After a report over the weekend surfaced that CNN would name Chris Licht their new president to replace the outgoing Jeff Zucker, the move was made official on Monday morning.
Discovery, Inc. made it official, announcing Licht as the new chairman and CEO of CNN Global, per Adweek. The appointment will be effective after WarnerMedia completes its merger with Discovery, expected in the early second quarter.
“I have known and admired Chris for more than 15 years and strongly believe he is the best person to lead CNN Global as part of Warner Bros. Discovery,” Discovery CEO and incoming CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav said in a statement.
“Chris is a dynamic and creative producer, an engaging and thoughtful journalist, and a true news person. He has more than two decades of broadcast experience across local, cable and national news. He has been in the field, in the control room and on the set. He is a highly principled individual who is trusted, hard-working and makes every organization stronger, more innovative, and more cohesive.”
Licht has more than 20 years of experience in the television news business. Furthermore, he currently acts as the EVP of special programming at CBS and executive producer and showrunner for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity, especially at such an important time for our country and the world,’’ Licht said.
“CNN has a rich and storied legacy and I both promise to uphold it and build upon it. I am eternally grateful to Stephen Colbert and the peerless Late Show team for an unforgettable run. I am looking forward to returning to my journalism roots.”
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
