Licht will join Warner Bros. Discovery from CBS, where he was executive VP of special programming and executive producer of 'Late Show With Stephen Colbert'.
Veteran producer Chris Licht has officially been tapped as CEO of CNN Global.
The appointment will be effective following the completion of Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, expected in early Q2, and Licht will report directly to David Zaslav, incoming CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Licht has spent more than 20 years in broadcast news and currently serves as executive VP of special programming at CBS.
Commenting on the appointment, Zaslav said: “I have known and admired Chris for more than 15 years and strongly believe he is the best person to lead CNN Global as part of Warner Bros. Discovery. Chris is a dynamic and creative producer, an engaging and thoughtful journalist, and a true news person. 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 added: “I’m honoured to have this opportunity, especially at such an important time for our country and the world. 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.”
