According to sources, CNN boss Chris Licht is reportedly reaching out to network anchors he has never spoken to before in an effort to salvage his position after a critical magazine profile raised concerns about his leadership. Aware that his tenure may be cut short after just one year, Licht is engaged in major damage control by contacting the network’s top talent. However, the Atlantic piece has shortened his window of time to win over the room.
Inside CNN, there is speculation about when CEO David Zaslav of Warner Bros Discovery, CNN’s parent company, will make the decision to fire Licht, who was appointed as a puppet leader. David Leavy has recently been appointed as CNN’s Chief Operating Officer, suggesting a potential change in leadership. Some believe that the decision to remove Licht could come around the Fourth of July to minimize attention, while others think he may have a few months to turn things around.
Names have already been mentioned internally as potential replacements for Licht, including Amy Entelis, CNN’s Executive Vice President for talent and content development, and Virginia Moseley, CNN’s Executive Vice President of editorial for the network’s US operation. Moseley, known as a hard-nosed executive, is highly regarded for her skills, while Entelis is seen as a softer personality and well-liked by employees. However, internal promotions may not be sufficient to address CNN’s declining ratings, which dropped 25% in primetime in May compared to the previous year.
There is also speculation that Zaslav may choose to keep Licht but reassign him to focus on editorial operations while Leavy takes on a more prominent role in running the business. Such a demotion may not sit well with Licht or CNN staff, according to sources.
CNN declined to comment on the matter. The recent Atlantic exposé, which painted Licht as a thin-skinned and aloof executive who has lost the trust of employees, has led to criticism from both supporters and critics. Licht’s decision to host a town hall with former President Trump and his strained relationships with CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour and ousted predecessor Jeff Zucker have further complicated his position. Prominent anchors like Jake Tapper, Erin Burnett, and Anderson Cooper have expressed concerns about Licht’s leadership, with some reportedly lodging complaints with Leavy.
CNN media reporter Oliver Darcy criticized Licht in his newsletter, “Reliable Sources,” stating that the Atlantic exposé called into question Licht’s judgment and ability to lead the network’s staff. Darcy noted that Licht’s attempts to reset relations after more than a year in his position may be too little, too late. Many CNN employees are reportedly frustrated and angry, feeling that Licht has tarnished the organization they love, and they believe there is little he can do to regain their support at this point.
