This time final yr, the narrative about CNN was lastly beginning to flip round. The community was reeling from a monthslong onslaught of disaster and controversy, which finally claimed the roles of prime-time star Chris Cuomo, beloved community boss Jeff Zucker, and high comms/advertising and marketing govt Allison Gollust. Then got here the conflict in Ukraine, a worldwide disaster that nonetheless reminded the world of CNN’s goal and mission throughout moments of worldwide tumult, placing all these distracting headlines about messy personnel issues into perspective. “I’ve watched in awe,” wrote then incoming CEO Chris Licht in a observe to workers, “how you might be masking the still-unfolding Ukraine story. It’s an ideal instance of the facility and influence of CNN.”
Twelve months later, at the same time as CNN continues its heroic protection of the carnage in Jap Europe, the distracting headlines are again with a vengeance. Licht has weathered a good quantity of bumpy information tales all through his nine-month tenure, however the previous few weeks have been notably tough. Drama on the set of CNN’s new morning present, which is Licht’s high programming precedence so far—and one which seems to have a protracted exhausting street forward when it comes to constructing an viewers—has created a tabloid feeding frenzy. The newest ripple within the saga, involving Don Lemon’s disastrous feedback about Nikki Haley and the age which constitutes a girl’s “prime,” has elevated the state of affairs from a New York Put up and Each day Mail spectacular to the pages of The New York Instances and The Washington Put up, with Licht working injury management internally.
The most recent twist got here in a Web page Six headline that introduced the entire thing full circle: “CNN workers divided over loyalties to execs as Don Lemon drama lingers.” As one supply advised the oft all-knowing gossip column, the community’s ranks have splintered into “pro-Zucker” and “pro-Licht” contingents—name them Zuckerites and Lichtians, if you’ll. However right here’s the a part of the story that raised eyebrows: “Zucker’s affect nonetheless looms giant, and a supply advised Web page Six the ousted honcho even needed to try to purchase CNN—however that the brand new regime would by no means let a deal like that occur. Stated an insider of Zucker, ‘He’s made overtures to purchase CNN, however they’d not permit that to occur.’”
On Wednesday, my cellphone began lighting up with reactions to the Web page Six merchandise. “Everybody over in Hudson Yards is speaking about it,” one particular person knowledgeable me from CNN’s headquarters on the West Aspect of Manhattan, including of the Zucker tidbit, “Everybody thinks there’s one thing to it.” (Little question there’s a little bit of wishful considering among the many Zuckerites.) This subsequent half was most likely to be anticipated, however I spoke with 4 very well-placed sources who poured chilly water everywhere in the notion of Zucker—now CEO of a $1 billion fund concentrating on sports activities and leisure investments—making a play for CNN. The remarks I bought ranged from “not true” to “bullshit” to “past fantasy.” (Zucker’s spokesperson didn’t have a remark.)
The Zucker intrigue dovetails with a extra basic rumor that has been quietly circulating in current weeks: that CNN is on the market. Take this for what it’s price, however that’s not the impression I’ve gotten from speaking to folks accustomed to the considering atop CNN’s guardian firm, Warner Bros. Discovery. In non-public conversations, Warner CEO David Zaslav continues to talk enthusiastically of CNN, telling associates he feels the community is making progress regardless of all of the noise, and that success shall be a protracted recreation. (Although absolutely he might do with out complications just like the Lemon imbroglio.) He’s additionally talked up how CNN has satisfied Republican lawmakers to start out showing on the community once more, signaling a deliberate shift from the partisan rap it garnered through the Trump years. Sources spelled it out bluntly: “CNN just isn’t on the market.” (Requisite caveat: Something can occur.)
Reps for CNN and WBD declined to remark. But when Zaslav has something to say publicly about CNN, we received’t have to attend lengthy to listen to it: He’s scheduled to talk at 4:30 p.m. Thursday (East Coast time) throughout WBD’s newest quarterly earnings name.
