Chris Licht hasn’t made many friends in his new job. After layoffs, reassignments and a shift in strategic focus that angered some, CNN’s chairman and CEO recalled a certain end in a profile published today in the New York Times.
During a lunch with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, the chairman/CEO of CNN’s parent company, indicated that their long-term relationship had fundamentally changed. “We have been friends for 15 years,” Zaslav told Licht. “We are no longer friends. You work for me.”
It was the start of Licht’s effort to remake CNN, which in previous years had drifted far to the left. Licht envisioned a less political and less partisan news outlet, one that would live up to its previous slogan of “the most trusted news.” His Times profile revealed that he wanted to provide a “rational conversation about divisive issues” so that viewers “would understand what they heard[op CNN]have dinner and have a conversation,” he said. “It’s a dream of mine.”
So far, there have been mixed results. CNN’s Jake Tapper shared the story of Kyrsten Sinema’s transition from Democrat to Independent. But its prime-time period fell through and ended after a month. CNN’s This Morning program also did not fare well against its competitors.
He also noted that he has been criticized by liberals for trying to make CNN less partisan.
“The uninformed irritation, especially from the left, was amazing,” Licht said at one point. “This proves what I mean: so much of what passes as news is curses, half-truths and desperation.”
Author: Bruce Herring
Source: Deadline
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
