Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, announced the troubled news network’s CEO Chris Licht has resigned..It comes just a little more than one year at the helm, a year that was a tumultuous one for Licht, who was brought in to replace Jeff Zucker, amid plummeting ratings..Licht’s first major move was firing commentator, Brian Stelter, then moving evening anchor Don Lemon to CNN’s morning show, which proved a disaster, with Lemon eventually leaving the network..Licht’s resignation comes after a scathing magazine profile alienated staffers and key senior figures at the network who called for his head, reports The New York Post, adding Licht accused Zucker of undermining his leadership by planting negative stories about the news operation..The company’s announcement said Licht will be replaced by a group “comprising seasoned programming leaders” such as Amy Entelis, the executive vice-president of talent and content development; Virginia Moseley, executive vice-president of editorial; and Eric Sherling, who heads US-based programming..“I have great respect for Chris, personally and professionally,” Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said in a statement. “The 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.”.David Leavy, the longtime trusted aide to Zaslav who was recently installed as chief operating officer, will head the commercial side, according to Warner Bros. Discovery..In an early Wednesday morning editorial meeting, Zaslav spoke with CNN staff, according to former CNN media reporter Stelter, reports The Post..“I met with Chris and he will be leaving CNN,” Zaslav is quoted as saying. “We’re in the process of conducting a wide search, internally and externally, for a new leader.”.The Post says Zaslav praised Licht for an “amazing career,” according to Stelter, saying Licht, “poured his heart and soul into this job” but “for a number of reasons, it didn’t work out.”.“I take full responsibility,” Zaslav is quoted as telling staffers. “We wish him every success and all the best.”.Licht meanwhile told outraged supporters, “I hope they get the leader they deserve,” according to a source, reports The Post.
