- Chris Licht is stepping down as CNN CEO after a tumultuous year.
- CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, announced the move Wednesday morning.
- Warner Chief Executive David Zaslav told employees in an email and a morning newsroom call that he was responsible for Licht’s mistake.
CNN is again looking for a new top executive, just over a year after outgoing CEO Chris Licht took over. And David Zaslav, CEO of CNN’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery, reportedly told CNN staff he would take responsibility for Licht’s difficult tenure.
News of Licht’s departure had previously been reported. Dylan Byers of Puckconfirmed by the company in press release. Zaslav also sent an email and made a morning newsroom phone call to employees explaining the decision and outlining an interim management team until the company finds a new CEO.
This memo was reported by of the semaphore Max Tani, Zaslav expresses his respect for Licht. But when Licht’s tenure didn’t go as planned, Zaslav said: “In the end, it’s my fault. I’m responsible.”
Licht’s tenure was marked by high-profile departures from CNN, including Don Lemon and Brian Stelter. One of the defining moments of his time leading CNN was the town hall with former President Donald Trump, which he championed as an effort to win back centrist and right-wing audiences. In fact, it was widely criticized.
Last week’s “Atlantic” published a long profile Some details, including Mr. Licht and his time leading CNN, and how Licht instructed officials to remove the word “sexual abuse” from the Chiron in front of Trump City Hall, have been shared with CNN officials. It is said to have shocked media industry officials.
At a newsroom meeting Monday morning, Licht apologized to CNN staff for some of his comments on the Atlantic article, including various criticisms of the network’s journalism under the administration of his predecessor, Jeff Zucker.
Licht reportedly believed he could fix the problems created by the profile and remain in the top position. According to Stelter. However, in the days since this profile, there have been several reports, including CNN. own media reporter Oliver Darcyseemed to indicate that Zaslav’s trust in Licht was wavering.
Tuesday’s report wall street journal Several high-profile newscasters at the station, including Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper, said they have expressed concerns to other executives about whether Licht can lead the newsroom.
It’s unclear what it means for Zaslav to take responsibility for Licht’s mistakes, as Licht no longer has a job and Zaslav still has a job, but his remarks were made by technology companies and media executives. are part of a broader trend of apologizing and swearing accountability when making tough decisions and announcements such as: Some experts say it could make it easier for employees to deal with layoff news.
You can read the full memo Zaslav sent to CNN staff as reported by Tani here.
— Max Valley (@maxwelltani) June 7, 2023
Spokespeople for CNN and Warner Bros. Discovery referred insiders to the information Wednesday morning when asked for comment. press release.