CNN's Chris Licht could be in trouble with David Leavy as COO
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 — 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.
CNN staffers have reportedly chafed at what they view as Zaslav’s meddling in editorial decisions.
CNN Worldwide CEO Chris Licht could find himself in a power struggle with the network’s new chief operating officer, according to a report. Getty Images for Semafor
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.
David Leavy, a longtime loyalist of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, was named COO of CNN Worldwide. Getty Images for Discovery, Inc.
One of those reporters who has raised the ire of Licht is Dylan Byers, a former CNN staffer who currently writes for the online media startup Puck.
Licht told The Atlantic that in March he angrily confronted Byers at a party and expressed his displeasure about the reporter’s coverage.
The Post has sought comment from CNN, Byers, Zucker, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Even those loyal to Licht have called his leadership into question over last month’s disastrous town hall with former President Donald Trump.
After the May 10 event ended, CNN’s post-town hall wrap-up featured two concurrent segments — a Jake Tapper-led panel of journalists who eviscerated Trump and an Anderson Cooper-led roundtable of politicos and partisan pundits.
According to The Atlantic, Licht planned for Tapper’s panel to take up the bulk of the post-event coverage.
Licht is reportedly working for a “meddlesome” boss, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who curiously declined to give the CNN chief a vote of confidence in a recent magazine story. Getty Images
But, as the news site Puck first reported, Licht scrapped those plans and made Cooper’s panel the centerpiece of the coverage.
According to The Atlantic, Zaslav had communicated to associates in the days after the event that he was unhappy with Tapper’s roundtable — saying it had reminded him of CNN under Zucker.
Zaslav’s comments stoked speculation that he or an executive close to him had ordered Licht to downplay Tapper’s panel while giving more prominent space to Cooper’s roundtable.
Despite the May 10 Trump town hall, which generated an audience of 3.3 million viewers, CNN’s prime time ratings fell by a whopping 25% during the month.
According to a report, CNN remains staffed with those who are loyal to former network president Jeff Zucker. Getty Images for WarnerMedia
CNN netted an average of 494,000 total viewers in May prime time — and just 113,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 age demographic, according to figures released by Nielsen.
“Anderson Cooper 360” was the network’s most-watched show in May with 646,000 total viewers, the ratings agency reported.
Leavy takes up his post June 20.
Licht said in a statement that Leavy “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,” Licht said.
Source: New York Post
