


Chris Licht is out as CNN CEO after growing criticism over the network’s Donald Trump town hall as well as the release of an Atlantic profile that did not go over well with staffers.
While the head of CNN’s parent company, David Zaslav, has defended Licht’s gestures toward bipartisanship, the CNN CEO had fewer allies by the day. Tim Alberta, the author of the Atlantic article explained that “Licht’s circle was small and getting smaller. He obviously felt that he couldn’t trust some of the people around him.”
In his attempt to reshape the network, Licht promised a reset with Republican voters. Part of that was to hear from the Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in an event moderated by host Kaitlan Collins. He also announced that Collins, a former writer for the conservative publication, the Daily Caller, as a primetime host, moving her from CNN’s morning show.
However, what was an attempt to cultivate greater ratings backfired, with the network enduring a drop in viewers. CNN’s financial performance in general was in freefall, with only $750 million in profit generated last year last year, down from $1.25 billion the year before.
Staffers also openly criticized Licht for the town hall. Media reporter Oliver Darcy openly criticized the network’s decision and was scolded by Licht for his “emotional” reporting.
Chief CNN International anchor Christiane Amanpour said she had a robust exchange with Licht over the town hall. Speaking to Columbia Journalism School graduates, the journalist said “bothsidesism’ is not always objectivity. It does not get you to the truth. Drawing false moral or factual equivalence is neither objective or truthful.”
The Atlantic piece was also criticized by staffers. “Whereas [Licht] was guarded with CNN employees, our many hours of conversations began to feel like therapy sessions for Licht, safe spaces in which he vented grievances and admitted fears and chased an elusive breakthrough,” wrote Alberta.
Licht apologized to staffers about the Atlantic piece on Monday.