Is Zucker’s exit a huge loss for CNN?

Jeff Zucker has as the president of CNN and the chairman of WarnerMedia’s news and sports division, writing in a memo that he had failed to disclose to the company a romantic relationship with another senior executive at CNN

The 56 year old Zucker is among the most powerful leaders in the American media and television industries.

A huge loss for CNN, which has being going through so much turmoil over the last year.

Zucker said in a memo to colleagues that he was “wrong” to not report the relationship as required.

Zucker did not name his colleague, but the relationship is with Allison Gollust, who was a friend of Zucker’s for the last two decades.

Zucker’s announcement came less than two months after he fired prime time anchor Chris Cuomo for advising his brother, Andrew Cuomo, about how to address sexual misconduct allegations.

The relationship was discovered during an investigation into the conduct of fired CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.

“As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years,” Zucker told employees in a memo.

“I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today.”

“Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years,” she said in a statement quoted by Mr Stelter on air.

“Recently, our relationship changed during Covid. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time.”

But where too next for Zucker?

News of Zucker’s resignation sent shockwaves inside CNN and across the industry.

Zucker and Gollust began working together at NBC in 1998.

Gollust intends to stay at the network while Zucker departs, she is currently the executive vice president and chief marketing officer at CNN.

He joined CNN in 2013. He was successful in his role as chief, breaking viewership records in 2020 and saw the most viewers in its history during January 2021.

Under Zucker, CNN adopted a “Facts First” slogan and approach to the news and was “unrelenting in calling out Trump for his lies”, reports CNN business.

However, viewership has gone down.

Audience viewership has fallen nearly 90 percent this January compared to the same time last year, according to Nielsen ratings.

Zucker’s departure throws the network into even more turmoil, with the next steps for Zucker still unknown.