Happy Nice Mall

NEW YORK (AP) — CNN CEO Jeff Zucker has caused some prominent employees to feel angry and uncertain about the direction of their network at a crucial moment because of a workplace relationship.

The company is about to go through a corporate ownership change, launch a paid streaming service, and replace its most popular live streaming host at a time when ratings are plummeting.

It became clear Thursday that Zucker had left after nine years. CNNThe leader of ‘s was nothing but a volunteer.

Zucker said he left because he violated company policy, not disclosing the nature of his relationship with his second-in-command, Allison Gollust. However, it was reported that he was not given any other option by WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar. CNN Washington staff Wednesday night. The Associated Press received an audio recording of this meeting.

The nature of this meeting, combined with the fact that Zucker’s exit has become a water cooler affair – former President Donald Trump has made two statements about it – points to his unusual influence as a media executive.

“He was a larger-than-life figure in the political ecosystem, the media ecosystem, and worldwide. CNN,” aforementioned Mark LukasiewiczHe is dean of the Hofstra University School of Communications and a former colleague of Zucker’s at NBC News.

Kilar was showered with questions CNNWashington staff. According to the tape, they wondered if he had received advice from other executives, why Zucker wasn’t given a transitional period, and if the gossip dislike between the two men played a role in the decision.

“Since these are two consenting adults… why is this an impeachable crime?” asked White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins.

TV presenter Jake Tapper said there was a perception that Chris Cuomo was fired in December. CNN landlord, because his brother was privately advising former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo—essentially, he had succeeded in a threat to embarrass the company by revealing the relationship if he didn’t pay a settlement fee.

Even some who temporarily replaced Zucker – veteran CNN executives Michael Bass, Amy Entelis and Ken Jautz – talked about his impact on the organization and said they would follow the direction he set.

Jautz said at the staff meeting: CNN Founder Ted Turner said, “Jeff has had more influence on this place than anyone else, certainly more than any manager.”

CNNJohn King described Zucker’s hands-on effect on what’s going on on the air and his fear of the unknown without him.

“You may not agree with every decision,” King said at the meeting. “But you knew someone was going to make a decision, you’d know which way to go. And there’s been a long time this company hasn’t had that, and these are bleak times.”

The new leader’s choice was ultimately made by Discovery, Inc. and WarnerMedia’s pending merger will be owned by David Zaslav, named president of the new company created.

But it means CNN while getting ready to launch suddenly point without contact CNN+ this spring streaming service. Zucker was active in building his features and hiring talent, like former Fox News host Chris Wallace, for which he was set to become a public cheerleader.

Kilar, at the Washington meeting, CNN+ every bit as important as the start CNN itself. Adding to the challenges is that with the exception of Fox Nation, there will be a paid service when there are others in the industry that offer free access.

CNN He’s also due for Cuomo’s spot in the primetime series and goes with a set of backups. Zucker recently applied to Gayle King for the job before deciding to re-sign with CBS News.

The television network’s viewership has dropped significantly over the past year. News ratings have always been cyclical, and the 2020 election brought record numbers of people, but there’s always the question of when or if they’ll return.

CNN It also comes out of a controversial period where Trump often refers to the network as “fake news”. In his meeting with Kilar, CNNJim Acosta said that Zucker stood firm against the attacks and was worried if anyone else would do the same.

CNN The on-air staff under Zucker, like Acosta, got a lot more stubborn, and it wasn’t always popular.

“It’s interesting to see if that culture will change with new leadership,” said Jennifer Thomas, professor of journalism at Howard University. CNN As a producer in the 2000s

Some people, like Thomas, have called for a reset. One of them, Discovery’s largest shareholder, told CNBC in November, CNN a return to the kind of journalism where he started.”

Lukasiewicz aforementioned he I see no reason to think that this change will happen. Most interesting is what the emergence of streaming as a news platform with a diverse audience will mean for the industry. he aforementioned.

a difficult time for CNN enter a period with temporary leadership, Lukasiewicz aforementioned. But not all times of such turmoil end negatively.

“Sometimes a change in leadership, while not welcome right now, can lead to good things in the future.” he aforementioned.