Veteran media duo to lead CBS News

ViacomCBS has tapped two media executives to oversee its unit responsible for shows like “60 Minutes” and “CBS This Morning” with Gayle King.

The owner of MTV and Nickelodeon named Hearst executive Neeraj Khemlani and former ABC exec Wendy McMahon as co-presidents of CBS News, taking over from current division president Susan Zirinsky after just two years.

Zirinsky, a well-respected TV news producer who inspired Holly Hunter’s character in “Broadcast News,” plans to remain in her current role until the newcomers are acclimated, the company said. She’ll then take on a “significant role” at CBS News Content Studio, a yet-to-belaunched unit that’s expected to be involved in video news production.

For both Khemlani and McMahon, the new gig represents a homecoming.

Prior to moving to Hearst 12 years ago, Khemlani worked as a producer at CBS’s “60 Minutes” for eight years. While at Hearst, his roles included serving as executive vice president and deputy group head of Hearst Newspapers. He previously oversaw Hearst’s entertainment and syndication division responsible for cable-network partnerships with ESPN and A+E.

McMahon spent seven years at various CBS-owned TV stations before moving to rival ABC 12 years ago, where she most recently served as president of ABC-owned TV stations, including oversight of eight broadcast stations and local newsrooms.

George Cheeks, president and CEO of the CBS Entertainment Group, hailed the duo for their “leadership background and cross-platform accomplishments” and for sharing “our commitment for supporting superior journalism, optimal delivery platforms and the strongest of organizational cultures.”