- Chris Licht is no longer with CNN after leading the news network for more than a year.
- The departure of the chief executive comes as CNN faces a revolt among its talent and staff.
- His tenure was plagued by programming missteps and rock-bottom ratings.
Chris Licht, CNN Worldwide President and CEO.
Credit: CNN
Chris Licht is out at CNN after leading the news network for more than a year, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The departure of the chief executive comes as CNN faces a revolt among its talent and staff. His tenure was plagued by programming missteps and rock-bottom ratings. After holding a town hall with Donald Trump in recent weeks that was packed with cheering fans of the former president, he delivered even harsher criticism.
But Leach’s 15,000-word op-ed in The Atlantic may have sealed his fate. He apologized to employees Monday morning, but including David Zaslau, CEO of CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, was unhappy with the article and its aftermath.
The move follows the appointment of Zasla’s key partner, David Levy, as the network’s new chief operating officer. Levy was tasked with handling marketing, public relations, advertising sales, facilities and other logistics.
The move was intended to allow Licht to focus more on programming. Licht helped launch MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” as its executive producer in 2007, and later became executive producer and host of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on CBS.
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.
Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of MSNBC and CNBC.
