Embattled CNN boss Chris Licht apologized Monday morning during a daily editorial call to network executives, days after an embarrassing profile was published.
It was the first time Licht, 51, spoke publicly to his employees since the self-aggrandizing profile in The Atlantic revealed his doubts about the news network’s direction during his first year at the helm.
He spoke on the record about CNN’s approach to covering former President Donald Trump before he took over last year, saying it alienated viewers with its coverage of COVID-19.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, was said to have been dissatisfied with the piece, titled “Inside the Meltdown at CNN,” and agreed that it had been mishandled, according to those familiar with his thinking and with CNBC on condition of anonymity.
Chris Licht, 51, deeply apologized to CNN staffers amid calls for his firing after a scathing profile piece exposed his doubts about the news network’s direction
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros Discovery (pictured last month), is said to have been dissatisfied with the profile piece
In the profile, Licht spoke about CNN’s approach to covering former President Donald Trump before he took over last year, saying it alienated viewers with its coverage of COVID-19 as he allowed a journalist unfettered access
In his brief remarks, the CNN boss said he didn’t recognize himself in the 15,000-word piece, but said he understands employees’ frustrations and is out to earn employees’ trust, sources said.
He also admitted, “I shouldn’t be in the news unless it takes arrows for you.”
However, Licht seemed to deny some of the way he was portrayed in the article, telling staffers, “There were parts of that article and characterizations made where I don’t recognize myself.” But there are those of you who do.
“This experience was extremely humiliating,” he added. “And for those whose trust I have lost, I will fight hard to win it back.”
But Licht didn’t say why he agreed to participate in The Atlantic’s profile and let reporter Tim Alberta follow him from personal training sessions at the gym to backstage CNN programming meetings.
And he gave no indication that he plans to leave the top position at the network, despite calls for his resignation.
Licht gave no indication that he plans to step down from the top role at the news network
Light began his remarks Monday by congratulating Jake Tapper on his town hall meeting with presidential candidate Nikki Haley before discussing the profile.
“I know the past few days have been very difficult for this group,” he said, according to former staffer Brian Stelter.
“I fully recognize that this news cycle and my role in it overshadowed the incredible week of coverage we just had and distracted from the work of every single journalist in this organization. And I’m sorry for that.’
“While reading that article, I found myself thinking CNN is not about me,” he continued. “I shouldn’t be in the news unless I take arrows for you. Your work should be written about.’
Licht then vowed to regain staffers’ trust “because you deserve a leader who will be in the trenches fighting to ensure that CNN remains the world’s most trusted news name.”
After he spoke, Virginia Moseley, a top CNN editor, took over and said, “We all agree with you, Chris, that what makes this place so special is those reporters and that coverage.”
Licht took over from CNN last year, but ratings have remained historically low
Deposed CNN host Brian Stelter, who is close to some of the network’s employees, said they tell him they think Licht should be fired for his comments
CNN employees have expressed shock at Alberta’s access to the CEO and some comments he made about the networks’ coverage of certain events.
An employee told The Hollywood Reporter the profile offered plenty of “tea leaves” for employees to analyze and discuss, while another said they felt they learned more about Licht’s direction for the network from the piece than from his own internal town halls.
A third told New York magazine the CEO just gives “haters on the right more ammunition to bash us, while skeptics on the left give more ammunition to justify taking us out.” How does this help anything?’
Licht took over from CNN last year, but ratings have remained historically low as he and other executives work to maintain a primetime audience while launching new morning shows.
The news division, which once generated more than $1 billion a year, only brought in $750 million — in part due to the $200 million loss the company suffered on the complete shutdown of CNN+ just a month after its much-publicized launch .
After years of sensational coverage of the Trump White House and the COVID-19 pandemic, the network began to weather the so-called Trump slump, and even as the presidential cycle kicks in, the network’s numbers are down 30 percent compared to this time during the 2016 cycle.
Some of the network’s employees now think he should be fired, according to Stelter, who spoke to New York Magazine about sentiment within CNN.
“That anti-Light sentiment is shared by many in CNN’s rank and file and has been around for months to some extent, but the Atlantic article confirmed it,” he tweeted Sunday.
In the words of three employees, “It’s over.” “He’s ready.” “There’s no turning back from that profile.”
Senior anchors, reporters and correspondents reportedly even called the new COO David Leavy to express their frustrations.
Leavy was originally set to begin his new position on June 20, but network executives said he would assume the role of COO on June 1, apparently hoping to contain the fallout from the story.
He is expected to spend more time programming, but has already reached out to top talent.
According to Stelter, Zaslav has told employees that Leavy will provide more adult supervision.