CHRIS ENLOE
August 22, 2022
The cuts to CNN may not stop anytime soon.
The network sent shockwaves into the media last week after announcing the abrupt departure of controversial media reporter Brian Stelter, who hosted media-focused show "Reliable Sources." That show had been on air for nearly 30 years.
What his happening now?
New CEO Chris Licht told CNN staffers in an editorial meeting last Friday that more changes are coming — and existing employees may not like them.
"I want to acknowledge that this is a time of significant change, and I know that many of you are unsettled," Licht told his employees, according to sources who spoke with the Hollywood Reporter.
"There will be more changes," Licht promised, "and you might not understand it or like it."
It is not clear what other changes are coming, though CNN employees are reportedly anxious about what could come next. However, multiple sources are saying that more staffer shake-ups are likely.
For example, the Hollywood Reporter reported that few CNN employees expect that John Berman and Brianna Keilar, anchors of the CNN show "New Day," will remain in that position when all is said and done. Other sources have said that most well-known CNN personalities could be moved to different roles or axed altogether.
What is the background?
After Warner Bros. Discovery acquired CNN earlier this year, CNN's new management made it clear changes were coming.
The first major change came when executives axed CNN+, the subscription streaming platform that was only weeks old. Still, other changes were promised, and for good reason. New management wants to reverse the network's perception as an overly partisan outlet, and they want CNN to cement its legacy in the media ecosystem as an outlet Americans can trust with the truth.
While more changes are certain, Licht has promised they won't be swift.
"You heard me say in my first town hall that I am going to make decisions slower than some would like," Licht told CNN staffers in June. "I know this organization has been through tremendous change over the last four months, which is why I am approaching this process slowly and thoughtfully as we look at all parts of the operation."
The cuts to CNN may not stop anytime soon.
The network sent shockwaves into the media last week after announcing the abrupt departure of controversial media reporter Brian Stelter, who hosted media-focused show "Reliable Sources." That show had been on air for nearly 30 years.
What his happening now?
New CEO Chris Licht told CNN staffers in an editorial meeting last Friday that more changes are coming — and existing employees may not like them.
"I want to acknowledge that this is a time of significant change, and I know that many of you are unsettled," Licht told his employees, according to sources who spoke with the Hollywood Reporter.
"There will be more changes," Licht promised, "and you might not understand it or like it."
It is not clear what other changes are coming, though CNN employees are reportedly anxious about what could come next. However, multiple sources are saying that more staffer shake-ups are likely.
For example, the Hollywood Reporter reported that few CNN employees expect that John Berman and Brianna Keilar, anchors of the CNN show "New Day," will remain in that position when all is said and done. Other sources have said that most well-known CNN personalities could be moved to different roles or axed altogether.
What is the background?
After Warner Bros. Discovery acquired CNN earlier this year, CNN's new management made it clear changes were coming.
The first major change came when executives axed CNN+, the subscription streaming platform that was only weeks old. Still, other changes were promised, and for good reason. New management wants to reverse the network's perception as an overly partisan outlet, and they want CNN to cement its legacy in the media ecosystem as an outlet Americans can trust with the truth.
While more changes are certain, Licht has promised they won't be swift.
"You heard me say in my first town hall that I am going to make decisions slower than some would like," Licht told CNN staffers in June. "I know this organization has been through tremendous change over the last four months, which is why I am approaching this process slowly and thoughtfully as we look at all parts of the operation."
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