News of CNN CEO Chris Licht’s departure from the cable news network came suddenly Wednesday morning, but it wasn’t necessarily a shock to many employees and viewers, who have seen Licht’s turbulent tenure filled with layoffs, shakeups and a high dose of criticism. Is.
Here, we take a closer look at Licht’s reign at the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network and if the writing was on the wall for the CEO’s exit the whole time.
April 2022
Licht officially took over from Jeff Zucker as chairman and CEO of CNN Global amid the ongoing Warner Bros. Discovery merger after the change was announced in February 2022. plate.
Prior to the change, Licht vowed to his employees to “double-down on what’s working well” at CNN, and would “quickly eliminate what isn’t,” describing himself as a “journalist at heart”. “
early June 2022
One of the first decisions Licht made during his tenure was urging staffers to dial back the frequency of breaking news banners, saying in a memo, “We’re truth-tellers, focused on not alerting our audience “
early June 2022
Another early Licht policy focused on reducing the network’s partisanship by encouraging the network’s existing on-air talent roster to tone down partisan rhetoric, according to a report. axios,
June 2022
The new CNN boss told staffers on a call that he preferred they stop using the term “The Big Lie” when referring to Donald Trump’s false claims of election fraud, branding the Democratic Party takes the side of
July 2022
Licht solidifies a new leadership team at the network, elevating Virginia Moseley to EVP of editorial and Christine Corati Kelly to lead global communications, while Chris Marlin serves as group EVP of strategy and business operations and Jonita Dew Serves as EVP of Integrity and Inclusion. Calvin Sims was announced to be leaving the company amid the restructuring, while Michael Bass will continue to serve as executive VP of programming for CNN US, while Amy Entelis will remain as EVP of talent and content development.
August 2022
The first major blow of Licht’s tenure was felt in the ouster of CNN media reporter and “Reliable Sources” host Brian Stelter, whose Sunday show was canceled upon his departure, following reports that boss Stelter’s opinion-on- The camera style was not favored. With no plans to replace “Reliable Sources” with another media show, media experts expressed concern about the voiding of media criticism from Stelter’s exit. The network’s trusted source newsletter was announced to remain, although senior media reporter Oliver Darcy took over.
September 2022
John Harwood, CNN’s veteran Washington correspondent, announced that he would be leaving the network shortly after Harwood called Trump a “dishonorable democrat” in his last on-air appearance.
September 2022
And the Don Lemon Shuffle begins. The network announced that Lemon would lose his primetime weeknight show to co-anchor the network’s reimagined morning show with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, soon to be titled “CNN This Morning”.
The decision was quickly interpreted as Licht’s first move to make CNN “disrupt the broadcast morning show in this space”, “Morning Joe,” a show Licht aimed to compete with. co made In 2007 when he was on MSNBC.
October 2022
Licht informed employees that the network would be cutting costs through the end of the year, with layoffs across the company, noting the changes would “affect people, budgets and projects.”
November 2022
Several months into Licht’s tenure, the CEO’s moves to make the network more centrist had already begun to ruffle some feathers — including citing a call to #BoycottCNN — referring to “centrism” in an interview. Leading Licht to call the criticisms “bull-t” at the Financial Times, instead saying “you have to take the edge off.”
January 2023
After CNN announced it would air Bill Maher’s “Overtime” on Friday nights, Licht defended his choice to air it and denied that the network wanted a topical comedy show in its primetime slot. The show will “help” the Los Angeles Times. expand the appeal of [CNN] primetime.”
February 2023
After Don Lemon’s sexist remarks against Republican candidate Nikki Haley sparked anger against the “CNN This Morning” co-host, Licht denounced Lemon’s comments and fired her before ending the anchor’s time at the network in April. Said “disturbing, unacceptable and unfair”.
May 2023
Then came the CNN town hall with Trump, which was surely the beginning of the end. Just as media critics warned about the dangers of a live event moderated by “CNN This Morning” co-host Kaitlyn Collins, the town hall was heavily criticized as a ratings play—which worked because it drew 3.3 million viewers. Brought viewers to CNN — and a platform for the disgraced former president to continue lying regarding the 2020 election and to discredit author E. Jean Carroll.
June 2023
While the town hall generated criticism through the month, the real nail in the coffin came when The Atlantic published a devastating Licht’s 16,000-word profile, which reported that Licht told Trump to “have fun” during his May town hall on the network. It also alleged that although the network claimed “GOP-leaning independents” would fill the audience for the town hall, Licht instead knew the crowd would be skewed more toward Trump supporters.
After the profile’s publication, Licht apologized in an editorial meeting for detracting from the CNN journalist’s hard work, saying, “CNN isn’t about me. I shouldn’t be in the news unless it’s for you.” Do not take
Despite Licht’s efforts, CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy stated in his daily Reliable Sources newsletter that “Licht has lost room,” after his comments “did little to move the needle.”
June 7, 2023
Licht’s departure was officially announced.
