Jeff Zucker to Leave CNN by End of Year

Warner Media announced that CNN President Jeff Zucker, will be leaving the cable channel at the end of 2021. Joining a wave of high-profile media executives who will be stepping down from their positions following the 2020 presidential elections.

According to CNN, Zucker said to his employees on Thursday morning, “The truth is, back in November and December, I had basically decided that it was time to move on now, but since then, I’ve had a change of heart. And I want to stay. Not forever, but for another year.”

Warner Media has not yet released information on who will be replacing Zucker in the top position at CNN.

Zucker has previously expressed his discontent with WarnerMedia Chief Executive Jason Kilar’s decision to reorganize the company’s executive rankings but reports indicate that the executives have now rekindled their relationship. “In my opinion, the two best things to happen to CNN have been Ted Turner and Jeff Zucker,” Kilar said in a statement.

Zucker joined CNN in 2013, and has become an integral part of the network's identity, providing a sense of stability in the ever changing industry. Under his leadership, the network’s viewer rankings improved, overtaking Fox News and MSNBC and taking the number one spot in prime-time television.

Prior to joining CNN, Zucker had an impressive record in the media industry. He graduated Harvard College in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in American history, then, five years later at 26 years old, Zucker became the executive producer of NBC’s Today show. He stayed at NBC Universal for 25 years, before being named the company’s CEO and president from 2007 to 2011.

Many anchors, reporters and producers, are sad to see Zucker stepping down from his position, “He’s the best boss I ever had, I'm grateful that we get him for another year,” CNN anchor Jake Tapper said in an interview with the New York Times.

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