Brian Stelter

Chris Licht, the new chairman of CNN, has told employees that he is retooling the network's programming.

Mr. Stelter signed a deal for another four years at a salary of close to $1 million annually for his work on TV in addition to the Reliable Sources newsletter, his podcast and a daily show for the defunct CNN+ streaming service, according to four people with knowledge of the discussions. “It was a rare privilege to lead a weekly show focused on the press at a time when it has never been more consequential,” Mr. Stelter spent six years at The New York Times, where he became known for breaking big stories about the TV news industry. Malone said that he had “nothing to do with” the cancellation of Mr. How do the sources know the information? He has also said that he is planning to Licht, a veteran producer who helped conceive MSNBC’s popular “Morning Joe” round table, told employees in a town-hall meeting that he intends to be involved in the network’s morning programming. The lineup will include a number of new programs, such as “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace,” an interview program featuring the veteran Sunday show interlocutor. On average, during that time slot, more people watched Mr. That new focus seemed to put Mr. Licht, CNN has eschewed the “breaking news” banners that once heralded stories large and small, and political news shows have tried to book more conservative voices.

Brian Stelter, the vociferous, always-on media reporter, is leaving CNN after it cancelled "Reliable Sources"

“I’m grateful for my nine years with CNN, proud of what we accomplished on Reliable Sources and so thankful for the viewers who tuned in every week for our examination of the media, truth and the stories that shape our world,” Stelter said in a statement. “Reliable Sources” has in recent weeks won the most viewership among audiences between 25 and 54 — the audience most coveted by advertisers in news programming — on CNN’s Sunday daytime schedule. But the show has been outmatched by Fox News Channel’s “MediaBuzz,” led Howard Kurtz, who anchored “Reliable Sources” before Stelter started his tenure. Licht has already indicated he plans to retool CNN’s Sunday schedule with a block of programming that includes a new show led by Chris Wallace as well as a newsmagazine focused on enterprise and feature reporting. Chris Licht, the former CBS executive who has taken the reins of CNN, has articulated a plan to return the network to its news bona fides. Stelter, author of “Hoax!,” a book that examines the inner workings and journalistic processes of Fox News Channel, often aimed “Reliable Sources” at topics such as disinformation and media polarization.

"Stelter came to CNN from the New York Times as the nation's top media reporter. He departs CNN an impeccable broadcaster," she said in a statement. "We are ...

Stelter covered the media business, including pop culture, cable news and politics. "We appreciate his contributions to the network and wish him well as he embarks on new endeavors." He departs CNN an impeccable broadcaster," she said in a statement.

CNN is dropping its Sunday show Reliable Sources while its host, Brian Stelter, is exiting the network. A spokesperson for CNN said, “CNN will end its ...

It has been a hell of a ride working with Brian Stelter and the Reliable Sources team over the last five years. He created the TVNewser blog while still a student, and it became a must-read in the media news business. Stelter also has been a frequent on-air presence during CNN news programming, particularly in commenting on Donald Trump and his attacks on the media. We are proud of what Brian and his team accomplished over the years, and we’re confident their impact and influence will long outlive the show.” John Malone, one of the largest shareholders in Warner Bros. In the aftermath of Jeff Zucker’s departure from CNN earlier this year, Stelter pushed back on Malone’s comments and wrote in the Reliable Sources newsletter that they “stoked fears that Discovery might stifle CNN journalists and steer away from calling out indecency and injustice.” After Licht joined CNN, Axios reported that he wanted on-air talent to take on a less partisan tone, as he is said to have been concerned over the image of the CNN brand. Discovery, the new parent company of CNN, Network staffers have been expecting significant changes under the new leadership, with a bit of unease. We appreciate his contributions to the network and wish him well as he embarks on new endeavors.” The show’s team was notified of the cancellation on Thursday. He wrote that the newsletter “will tackle trust and all who influence it, from news anchors to podcast hosts to popular internet personalities.” It was a rare privilege to lead a weekly show focused on the press at a time when it has never been more consequential.

Why it matters: Reliable Sources is one of CNN's longest-running programs. The show debuted in 1993, just at the beginning of the cable news era. Stelter is one ...

- Stelter was chosen to host the program after a rotation of various media journalists auditioned for the part. A longtime friend of Licht, Kadro is being brough on to help brainstorm and develop new programming at the network, including CNN's morning show. ET, a source told Axios that there is a new long-form show in development for 8:00 p.m. "We appreciate his contributions to the network and wish him well as he embarks on new endeavors.” Stelter served as a consulting producer on the show. As a result, Brian Stelter will leave the company," a spokesperson said. - Stelter is one of CNN's most prolific on-air personalities when it comes to digital reporting. Why it matters: Reliable Sources is one of CNN's longest-running programs. After that, CNN will cancel the program. [Brian Stelter](https://www.axios.com/2019/06/28/brian-stelter-fox-news-trump-book), the host of CNN's longtime media analysis show, "Reliable Sources" is leaving the network, sources told Axios. - In addition to his weekly Sunday program, Stelter briefly hosted a daily weekly streaming media show "Reliable Sources Daily," for CNN's His last show will be Sunday, Aug.

The 30-year-old "Reliable Sources" is the first major programming casualty under CNN's new boss Chris Licht.

He has also said he planned to overhaul the network’s morning show, “New Day.” The small staff dedicated to working on the weekly television show will have the opportunity to apply for new jobs at CNN. CNN Plus was also the home for a daily version of “Reliable Sources,” hosted by Stelter, before it was shuttered. In addition to his weekly show, Stelter also produced an influential daily email newsletter about the media for CNN. His show was one of only two national television news programs dedicated to reporting on and analyzing the media industry. The veteran news producer and television executive began serving as chairman and chief executive of CNN Worldwide in May, replacing Jeff Zucker, who was pushed out by parent company management in February.

A move away from opinion and back to news didn't have to mean killing off CNN's longest-running show. But the network's critics won.

CNN in effect amplified those voices when it could easily have defended its longest-running show and made it a part of the network’s future. The problem is that killing Reliable Sources doesn’t move CNN closer to the center as much as it confirms what the network’s worst critics have said, and hands those people the satisfaction of seeing Stelter dismissed. The story called Stelter a “left-wing lackey.” Others accused Stelter of pulling punches in covering media stories about CNN: “He was a flawed but essential voice in the national media. Reliable Sources has been one of CNN’s few ratings success stories, regularly finishing as the network’s highest-rated weekend show. The last edition of Reliable Sources will air on Sunday.

The sudden cancellation of the outspoken anchor and media reporter's show, 'Reliable Sources,' may offer clues about the network's future under newly ...

No one is telling him what to do or how it works.” Whether Stelter’s exit augurs any additional shake-ups is yet to be seen, but we won’t have to wait long: Licht is expected to put more of a stamp on the network come fall. “But at the end of the day, Licht is executing his vision on how to get there. Another knowledgeable source told me word on the street is that CNN is looking at a broader revamp of its Sunday programming, but a spokesperson didn’t immediately get back to me with a comment. [said](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/john-malone-says-warnermedia-discovery-getting-rid-of-cnn-would-be-the-cowards-way-out.html) he “would like to see CNN evolve back to the kind of journalism that it started with, and actually have journalists, which would be unique and refreshing.” The widespread interpretation of those remarks is that Malone wants CNN to be less liberal, which could explain the cancellation of Stelter’s Reliable Sources, a weekly media show—dunzo after this Sunday’s edition—that emerged over the past several years as one of the most adversarial chroniclers of modern-day GOP meshugas. Hence all the talk of diversifying CNN’s contributor ranks, and the olive branches to Republicans, which Licht handed out recently on a romp through Capitol Hill. As one well-placed source suggested to me when the news began leaking out on Thursday afternoon, “John Malone, John Malone, John Malone.” That would be the billionaire media mogul and Warner Bros.

Stelter was hired by former CNN president Jeffrey Zucker in 2013 to host “Reliable Sources” after long-time presenter Howard Kurtz left for the Fox News Channel ...

The two have worked closely together since Darcy joined CNN in 2017. At CNN, Stelter was known for his no-holds-barred approach to media punditry regarding competing news outlets and others in the journalism space. (Data released by numerous third party analytics firms showed it was well behind many of its peers in customer adoption.)

Did CNN's Brian Stelter lose his job because of politics or money? Two theories about the departure of CNN's star media reporter — and what it tells us about ...

I hate saying “wait and see” at the end of stories like this. And CNN spokesman Matt Dornic told me that the news service is under no pressure from its new owner to reduce headcount, noting that Licht has said he wants to hire more journalists. Malone said he wants “the ‘news’ portion of CNN to be more centrist, but I am not in control or directly involved.” But that may not be anything close to enough to help the parent company hit its numbers. So in this theory, Malone believes Stelter represents the excesses of CNN’s coverage. The only thing I’m sure about is that he wants to use his swan song to talk about all of this. David Zaslav](https://twitter.com/brianstelter/status/1351906876980678657?s=21&t=CXfSx8Nqz2-3YMuNrzU3gQ) — but not a huge draw for normals. “If I watched CNN via Fox News, I would hate CNN too.” John Malone only watches CNN via Fox News,” says a CNN employee. That’s the preamble. But before we get there, let’s talk about why we’re talking about Brian Stelter: Yes, people in media care way too much about other people in media. And media reporters — like me — are even guiltier of this.

"Reliable Sources" host Brian Stelter developed a reputation as one of CNN's most partisan liberal hosts. Here's a look back at his tenure at the network.

His newsletter put a spotlight on CNN’s own reporter claiming to match "key parts" of NPR’s reporting, but Stelter referred to the situation as a "masking dustup" and began by noting that NPR is standing by the story despite a trio of Supreme Court justices, representing both sides of the aisle, discrediting it. "I think a lot of people don't get it," Stelter told Lorenz. I also have a source that says Chris was on the phone with his brother this week-" In April 2021, Stelter downplayed the botched "60 Minutes" report that accused Republican Florida Gov. "There's a lot about this story that does not add up," Stelter told his viewers at the time. "In a small way, your network is involved in this story because, of course, the governor's brother Chris Cuomo has his show," Colbert began the exchange before pointing to the New York Times' recent reporting about the CNN star advising the governor to resign. You have a daughter going into kindergarten, I have a daughter going into pre-K, and I think to myself what kind of country is this going to be when they are our age?" But we do know that this is a classic example of the right-wing media machine." That wasn't the case for "Reliable Sources" when CNN's John Avlon filled in for Stelter in late April 2021. When you watch the news, when you read the news, what do you think we get wrong?" Liberal historian Douglas Brinkley said Trump was "a sick man in the White House." I'm talking, of course, about President Trump, about his behavior, about his instability.The contradictions, the lies, the complete rejection of reality."

CNN's chairman and CEO Chris Licht told anxious staffers Friday that more changes are coming to CNN in wake of Brian Stelter's exit.

Malone himself told The New York Times in an email that he had “nothing to do with” the cancellation of Reliable Sources. “As for me, well, I have to gather my thoughts,” Stelter wrote on the augmented version of his widely read “Reliable Sources” newsletter last night. “Oliver Darcy will be working on a reimagined ‘Reliable Sources’ newsletter,” he told staff. In that vein, Licht tried to paint the best face possible on Thursday’s dismissals, which also include staffers of Reliable Sources, who are being given the option of applying for their jobs elsewhere at the network. Reliable Sources’ Oliver Darcy announced on social media Thursday that he would remain at CNN, a statement he reiterated in Thursday’s newsletter. “He is caught between a rock and a hard place and getting squeezed.” The source added about the influential stockholder, “If this isn’t coming from John Malone directly, it sure represents his thinking with lieutenants doing his bidding.” [Warner Bros Discovery](https://deadline.com/tag/warner-bros-discovery-2/)-owned cable newser worried about both the direction CNN is going and their own jobs. He wrote that Malone’s comments had “stoked fears that Discovery might stifle CNN journalists and steer away from calling out indecency and injustice.” “This isn’t why Chris came to CNN, to fire people,” a well-placed corporate source noted. That process is likely to lead to changes, Licht said. I know that it is unsettling.”