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☆ CNN CEO Chris Licht apologizes to staff over disastrous Atlantic magazine profile: 'I should not be in the news unless it's taking arrows for you'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Taylor Berman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

CNN CEO Chris Licht has apologized to his staff over a disastrous profile published by The Atlantic on Friday. Three days after The Atlantic published a bombshell profile about him, CNN CEO Chris Licht has apologized to his staff in an editorial call. The Atlantic profile, written by Tim Alberta, described Licht as aloof from staff, in contrast to his well-liked predecessor Jeff Zucker. Puck's Dylan Byers reports Licht told staffers on the call that he will move his office back to the newsroom. Insiders at CNN have also shared their theories on how the article became such an spectacular and ill-timed mess for Licht and CNN.

Persons: Chris Licht, Licht, Brian Stelter, Jake Tapper, Nikki Haley, I've, Tim Alberta, Jeff Zucker, Trump ., Puck's Dylan Byers Organizations: CNN, The Atlantic, Morning, GOP, Trump, CNN's New Locations: Alberta, CNN's, CNN's New York City

☆ Former CNN Chief Jeff Zucker Has a New Job at RedBird IMI. What Is It?
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Since leaving CNN a year ago, Jeff Zucker, the network’s former president, has been on the hunt for deals, flush with $1 billion in backing from big investors in the worlds of media and finance. In addition to Mr. Zucker, the key players in the new venture, known as RedBird IMI, are Gerry Cardinale, the chief executive and founder of RedBird, and Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, an Emirati government minister who has spearheaded many of IMI’s investment conversations in the United States. Mr. Cardinale is the chief investment officer of RedBird IMI, and Mr. Al Jaber is chairman. RedBird is committing $250 million to the venture, and IMI has agreed to commit the remaining $750 million. The men gathered to discuss business last fall in a suite overlooking a Formula 1 racetrack in Abu Dhabi.

Persons: Jeff Zucker, Zucker, Gerry Cardinale, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Cardinale, Al Jaber, RedBird Organizations: CNN, RedBird Capital Partners, International Media Investments, United Arab, IMI Locations: United Arab Emirates, United States, Abu Dhabi

☆ Former CNN boss Jeff Zucker's $1 billion venture is reportedly considering a big investment in former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter's media startup Air Mail
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Zucker's firm, RedBird IMI, is reportedly one of three investors circling a majority stake in Air Mail. Jeff Zucker's media venture, RedBird IMI, is exploring a majority stake in Graydon Carter's startup Air Mail, The New York Times reported. It is one of three investors circling Air Mail, according to the Times. Carter, who spent 25 years leading Condé Nast's Vanity Fair, launched Air Mail — "a lively digital weekly for the world citizen," per its website — in 2019. In May 2021, as he was seeking investors for the series B, Carter told Insider he expected Air Mail to reach profitability in three years.

Persons: Jeff Zucker, Graydon Carter's, Zucker, Jeff Zucker's, Carter, Condé, Axios, RedBird, Zucker's, Chris Licht, David Zaslav, Licht, Donald Trump, Zaslav, Carter cohosted Organizations: CNN, IMI, Air Mail, Morning, RedBird IMI, The New York Times, RedBird Capital Partners, Abu, Media Investments, Air, Times, Standard Investments, TPG Growth, Warner Bros, Discovery, Cannes Film Locations: Abu Dhabi, Zaslav

☆ Could Jeff Zucker Fix CNN? He Seems to Think So.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Benjamin Mullin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The complaint wasn’t unusual for Mr. Zucker, 58. He often compares notes on the media business with former colleagues and industry acquaintances, many of whom call him to grouse about the current state of CNN. Mr. Zucker’s criticism may be painful for executives running CNN to hear second- and thirdhand. Last month, CNN hosted a town hall with Mr. Trump in New Hampshire that was criticized for airing false information. Many anchors Mr. Zucker hired or promoted, including Jake Tapper, and Kaitlan Collins, who moderated the town hall, are still in prominent spots in CNN’s lineup.

Persons: Zucker, Chris Licht, Donald J, Trump, Jake Tapper, Kaitlan Collins Organizations: CNN, Nielsen Locations: New Hampshire

☆ Jeff Zucker reportedly compared his firing from CNN to a gunshot wound: 'I gave them a gun, and they shot me with it'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Alison Brower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jeff Zucker compared his firing from CNN to a gunshot wound, according to a New York Times report. Jeff Zucker compared his firing from CNN to a gunshot wound, according to a New York Times report — in part a self-inflicted one. "I gave them a gun, and they shot me with it," Zucker reportedly said. Zucker was an immensely popular leader at CNN, and his firing was a staggering shock to its newsroom and the media industry. Licht and Zucker met a few months after Zucker's firing, over a lunch in the Hamptons arranged by other media stakeholders, the Times reported.

Persons: Jeff Zucker, Zucker, Chris Licht, Allison Gollust, Tim Alberta, Gollust, Andrew Cuomo, Risa Heller, Heller, Zucker's, David Zaslav, Laurene Powell Jobs, Emerson, WBD, Licht, Don Lemon, Donald Trump, Zaslav, David Leavy Organizations: CNN, New York Times, Yale University, Times, Atlantic, WarnerMedia, Warner Bros, Discovery, Hamptons Locations: WarnerMedia, New York

☆ Inside CNN's epic PR fail that made a mockery of CEO Chris Licht
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( Nicholas Carlson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The Atlantic published a really tough article about CNN CEO Chris Licht. The disaster I'm referring to is Tim Alberta's devastating profile of CNN chair and CEO Chris Licht published Friday. And maybe, the story suggests, that's because that big idea is not really Licht's plan at all but one foisted on him by his boss, Warner Bros. Through the summer, Alberta and Licht and CNN comms people talked about what the story might look like. A handful of sources tell me Kelly was skeptical of whether this was a good idea, Dornic was happy to do whatever, and Licht really, really wanted to do it.

Persons: Chris Licht, CNN's goof, Tim Alberta's, Licht, Licht hasn't, Warner, David Zaslav, Zucker, Jeff Zucker, I've, I'm, Kris Coratti Kelly, Kelly, Matt Dornic, Dornic, Hugo, Evan Agostini, isn't, Michael Eisner, James B, Stewart, Eisner, Stewart's, Tim Alberta, Nikki Haley, Don Lemon, he'd, it's, that's, It's, wasn't, Zaslav Organizations: CNN, Trump Town Hall, Warner Bros, Discovery, Journalism, Licht, Global Communications, American Museum of, Disney, Alberta, Trump, Atlantic Locations: Alberta, Manhattan

☆ 'It's like watching a snuff film': Media elites shocked by The Atlantic's surgical dismantling of CNN boss Chris Licht
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Nicholas Carlson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

("I'm a fucking machine," Licht told me one day, when I asked why he was skipping a meal.) A clear-the-air town hall where he gets irritated with the CNN journalist interviewing him. Licht told Alberta. The big blunder Alberta returns to over and over in the story is the May 10 Trump town hall. Another media big wig, but one not at the conference, told me he thinks Licht is "done" at CNN.

Persons: moly, Chris Licht, Tim Alberta, Matt Dornic, Licht, Joe Maysonet, chirping, Zucker, Jeff Zucker, Here's Licht, Whatsapp, —, isn't, it's, Nikki Haley, Lago Organizations: CNN, Facebook, Alberta, Trump, Capitol, cnn, Cnn, Mar Locations: Alberta, Hudson, COVID, Puck, Trump, American

Follow for live updates on the Trump CNN town hall meeting. Those objections intensified on Tuesday after Mr. Trump was found liable for the sexual abuse and defamation of the writer E. Jean Carroll. And foes of Mr. Trump will cringe at seeing him on air at all. He is backed by David Zaslav, the Warner chief executive, who has batted away objections to Wednesday’s Trump town hall. There is the awkward fact that Mr. Trump still has a pending $475 million defamation lawsuit against the network.

☆ CNN CEO Chris Licht marks one year on the job with a network rebrand, upcoming ad campaign, and a Trump town hall
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The network is hoping its May 10 Trump town hall, to be anchored by Kaitlan Collins, delivers ratings. One year into his new role, CNN CEO Chris Licht is quietly working on a major brand refresh of the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned global news network. CNN is planning a new ad campaign, according to this person and a separate person familiar with conversations, once the changes are finalized and approved by Warners CEO David Zaslav. The town hall will mark the first time Trump has appeared on CNN in years. At least on the business side," they added, referencing the audiences and ad dollars a Trump campaign would bring.

☆ It's judgment day: Shocking exits of Tucker Carlson, Don Lemon, and Jeff Shell rock the TV industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Nathan Mcalone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

NBCU CEO Jeff Shell, Fox News' Tucker Carlson, and CNN's Don Lemon are all out. Shell's bombshell exit took many insiders by surprise, Insider's Claire Atkinson reported on Sunday. Fox News declined to comment beyond its press release saying it had agreed to "part ways" with Carlson. Media watchers had been primed for a Lemon exit for weeks. With all the news of the past 24 hours, media insiders have barely even gotten a chance to drill down into the second wave of layoffs at Disney, which will number in the thousands.

☆ NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell exits after an 'inappropriate relationship,' shocking insiders, and Comcast won't rush to replace him as corporate exec Mike Cavanagh steps up
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell's exit shocked company insiders and all of Hollywood. NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell's bombshell departure on Sunday night was a surprise to the well-regarded executive and also to his closest colleagues. Deadline reported that Shell's relationship was with CNBC's senior international correspondent, Hadley Gamble, which lasted 11 years but had ended a couple of years ago. "Comcast is as buttoned-up and straight as ever — this is a black eye for Brian Roberts," the Comcast CEO. A second company insider, however, said that Cavanagh is expected to remain in the role for some time.

☆ CNN fires anchor Don Lemon in the wake of sexist comments, reported mistreatment of colleagues
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

CNN on Monday fired anchor Don Lemon in the wake of sexist on-air comments and reports that he mistreated female coworkers during his 17 years at the network. Lemon, who had hosted "CNN This Morning" as scheduled, said his agent informed him about his termination Monday morning. Shortly after Lemon first tweeted that he was fired, the network's CEO, Chris Licht, said the anchor and CNN "parted ways." The report was based on more than a dozen former and current colleagues of Lemon, Variety said. He has served as the prime-time anchor of CNN's "Don Lemon Tonight" for more than eight years, the network's website says.

☆ CNN insiders say CEO Chris Licht is standing behind star anchor Don Lemon after reported allegations of misogyny
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

CNN is responding to a Variety article accusing Don Lemon of misogyny and other problematic behavior. "CNN This Morning," which Lemon hosts with Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins, was launched in November, part of a bet by CNN parent Warner Bros. "CNN This Morning" averaged 359,000 viewers in the first quarter, or when the HLN simulcast is included, 438,000 viewers. Collins, meanwhile is getting a new primetime slot on CNN, the network confirmed to the New York Post. Lemon had suggested on "CNN This Morning" that Nikki Haley was not a viable presidential candidate because she "isn't in her prime."

☆ CNN staffers are divided after a bombshell report accuses Don Lemon of misogyny. Insiders say it's 'another shit show' for network chief Chris Licht.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

CNN is responding to a Variety article accusing Don Lemon of misogyny and other problematic behavior. CNN is defending Don Lemon after a bombshell report by Variety about the network's star, while insiders are speculating about his ability to survive the latest blow. "CNN This Morning," which Lemon hosts with Poppy Harlow, and Kaitlan Collins, was launched in November, part of a bet by CNN parent Warner Bros. "CNN This Morning" averaged 359,000 viewers in the first quarter, or when the HLN simulcast is included, 438,000 viewers. Lemon had suggested on "CNN This Morning" that Nikki Haley was not a viable presidential candidate because she "isn't in her prime."

☆ 9 Middle Eastern funds and investors pouring money into US media, sports, and entertainment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Lucia Moses | Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Governments and investors in the Middle East are pouring money into Western media and entertainment. Sovereign funds and other entities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are pouring millions into US media and entertainment, and they're finding plenty of takers. The channels for money from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East are complex. Insider broke down the key entities — their owners, leaders, and high-profile investments and joint ventures — in the top three Middle Eastern nations pouring money into US entertainment and media. It describes itself as the largest media company in the Middle East and North Africa and runs one of the largest TV news channels, Al Arabiya.

☆ Saudi money is flowing to US media and entertainment, from Live Nation to LIV Golf, 5 years after Jamal Khashoggi's murder: 'The ice has thawed'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

Sovereign funds and other entities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are pouring millions into US media and entertainment. Insider identified some key people connecting Middle East investors with American companies. Saudi Arabia is trying to pitch itself to the world as a cultural and economic reformer and spur tourism. Vince McMahon's WWE has a long-term partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a major live WWE event there slated for May. Vince McMahon's WWE was one of the first US companies to create unique events in Saudi Arabia.

☆ Saudi money is pouring into Hollywood and media, 5 years after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Here's who's cashing in and how.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Claire Atkinson | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Sovereign funds and other entities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE are pouring millions into US media and entertainment. Saudi Arabia is trying to pitch itself to the world as a cultural and economic reformer and spur tourism. Even those media players that are comfortable with invetment from the Middle East may not find funds flowing, one Hollywood veteran said. A major live WWE event in Saudi Arabia is slated for May. Of the growing ties between US entertainment and media and Middle East investors, this person added, "Presumably media organizations got into this to help society make better decisions."

One of the really interesting questions here – this will be fascinating – the core of linear TV is sports rights. When you look at the size and scope of the linear TV business, it's huge. Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty ImagesByron Allen, Entertainment Studios founder and CEO: I think linear TV will exist for a very, very long time. Simmons: I believe Apple, out of nowhere, will start making their own awesome televisions that have Apple TV embedded in them. We are witnessing early stages of this dynamic with deals like "NFL Sunday Ticket" on YouTube and the MLS deal with Apple TV.

☆ How Warner Bros. Discovery layoffs, content cuts, and reorganization shocked Hollywood and fired up Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Lucia Moses | Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

David Zaslav has been enjoying a stock runup after Wall Street analysts expressed increased optimism about Warner Bros. Discovery, with much cost-cutting behind it and growth ahead as it plans to launch a new streaming service. AT&T's WarnerMedia merged with Discovery in 2022 in a $43 billion deal, creating a content behemoth combining Warner's HBO, CNN, and famed Warner Bros. film studio with Discovery's lifestyle and reality fare. Read more:A new content strategy that could tarnish crown jewel HBOWBD also looked for savings and revenue by shifting its content strategy ahead of combining HBO Max and Discovery+ into a mega streaming service to launch this spring. WBD shocked entertainment insiders by canceling high-profile projects like "Batgirl" and yanking episodes of shows including "Sesame Street" from HBO Max, and it has made other moves that concerned Hollywood creatives.

☆ How Gerry Cardinale became the go-to dealmaker for the likes of the Yankees, AC Milan, and Ben Affleck
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

He bought the soccer club AC Milan in August, earning the attention of the Italian press. This past spring, AC Milan won its first national title in 11 years. Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images Show less Cardinale at a training session for AC Milan. For instance, the teams sell each other's merchandise in their stadiums, and the YES Network airs AC Milan games. "Now we have a new phase of expansion and internationalization of AC Milan with Gerry."

☆ CNN is making big cuts, axing about 400 positions including open roles, insiders say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Staff cuts are being felt at CNN operations around the world. CNN is eliminating some 400 positions around the world, including open roles, equating to about 10% of staff, according to two people familiar with the company. HLN has been run by Ken Jautz, one of the three executives who had run CNN temporarily after CEO Jeff Zucker stepped down earlier this year. A second acting head of CNN, EVP programming Michael Bass, stepped down late last month. CNN International is also expected to experience a rejig of teams and bureau, according to the exec familiar with internal conversations.

☆ CNN’s Programming Chief Michael Bass Is Set to Exit by Year’s End
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta. The cable news network will launch a search for a new programming chief, CNN Chairman Chris Licht said. Michael Bass , CNN’s programming chief and a longtime ally of former President Jeff Zucker , is set to leave the network at the end of the year, CNN said. Chris Licht , CNN’s chairman and chief executive, wrote in an email to the company Monday that Mr. Bass decided to leave CNN after steering it through turbulent times. Mr. Licht didn’t say why Mr. Bass made the decision.

☆ CNN’s Programming Chief Michael Bass Is Set to Exit By Year’s End
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ CNN CEO Chris Licht is facing an increasingly angry newsroom as more layoffs loom, plans are murky, and staff have lost confidence after 'horrible programming decisions'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

CNN CEO Chris Licht has been faulted by the newsroom for too many changes and not enough communication. Chris Licht needs a hit. "People are starting to believe there is no plan," said one executive familiar with the workings of CNN. "Is Chris Licht going to be there for them and push back on government officials? Many on the ad sales team that was formerly dedicated to CNN have either been pink-slipped or joined the broader ad sales group under WBD ad honcho Jon Steinlauf.

☆ Walmart-backed One has made a splash with high-profile hires and big potential, but customers of the old regime feel left behind
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The ones left behindHaving your bank acquired by the nation's largest retailer might seem like an exciting opportunity. Read our full deep-dive into how One customers feel frustrated by changes made to their bank in the wake of its acquisition. In other news:Diddy, Heidi Klum, and Mindy Kaling are just a few of the many celebrities that celebrate Halloween with statement looks. Diddy/Instagram; Noam Galai/Getty Images for Heidi Klum; Mindy Kaling/Instagram2. Credit to Heidi Klum for going all in.

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