Chris Licht exits CNN and the company has put in place a transition plan with the appointment of an acting leadership team

Chris Licht will be leaving CNN and Warner Bros. Discovery will be conducting a wide search, internally and externally, for a new leader, informed David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery in a memo to the staff.

“I have known Chris for many years and have enormous respect for him, personally and professionally. This job was never going to be easy, especially at a time of great disruption and transformation, and Chris poured his heart and soul into it. He has a deep love for journalism and this business and that has been evident throughout his tenure. Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we had hoped – and ultimately that’s on me. I take responsibility. Needless to say, we appreciate Chris’ efforts and dedication and wish him all the best,” he said in the letter.

Zaslav announced the company has put in place a transition plan with the appointment of an acting leadership team made up of experienced programming executives. Among them are Amy Entelis, EVP, of Talent & Content Development, Virginia Moseley, EVP, of Editorial, and Eric Sherling, EVP, of U.S. Programming, along with David Leavy, COO, on the commercial side.

“We have great confidence in this group and will fully support them until a new CEO is named. We are in good hands, allowing us to take the time we need to run a thoughtful and thorough search for a new leader. You’ve heard me say it many times: CNN has the greatest journalists in the world… we are deeply committed to supporting them and the critical work that CNN does every day. We must get this right – and we will!” pointed out Zaslav.