed by CBS corporate HR exec Whitney Delich.
The review, which began in 2022, was focused on how Khemlani speaks to women and employees of color.
Prior to the investigation, Singaporean-born Khemlani had been subjected to a “360 performance review” by his bosses and direct reports, which resulted in mandatory counseling on speak to employees “without sarcasm” while using “friendly body language,” multiple sources said on the time.
Meanwhile, Khemlani has been, within the words of 1 well-placed source, “cutting the division to the bone,” in what some see as a possible path to spin off the network as its parent Paramount Global — which also owns Paramount Pictures, Showtime, MTV and Nickelodeon, amongst others — focuses on streaming.