It started like any other day at CNN. Dozens of staff members tuned in to the network’s editorial call Thursday morning from New York, Los Angeles, London and distant world capitals.
But there was one difference: Chris Licht, who was fired as chairman of the network on Wednesday, was not present.
It was led by Virginia Moseley, one of three network veterans who have been put in charge of the editorial board, according to several people familiar with her comments. And it was clear she was trying to turn the page: The call focused on news coverage, including the Canadian wildfires and the war in Ukraine. Mrs. Moseley made no mention of Mr. Licht’s impeachment.
In a memo to employees ahead of the meeting, CNN’s new leadership acknowledged the crisis stemming from Mr. Licht’s final days at the network, and spoke optimistically about the future. It was signed alphabetically by the authors’ first names: Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent and content development; David Leavy, CNN chief operating officer and veteran communications consultant; Eric Sherling, executive vice president of American programming; and Ms. Moseley, executive vice president of editorial.
“We understand how disorienting and distressing it can be when we get into the news, and these recent changes can be difficult to navigate, both personally and professionally,” they said, adding: “Now is the time for us as the leadership of CNN to meet the moment, as you have done time and time again.
CNN declined to comment.
In interviews, some CNN journalists expressed frustration with the network’s wall-to-wall coverage and Mr. Licht, and expressed hope that it would end soon. (The network’s audience devoured the story; the only mention of Mr. Licht on the morning’s editorial call related to CNN’s article about his impeachment, which was one of the most popular on the network’s digital platforms on Wednesday. , according to three people familiar with his readers.)
CNN’s new leaders will face many of the challenges that Mr. Licht worked to overcome. The company’s traditional business, which relies largely on TV advertising and cable fares, is facing long-term decline. The digital operation is in the middle of an overhaul. It is preparing for the 2024 presidential election, an important event for the network and its activities. And morning and primetime programming continues to be refined, leaving crucial slots in CNN’s lineup unfinished.
CNN is making progress on some of those fronts. The network is considering new anchors to partner with CNN veteran Poppy Harlow in the morning, including White House correspondent Phil Mattingly and correspondent Rahel Solomon, according to two people familiar with the discussions.
Athan Stephanopoulos, who Mr. Light last year as CNN’s chief digital officer has laid out a plan to generate $1 billion over the next several years. And the company is hosting a series of town hall forums for presidential candidates, including one next week with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
David Zaslav, the CEO of CNN’s parent company, said on Wednesday he was looking for a permanent replacement for Mr. Licht. Mr Zaslav, who selected Mr Licht without interviewing other candidates, said he was determined to start a recruitment process, even if it would take months.
Last week, Mr. Zaslav mr. Leavy, one of his longtime top advisers, has been appointed chief operating officer at CNN. Hours after Mr. Light Wednesday was forced to leave, Mr. Leavy to continue, telling executives in a meeting that he had nothing but respect for Mr. Light and his predecessor, Jeff Zucker.
“The Zucker wars are over,” Mr. Leavy said, according to two people who were privy to his comments.
