CNN has named Mark Thompson, a former chief executive of The New York Times NYT and former director-general of the BBC, as the company’s new leader, the company announced Wednesday. “There isn’t a more experienced, respected or capable executive in the news business today than Mark, and we are thrilled to have him join our team and lead CNN Worldwide into the future,” David Zaslav, the chief executive of CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, said in a statement.

Thompson—who will begin in his new role October 9—takes over a CNN shaken by ratings declines and talent turnover, and the short time the network was led by Chris Licht, who launched a new morning show, CNN This Morning, that has so far failed to reverse CNN’s ratings struggles.

Thompson, in a statement, said he “couldn’t be more excited about the chance to join CNN after years of watching it and competing against it with a mixture of admiration and envy.”

“The world needs accurate trustworthy news now more than ever and we’ve never had more ways of meeting that need at home and abroad,” Thompson said. “Where others see disruption, I see opportunity. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get down to work with my new colleagues to build a successful future for CNN.”

Thompson, in his time at The New York Times, was credited with guiding that company through a transition from a legacy media brand into a modern digital media company, growing its digital subscriptions, which today near 10 million—most of them digital-only.

That experience may be critical as CNN, like other television news brands, faces shifting viewer habits and an aging audience. Last week, CNN parent Warner Bros. Discovery announced plans for a dedicated CNN channel on Max, the streaming service, which will simulcast some of CNN’s best-known shows.