CNN chief Chris Licht ousted after growing discord at network (updated)
Arnold Jerocki
CNN CEO Chris Licht is out after a chaotic year in charge following the takeover of the news network by Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD).
CNN staff is confirming reports that WBD chief David Zaslav was announcing the change on a 9 a.m. editorial call.
"I met with Chris and he will be leaving CNN," Zaslav said, according to media reporter and former CNN host Brian Stelter. "We're in the process of conducting a wide search, internally and externally, for a new leader."
"For a number of reasons, it didn't work out," Zaslav reportedly continued. "I take full responsibility."
Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed the change, saying Licht was out effective immediately. The network has a "strong interim leadership team comprising seasoned programming leaders Amy Entelis, EVP of talent and content development, Virginia Moseley, EVP of editorial, and Eric Sherling, EVP of US programming, as well as David Leavy, chief operating officer, on the commercial side."
âI have great respect for Chris, personally and professionally,â Zaslav said in a statement. âThe job of leading CNN was never going to be easy, especially at a time of huge disruption and transformation, and he has poured his heart and soul into it."
Puck News earlier reported that Licht would exit.
Zaslav recently installed Leavy as CNN's chief operating officer, and he now looks set to assist in a shakeup.
Licht's tenure took an unrecoverable turn in recent weeks after a notable townhall broadcast with former President Donald Trump wrecked staff morale, and (this week) a devastating profile of Licht in The Atlantic depicted a leader not firmly in charge of a "meltdown."
Updated: As of 10:20 a.m. Warner Bros. Discovery stock (WBD) had moved higher, +3.4% on the day.
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