David Zaslav Hints At Potential Reunion With Ex-CNN Boss Chris Licht, Reflects On Jeff Zucker Exit And Reaffirms Plan To Avoid Making It An “Advocacy Network”
29.11.2023 - 18:37
/ deadline.com
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav gave former CNN chief Chris Licht a warm endorsement, even hinting at the possibility that the TV news vet could work again with the company.
Licht is a “great guy, talented guy,” Zaslav said at the New York Times DealBook Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center, as Licht sat in the audience. The exec was ousted from CNN last June after a tumultuous run capped by a damning profile in The Atlantic. Weeks before the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger closed in April 2022, Zaslav had chosen Licht to head up CNN, reportedly without having conducted a robust search process. The two had been personally acquainted before the hiring.
“Chris is a good friend,” Zaslav said. As to their parting ways, he added, “That was … look, there are a lot of good days and a lot of tough days. Chris has had a lot of great days. He created Morning Joe. He created CBS This Morning. We had a lot of fun and a lot of battles together. Chris is going to have a lot of great chapters and hopefully some of those with us at Warner Bros. He’s very talented.”
Moderator Andrew Ross Sorkin asked Zaslav about the state of his relationship with Jeff Zucker, who had been a close friend for many years until his departure as head of CNN in February 2022. Zucker left due to a consensual relationship with colleague Allison Gollust, which had been widely known by staffers. Zucker’s exit caused unrest among CNN talent and staff and even prompted a threat of legal action by Zucker, as Deadline reported at the time.
“It appears that that relationship fractured,” Sorkin said. “I wouldn’t say it fractured,” Zaslav replied. “In the end, I believe that you want to foster friendships, but you have to make the decision that’s the best for the