Warner Bros Discovery is expected to shut down CNN+ just three weeks after the cable network launched the failing streaming service, according to reports.
CNN boss Chris Licht, who officially starts his new job on May 1, told staffers at a midday meeting Thursday that “this was an incredibly successful launch” but that it wasn’t compatible with Warner Bros Discovery’s new plans, according to a report by CNN.
“It’s not your fault that you had the rug pulled out from underneath you,” Licht said, the network reported.
According to CNN, Andrew Morse, the executive vice president in charge of CNN+ and all of CNN’s digital businesses, will depart the company.
The report said that during the meeting, CEO and president of Warner Bros. Discovery global streaming and interactive entertainment, JB Perrette expressed frustration with CNN’s “prior leadership,” which was led by Jeff Zucker until February, and WarnerMedia, which was led by Jason Kilar until early April.
“Some of this was avoidable,” Perrette reportedly said, but “prior leadership decided to just keep going” with the planned March launch of CNN+ despite the impending merger, he said.
