CNN program director Michael Bass and former lieutenant Jeff Zucker will leave the network at the end of the year

Michael Bass, CNN’s EVP of Programming, will leave the network at the end of the year.

News of his departure was shared with staff this morning by CNN CEO Chris Licht, who is embarking on an extensive effort to reorganize and refocus the news network. A representative for the network confirmed the move to Deadline. (Read Licht’s memo to staff below.)

Light moved into the top spot shortly after the completion of WarnerMedia’s $43 billion merger with Discovery, which forced the merged company to cut costs and streamline to pay down its significant debt. In addition to identifying the workforce and budget of the redesigned network, Licht is charting a different course than his predecessor Jeff Zucker, who steered CNN to the left and frequently clashed with former President Donald Trump. Ratings have fallen since President Joe Biden’s inauguration, and CNN has also faced a challenge in prime time since former host Chris Cuomo left under an ethics cloud.

Last February, Bass was named interim co-head of CNN along with CNN colleagues Amy Entelis and Ken Jautz following Zucker’s impeachment. WarnerMedia’s longtime head of news and sports admitted he did not disclose a friendly relationship with CNN’s director of marketing and communications, Allison Gollust.

It goes back to Zucker’s tenure at NBC today, Bass was one of his first lieutenants. He joined CNN in 2013 after working in business development at NBC when Zucker was head of entertainment, and then a staff member on Katie Couric’s syndicated talk show, which Zucker produced.

Here is Licht’s full staff memo:

To my CNN colleagues,

I am writing to let you know that Michael Bass has made the decision to leave CNN at the end of this year. During his nearly 10-year tenure with this organization, Michael has demonstrated incredible leadership and perseverance. He has been a steady hand through some of the most turbulent times this network has encountered.

Along with a brilliant and courageous team, Michael kept CNN alive and on the air as COVID-19 brought the world to a standstill. CNN has never been more important than in those bleak days when people were struggling to understand the pandemic. And as part of the “trio,” Michael, Amy and Ken led CNN through a difficult transition while overseeing our extraordinary coverage of the war in Ukraine.

As head of domestic programming, Michael helped create some new programs and revamp old ones. His full list of accomplishments is too long to list in a single memo. But after the midterms, it’s worth noting that he oversaw election coverage, town halls and debates, and is the creator of CNN’s Key Race Alerts, which has distinguished our election coverage to this day. He also has a number of special series like root, The person who changed my life, advocate for changeand the “More than the Call of Duty” Franchise.

I wish Michael well in his future endeavors and thank him for his contributions, guidance and friendship. We are beginning the search for Michael’s replacement and will share an interim plan in the coming days.

Chris