CNN Appoints COO

Chris Licht, Chairman & CEO of CNN Worldwide, has announced the appointment of David C. Leavy as Chief Operating Officer of CNN Worldwide, effective June 20, 2023.

A 23-year veteran of Discovery Inc. and Warner Bros. Discovery, Leavy will assume responsibility over commercial, operational and promotional activities across CNN Worldwide, reporting into Licht.

“David’s deep operational experience, institutional knowledge and key industry relationships perfectly complements the strengths of our leadership team,” said Licht. 

David Leavy

“He is a strategic, versatile and dynamic executive who will work with myself and the senior leadership team to help transform our business as we get the full programming slate on the air, build out our digital future and grow the CNN brand around the world. Everyone who works with David has seen how his energy, work ethic and collaborative style positively impacts an organization, and I can’t wait for him to join me and the CNN team.”

Leavy currently serves as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Warner Bros. Discovery and will maintain public policy and social responsibility oversight on behalf of Warner Bros Discovery going forward.

The NY Post reports 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 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.