WIBC Radio host Tony Katz is calling on CNN to get back to its roots as a news outlet after the network canceled “Reliable Sources” and dismissed its host, Brian Stelter.
During his show Tuesday, Katz said that he’s curious about what’s next for CNN following Discovery’s takeover and the appointment of Chris Licht as its new CEO.
“The housecleaning is not done,” said Katz. “Stelter was only there because Jeff Zucker wanted him there. Maybe because he just needed somebody he thought resembled him. Whatever he saw in Stelter, that’s the reason he (Stelter) had a career or any power.”
Katz said the feedback and the ratings from “Reliable Sources” make it obvious that the show did not offer “anything of intellectual prowess.”
“I don’t argue that some show on Sundays was going to be the juggernaut for the network,” he said. “I argue that as a host he (Stelter) made no effort and he had far less talent than anybody gave him credit for.”
Katz remarked that he’s glad that “Reliable Sources” is gone if it means that CNN is going to get back to the news business.
“That doesn’t mean that they should avoid the opinion business,” added Katz. “I’m not asking them to avoid the opinion business. I’m asking them to do things in a way that’s smart, that is valuable, that reaches an audience, and wants an audience to engage.”
