CNN Worldwide chairman and CEO Chris Licht addressed the bombshell profile in The Atlantic in comments to network staffers on Monday, telling them, “I should not be in the news unless it̵…
, a top adviser to Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav, as its COO. That has led to speculation that Leavy was brought in to try to right the ship amid staff discord and declining ratings.
Among other things, in comments in the profile, Licht criticized CNN’s breakneck coverage of Covid, and it showed that he was fixated on his predecessor, Jeff Zucker. In one passage, in which Alberta observed Licht at his morning workout, “squatted down to grab a long metal pole lying flat on the ground. ‘Zucker couldn’t do this shit,'” Licht said, per Alberta’s piece. The profile also portrayed Licht as a bit obsessed with his own media coverage.
“The suggestion that somehow CNN was like Shangri La and this powerhouse until Chris Licht walked through the doors kind of denies everything that happened over the past decade …as far as money goes,” Scarborough said. “…I’m not knocking Jeff, but this idea that it was a ratings juggernaut when it just wasn’t before Chris walked through the door. That’s not Jeff’s fault. That’s just bad reporting.” CNN’s ratings had dropped off in Zucker’s final years, he noted.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Media elite shocked by CNN boss Chris Licht profile'It's like watching a snuff film': Media elites shocked by The Atlantic's surgical dismantling of CNN boss Chris Licht
Read more »
That Atlantic story about CNN's Chris Licht should be scaring Elon MuskInsider tells the global tech, finance, markets, media, healthcare, and strategy stories you want to know.
Read more »
Can Chris Licht Survive at CNN?Staffers’ confidence is shaken. The CEO is vowing to “fight like hell to win back their trust.”
Read more »
Inside CNN epic PR fail around Chris Licht profileInsider tells the global tech, finance, markets, media, healthcare, and strategy stories you want to know.
Read more »
CNN CEO Chris Licht Tries To Soothe Restless Staff: ‘I Should Not Be In The News’CNN chief told staffers Monday he wants to help them make the news rather than being a central figure in it. In the wake of a devastating profile of the CNN CEO in The Atlantic, Licht set about soo…
Read more »
Michael Kors on the 5 Beauty Rules Every Bombshell Knows By HeartMichael Kors weighs in on his diehard beauty rules, from the importance of bronzer to how and why to wear gold.
Read more »