Chris Licht is out of CNN

Chris Licht, who promised to fix CNN’s falling ratings, left the network just after 13 months as the company’s CEO.

A damning profile in The Atlantic, former President Donald Trump's town hall and the pushback, declining profits, record-low ratings and mass layoffs are some controversies during his tenure.

Rocky tenure
Licht’s controversial remarks on the COVID-19 coverage, move towards making news less opinion and more reporting and overseeing the CNN+ shutdown all faced criticism, leading to a disconnect within the newsroom.

The network’s profit also dropped from $1 billion during the Trump era to $750 million last year.

What’s next?
CNN parent Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav announced Licht’s departure on Wednesday’s editorial call, which reportedly had 800 people.

Veteran CNN leaders Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley, Eric Sherling, and new CEO David Leavy are set to take over Licht’s role at the network.

The news network is undergoing a shakedown with 2024 election coverage just around the corner.

Chris Licht joined CNN in May 2022 after former CEO Jeff Zucker resigned over a sexual relationship with a top executive. Licht is known for producing shows like Morning Joe at MSNBC, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.