CNN CEO Chris Licht Resigns Amidst Leadership Questions and Corporate Challenges

Chris Licht, the CEO of CNN, has resigned from his position following mounting pressure and concerns about his leadership. The decision came after an Atlantic magazine article leaked information that raised questions about Licht's effectiveness as a leader. The parent company expressed disappointment,stating that things did not unfold as they had hoped.

Licht took over as CNN's CEO just 13 months ago when Discovery merged with WarnerMedia, which also owns CNN, HBO, and other channels. However, shortly after assuming the role, it was announced that the CNN+ streaming service would be shut down after only a month. Warner Bros Discovery chief, David Zaslav, acknowledged Licht's efforts and commitment but admitted that the job had been challenging, especially during a period of significant upheaval and transformation. Zaslav took responsibility for the outcome and expressed his well wishes for Licht's future endeavors.

One of the criticisms directed at Licht was his decision to downsize the workforce, resulting in several hundred employee layoffs. Additionally, Zaslav expressed dissatisfaction with the tone of CNN under Licht's leadership. He urged the network to redefine its position and differentiate itself from rival news brands like Fox News and MSNBC. Zaslav emphasized the need for balanced reporting, stating that CNN should showcase both sides of every issue.

Licht's efforts to reorganize programming and launch a new morning show were reportedly unsuccessful, further weakening his position. The appointment of a new deputy general manager, who was seen as being close to the parent company, also signaled a shift in the power dynamics within CNN.

Prior to his tenure at CNN, Licht held the position of vice president of programming at CBS and served as the showrunner for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." He also had previous experience working for CBS News and MSNBC's popular morning news program.

Following Licht's departure, CNN is being managed by an interim management committee, according to Zaslav.

CNN has faced criticism not only regarding Licht's leadership but also for its declining ratings. Additionally, the network received backlash for an interview conducted with former US President Donald Trump.