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Licht Literature 101

A recent upbeat-ish Times profile on the new CNN chief revealed the depths of Zaz’s support, but was scant on future plans. Herewith, a close reading, with assistance from CNN kremlinologists.

Chris Licht
Chris Licht, Chairman and C.E.O. of CNN. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Dylan Byers
December 22, 2022

Earlier this week, I received a call from a notable CNN alumnus whom I hadn’t spoken with in over a year, since Before Times—before the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, before the infamous John Malone musings, before the Zucker–Gollust–Kilar–Cuomo imbroglio, before the anointment of Chris Licht and the internal resistance to his leadership, and before the recent spate of layoffs. This source was intimately familiar with the head-spinning changes that the network had endured in that span of time.