CNN’s prime programming government, Michael Bass, is leaving the cable news channel.
CNN CEO Chris Licht introduced the choice to workers on the channel Monday morning, writing in a memo that Bass “made the decision to leave CNN at the end of this year” and noting that “he has been a steady hand during some of the most turbulent times this network has faced.”
Licht added that CNN is “launching a search for Michael’s replacement, and we will communicate an interim plan in the coming days.”
Bass was one of many executives who ran CNN (the others have been expertise and content material growth chief Amy Entelis and operations and manufacturing government Ken Jautz) on an interim foundation after Jeff Zucker left the channel earlier this yr. Licht formally named Bass to his workforce in July.
Bass was a very long time deputy to Zucker, having labored with him at NBC’s Today present and at Katie, the Katie Couric syndicated discuss present that Zucker ran after departing NBC. Zucker employed him at CNN in 2013 to guide programming.
Licht’s memo is under.
To my CNN colleagues,
I’m writing to let you already know that Michael Bass has made the choice to depart CNN on the finish of this yr. Throughout his practically decade-long run at this group, Michael has demonstrated unbelievable management and perseverance. He has been a gentle hand throughout a few of the most turbulent instances this community has confronted.
Along with a superb and brave workforce, Michael saved CNN stay and on air as COVID-19 shut the world down. Never has CNN been extra important than these bleak days when individuals have been struggling to know the pandemic. And as part of the “Trio,” Michael, Amy, and Ken guided CNN via a troublesome transition interval whereas concurrently overseeing our distinctive protection of the struggle in Ukraine.
As head of home programming, Michael helped create quite a few new reveals and overhaul legacy applications. His full checklist of accomplishments is simply too nice to acknowledge in a single memo. But on the heels of the midterms, it’s price noting that he oversaw protection of elections, city halls and debates, and is the creator of CNN’s Key Race Alerts, which proceed to differentiate our election protection in the present day. He additionally developed quite a few particular collection comparable to Roots, The Person Who Changed My Life, Champions for Change, and the “Beyond the Call of Duty” franchise.
I want Michael properly in his future endeavors and thank him for his contributions, steerage, and friendship. We are launching a seek for Michael’s substitute, and we are going to talk an interim plan within the coming days.
Chris
