CNN names CBS exec Chris Licht as chairman & CEO

Chris Licht

Chris Licht has been named as chairman and CEO of CNN Global, following the exit of president Jeff Zucker.

The appointment will be effective following the completion of Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, which is expected in Q2, and will see the EVP of special programming at CBS leading all operations at the news and factual division.

Licht has worked on shows including The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, CBS This Morning and MSNBC’s Morning Joe and was described by WarnerBros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav as “a dynamic and creative producer, an engaging and thoughtful journalist, and a true news person.”

Zaslav added: “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 organisation stronger, more innovative, and more cohesive.”

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.”

Zucker resigned last month after failing to disclose a “consensual relationship” with a colleague, following almost a decade in the role. The revelation came following an investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN.