The decision by CNN’s corporate overlord to install a chief operating officer could be “the beginning of the end” for network chief Chris Licht, who must answer to a meddlesome boss while being undermined by a newsroom loyal to his predecessor, according to The NY Post citing a report on the news channel’s meltdown.
Licht’s year-long reign since taking over for the ousted Jeff Zucker has been plagued by internal turmoil — namely over fired anchor Don Lemon — and behind-the-scenes skullduggery, according to the 9,000-word expose by The Atlantic.
All the while, the ratings continue to hit new lows — even losing some primetime battles to Newsmax — as Licht attempts to pivot CNN toward the middle after years of pandering to the left.
Now, Thursday’s announcement that David Leavy, a longtime loyalist of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, will become CNN’s COO has “fueled talk of an imminent power struggle — and potentially, the beginning of the end for Licht,” sources told The Atlantic.
The magazine cited sources who blamed Zaslav for putting Licht in an unenviable position of having to work for a boss described as a micromanager.
Zaslav liked to call Licht at 6:30 a.m, sometimes when the WBD exec was on the West Coast, or 3:30 a.m., the magazine reported, adding that Licht twisted his face into a pained expression when revealing the constant nagging.
Licht has also had to contend with staffers who remain loyal to former boss Zucker want Licht to fail, The Atlantic reported..
Zucker resigned last year after it was learned he was having a relationship with his top marketing officer, Allison Gollust.
He blames Zucker, for planting “hit pieces” with reporters who are considered sympathetic to the old regime, The Atlantic reported.
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