"Warner Bros. Discovery CEO Leaves Door Ajar for Chris Licht's Potential Return Amid Ousting from CNN"
In a surprising turn of events, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has hinted at the possibility of ousted ex-CNN head Chris Licht making a return to the parent company in some capacity. Speaking at The New York Times' DealBook summit, Zaslav praised Licht as a "great" and "talented" individual, leaving room for future collaborations.
During an on-stage interview with journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin, Zaslav expressed optimism about Licht's future chapters, stating, "Chris is going to have a lot of great chapters and hopefully some of those with us at Warner Bros." Describing Licht as a "very talented" professional and "good friend," Zaslav acknowledged their shared history, including a Central Park walk in June where Licht learned about the end of his tumultuous tenure at CNN.
Licht's exit from CNN followed a critical expose by The Atlantic, portraying him as a thin-skinned executive grappling with insecurities and staff dissatisfaction. Despite the challenges, Zaslav reminisced about the ups and downs, citing "a lot of great days" and "a lot of tough days" during their shared experiences.
In August, Zaslav appointed former BBC chief Mark Thompson as Licht's successor at CNN. Thompson faces challenges with CNN's ratings trailing behind industry leaders Fox News and MSNBC. Fox News maintains a substantial lead in both the coveted 25-54 age demographic and total viewership, while MSNBC secures its position with a robust prime-time lineup.
As the industry watches for developments, Zaslav's comments add a layer of intrigue to Licht's professional journey, suggesting that the door may not be completely closed on his association with Warner Bros. Discovery. Licht, currently not available for comment, could potentially find a new role within the company, marking an unexpected twist in his career trajectory. The Post has reached out to Warner Bros. Discovery for additional insights into this evolving narrative.
In conclusion, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav's unexpected openness to the potential return of ousted ex-CNN head Chris Licht has added a fascinating twist to the narrative surrounding Licht's career. Zaslav's positive remarks about Licht's talent and their shared history suggest that the door for collaboration may not be entirely closed. The acknowledgement of "great days" and "tough days" reflects the complexities of their past experiences.
With Licht's tumultuous departure from CNN and Mark Thompson stepping in as his successor, the dynamics within the media landscape continue to evolve. The industry will be keenly observing whether Licht, a "good friend" and a professional acknowledged for his talent, finds a new role within Warner Bros. Discovery.
As Licht's future remains uncertain and the media landscape adapts to leadership changes, Zaslav's comments have injected an element of speculation and anticipation into the unfolding narrative. The Post's outreach to Warner Bros. Discovery may provide further insights into the potential trajectory of Licht's career and the dynamics at play within the media conglomerate.