MUMBAI: Princell Hair has been named US chief of CNN's news operations, replacing Teya Ryan, who has quit the company after a long spell of speculation on her departure.

Hair is the new executive vice president and general manager of CNN/US. Earlier, he was vice president of news for Viacom Inc's Television Stations Group, where he oversaw news coverage. The company has said Ryan, who served as Atlanta-based CNN's executive vice president and general manager, resigned her post to "pursue opportunities outside the CNN organization".

Hair, regarded as a veteran of local TV news, oversaw news coverage across the Viacom umbrella of 39 television stations in 15 major US markets. "Princell brings to his new role, demonstrated expertise as a newsroom executive and gifted leader," CNN News Group President Jim WaltonWalton said in a statement.

According to media reports, Ryan had been facing pressure due to CNN's plunging ratings and ill-fated shows like Talk Back Live and a primetime programme hosted by Connie Chung.

Hair is to have two deputies - Sue Bonda, promoted to senior vice president for CNN/US, responsible for programming and all editorial content from CNN's domestic bureaus and Newsource; and Jack Womack, senior vice president for CNN/US, in charge of operations and administration.

Ryan's anticipated resignation has been the subject of media speculation for several weeks now. Her ascent at CNN coincided with the network falling behind rival Fox News Channel, an arm of Rupert Murdoch's Fox Entertainment Group.