Many questions remain regarding CNN’s unceremonious cancellation of “Reliable Sources” and the subsequent exit of host Brian Stelter. The network under CEO Chris Licht has undergone several changes and there’s more to come.
Recently, Licht sat down with journalist Kara Swisher on her podcast to discuss a bevy of topics related to the network, a network that Licht has promised to steer in an entirely different direction than his predecessor Jeff Zucker.
Licht touched on Stelter’s departure, citing the need for CNN to take a different approach when it comes to covering what’s happening in the media. “Reliable Sources” focused on the analysis of and commentary from the American news media.
“I want to do media coverage in a different way,” Licht told Swisher. “I think you can see Sarah Fisher who we just brought over as a contributor, who still works for Axios, and my vision for media coverage is that it doesn’t really have a place on linear television.”
Stelter came to CNN after working as a media reporter for The New York Times. Stelter had agreed to host a daily episode of Reliable Sources on CNN+, but the streaming platform was disbanded shortly thereafter.
Licht said he prefers that CNN do media analysis and commentary on its digital platform which reportedly reaches 180 million unique users.
“When it makes sense to be on television, we put Oliver Darcey on or we put Sarah [Fisher] on,” he added.
Stelter reportedly had three years left on his contract when he was let go by CNN. Swisher reported during the conversation that Stelter had told friends that he felt like a sacrificial lamb. Swisher asked Licht why he didn’t offer Stelter a position elsewhere in the company.
“I don’t really want to get into specifics on that,” Licht stated. “It’s not fair to Brian.”
