Is New CNN Boss About to be Out? *
/According to the gossip site Page Six, Chris Licht, the current chairman of CNN, is rumored to be leaving the network before Labor Day. Despite his impressive track record as the head of shows such as "The Late Show," "Morning Joe," and "CBS This Morning," some insiders speculate that his lack of experience in running an entire network is catching up to him.
Since taking over from Jeff Zucker, who was embroiled in a sex scandal, Licht has made some significant changes to CNN. He has overseen major layoffs, shut down the streamer CNN+, and cast off some big names, including Brian Stelter and Jeffrey Toobin. However, his tenure has been marred by declining ratings and some embarrassing on-air moments, such as when Don Lemon suggested that presidential hopeful Nikki Haley was "past her prime."
Despite these missteps, some sources say that Licht may stick around, as his departure would be an embarrassment to David Zaslav, the corporate boss who took a chance on him. Others argue that Licht is in over his head and that his departure is inevitable. According to one insider, Licht "doesn't have his ear to the ground," and his inspiration seems to come from similarly struggling CBS, where he previously worked.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns CNN, refutes the rumors, saying that Zaslav has full support for Licht and that they are committed to making CNN a success. Zaslav himself recently spoke at a CNN town hall, saying that he and Licht "love CNN" and that they are "up for the fight."
Only time will tell whether Licht will be able to turn CNN's fortunes around. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for networks to adapt and innovate to stay relevant. Whether Licht is the right person for the job remains to be seen, but it is clear that the pressure is on for him to deliver results.