Chris Licht Steps Down as CEO of CNN, Search for New Leader Begins

CNN has announced that Chris Licht has stepped down as CEO of the global news network. David Zaslav, Warners Bros. Discovery CEO, informed CNN staff of the news in a memo sent Wednesday.

Licht, 51, took the reins at CNN in February 2022 after the abrupt resignation of Jeff Zucker, who stepped down due to a consensual relationship with a colleague. He was tasked with reshaping the network’s news and raising questions about the future of the company.

In the email, Zaslav said, “This job was never going to be easy, especially at a time of great disruption and transformation, and Chris poured his heart and soul into it.” He added that the company has absolute confidence in the team they have in place and will continue to fight for CNN and its mission.

A wide search will be conducted to identify a new leader, both internally and externally. Zaslav said that while they know they have work to do, they have absolute confidence in the team they have in place and will continue to fight for CNN and its mission.

Licht’s departure comes at a time of great disruption and transformation in the media industry. CNN will now be looking for a new leader to take the reins and continue to shape the network’s news and mission.