Celebrity

A Timeline of 18 Tumultuous Months at CNN That Led to Licht’s Firing

CNN has endured nearly two years of turmoil as the cable news network struggles to overcome national scandals, sudden resignations, plummeting ratings and declining profits.

The furor culminated in the sudden resignation of CNN chief executive Chris Licht this week, ending a difficult 13-month tenure as CNN’s leader after a series of controversies. He was named CNN’s chief executive officer and chairman in February 2022, succeeding Jeff Zucker, who resigned a few weeks ago.

Licht took the top job at a pivotal time for the network. With ratings dropping in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, CNN’s parent company WarnerMedia was preparing to merge with Discovery to create a media giant. Amid the chaos, Licht was unable to find a foothold in the network.

Below is a timeline of the 18 months of chaos at CNN leading up to his dismissal.

December 2021

On December 4, 2021, CNN fired star anchor Chris Cuomo for his involvement in the affairs of his brother, former New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. The dismissal was a stunning downfall for the network’s highest-rated host, who was at the height of a broadcast journalism career built outside the family of a high-profile politician.

Anchor was initially suspended after evidence revealed that Cuomo played a closer role in his brother’s affairs than the agency had previously known.

But days before Cuomo was fired, a prominent employment attorney told CNN that he had a client who had alleged sexual misconduct against Chris Cuomo. It’s not entirely clear what role the allegations played in CNN’s decision to fire him.

“I don’t want this to be the end of my time at CNN, but I’ve already told you why and how I helped my brother,” Cuomo said in a statement at the time.

February 2022

On February 2, 2022, Zucker resigned as president of CNN for failing to disclose a consensual relationship with a colleague. In the memo, he said his own relationship was revealed during an internal investigation into Cuomo’s conduct.

Zucker’s abrupt departure raised tensions in the newsroom as top talent questioned it. WarnerMedia’s then-CEO Jason Killer, who flew in for an emergency meeting at the network’s Washington bureau, did not elaborate on what led to Zucker’s resignation. An unresolved question remained before the merger.

May 2022

CNN hired Licht in May after Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia was completed. He reported directly to David He Zaslav, CEO of the newly formed Warner His Brothers His Discovery.

Licht joined CNN after serving as an executive producer on Stephen Colbert’s late-night show, where he boosted ratings by changing the show’s tone to a more political one.

CNN encouraged a more nuanced approach to news reporting as part of its efforts to reach both right-wing and left-wing audiences. However, some in the network were skeptical about the change. In April, Warner Bros. Discovery shut down its streaming platform CNN+, just weeks after its $300 million debut. The same day, Licht announced the prospect of hundreds of job cuts in his first formal address to staff as his next leader.

Licht later said he wanted to rebuild the show, but CNN’s ratings and profits continued to languish, forcing executives to find ways to cut costs. The canceled shows included Sunday’s “Reliable Sources,” hosted by CNN’s top media reporter Brian Stelter, who stepped down after the show was canceled.

On April 24, CNN announced its long-running partnership with Don Lemon, a staple of the network’s prime-time lineup until he co-hosted the brief but controversial “CNN This Morning.” put an end to the relationship. It underwent a major overhaul just a few months ago.

Lemon’s resignation came after she made sexist remarks in February in a conversation about politician Nikki Haley, 51. “Women are considered to be at their peak in their 20s, 30s and maybe 40s,” Lemon told the newspaper. Visible dismay of his co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins.

The incident caused an uproar within cable news channels, and was met with a rare rebuke from Licht. Licht told staff at the time, “His remarks were maddening, unacceptable and unfair to the co-organizers, and ultimately greatly hindered the wonderful work of this organization.”

Mr Lemmon didn’t take his firing lightly and took to Twitter to vent his anger. “I am amazed,” he wrote.

On May 10, CNN hosted a city hall in New Hampshire for former President Donald J. Trump, who used the tumultuous meeting to spread the lies and swearing that characterize the presidency. repeated. City Hall was in a state of schism even before it aired, and was criticized both inside and outside the network for spreading false information.

After City Hall ended, some of the on-air talent looked dazed, with one of the station’s top hosts, Christiane Amanpour, questioning Trump’s approval to appear on the show. ‘respectfully disagrees’ on the forum. City Hall in its form.

In a call to the network editor, Mr. Licht defended his decision to broadcast the city hall live. “I absolutely and unequivocally believe that our actions last night resulted in a very good response from the United States,” he said, according to a recording of the call obtained by The New York Times.

June 2023

15,000 words Article published in The Atlantic on June 2 We analyzed the leadership of Mr. Licht, who is in charge of the network.

Licht’s remarks to The Atlantic, which criticized the agency’s coverage of the pandemic, stung some employees, many of whom were hearing it for the first time.

Mr. Zaslav informed staff on Wednesday morning that Mr. Licht was leaving the company with immediate effect.

Before taking over as permanent leader, Zasraf will lead interim leadership of CNN veterans Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley and Eric Schering, as well as newly appointed chief operating officer David Levy. said a group of people would take over.

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