Chris Licht is stepping down because the chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, ending a tumultuous tenure as the primary chief of the community underneath father or mother Warner Bros. Discovery.
Licht’s departure comes after a bombshell profile in The Atlantic infuriated staffers, already upset over the way in which {that a} latest city corridor with President Donald Trump was dealt with.
The community had no rapid remark. Puck first reported on Licht’s exit, and CNN quickly reported on his exit.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav advised staffers in CNN’s morning name that Licht was leaving and {that a} search was on for a brand new CEO. “It didn’t work out,” he stated.
In a memo to staffers, Zaslav wrote, “This job was by no means going to be simple, particularly at a time of nice disruption and transformation, and Chris poured his coronary heart and soul into it. He has a deep love for journalism and this enterprise and that has been evident all through his tenure. Sadly, issues didn’t work out the way in which we had hoped – and finally that’s on me. I take accountability.”
Amy Entelis, Eric Sherling and Virginia Moseley will run editorial in the intervening time, Zaslav stated, and they are going to be joined by David Leavy. Leavy, a high aide to Zaslav, was named COO of CNN final week, resulting in hypothesis that Licht’s time on the community was brief.
Licht has been with the community for simply over a yr, having had a sequence of successes in serving to to launch Morning Joe on MSNBC, revitalize CBS’s morning present after which take the reins of The Late Present with Stephen Colbert, which overtook The Tonight Present with Jimmy Fallon within the scores.
However CNN’s scores continued to fall throughout his tenure. An try to revitalize the morning present has sputtered with the compelled pairing of Don Lemon, Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow. Lemon finally was fired by Licht.
Zaslav’s memo saying Licht’s exit is under:
All,
This morning we’re saying that Chris Licht will probably be leaving CNN and we will probably be conducting a large search, internally and externally, for a brand new chief. I needed you to listen to this information instantly from me because it impacts you and your groups.
I’ve identified Chris for a few years and have huge respect for him, personally and professionally. This job was by no means going to be simple, particularly at a time of nice disruption and transformation, and Chris poured his coronary heart and soul into it. He has a deep love for journalism and this enterprise and that has been evident all through his tenure. Sadly, issues didn’t work out the way in which we had hoped – and finally that’s on me. I take accountability. For sure, we respect Chris’ efforts and dedication and want him all the perfect.
We’ve got put in place a strong transition plan with the appointment of an appearing management group made up of skilled programming executives… Amy Entelis, EVP, Expertise & Content material Improvement, Virginia Moseley, EVP, Editorial, and Eric Sherling, EVP, U.S. Programming, together with David Leavy, COO, on the industrial facet. We’ve got nice confidence on this group and can absolutely help them till a brand new CEO is called. We’re in good palms, permitting us to take the time we have to run a considerate and thorough seek for a brand new chief. I acknowledge that adjustments like this may be tense and respect your continued persistence as we transfer by this course of.
You’ve heard me say it many instances: CNN has the best journalists on this planet… we’re deeply dedicated to supporting them and the crucial work that CNN does day by day. We should get this proper – and we are going to!
David
Extra to return.
