11:36 a.m. | Updated CNN made official Thursday morning its decision to install Jeff Zucker, the former chief executive of NBC, as the new president of CNN Worldwide.
The announcement culminated a monthslong search to find a replacement for Jim Walton, who had led CNN to record profits even as ratings for its American network, CNN/U.S., hit record lows. The network announced in July that Mr. Walton would step down at the end of the year.
What’s Next?
Many Paths for CNN
Jeff Zucker no doubt is getting much advice on how to revitalize the network: maybe add more celebrities or double-down on news or documentaries.
Mr. Zucker will be expected to revive the American network to competitive standing against its rivals, Fox News and MSNBC, even as it maintains its position as a nonpartisan news network opposing those speaking from the right (Fox) and left (MSNBC). CNN said that Mr. Zucker would start his new assignment in January.
He will arrive at CNN carrying the baggage of the collapse of NBC’s own broadcast network, which descended from dominance in prime time to last-place status under Mr. Zucker, even as the company’s cable networks, including MSNBC, thrived under him.
But Mr. Zucker also brings a reputation for leadership in news, which he forged in two tenures leading NBC’s “Today” show to dominance in morning ratings and profits.
Time Warner’s chief executive, Jeffrey L. Bewkes, and his deputy, Phil Kent, the head of Turner Broadcasting, were known to have sought candidates with the right combination of management skills, programming expertise and journalistic credibility to oversee CNN’s many channels and Web sites. There was a short list, and Mr. Zucker was on it from the beginning.
Walter Isaacson, who ran CNN from 2001 to 2003, preceding Mr. Walton, said Mr. Zucker was a smart choice because “CNN has great journalists, but what it has needed is an imaginative programmer who knows how to build good shows.”
Phil Griffin, the president of MSNBC, said that if anyone could “bring CNN back,” Mr. Zucker could. On Thursday he sounded excited about the competition to come. Referring to Roger Ailes, the Fox News chairman, Mr. Griffin said: “Ailes on one side, Zucker on the other: Game on.”
This year Mr. Zucker joined with his longtime friend Katie Couric to produce “Katie,” the syndicated talk show that started in September. There was no immediate word about who would take over the talk show. But Ms. Couric said in a statement on Thursday: “I’m very excited that Jeff has such a wonderful opportunity at CNN and equally excited for CNN. I’m also grateful that Jeff has been so instrumental in getting our show off to such a strong start and look forward to working with the fantastic staff we’ve assembled and building on the strong foundation we’ve created.”
At CNN Mr. Zucker will report to Mr. Kent, who said in a statement: “Jeff’s experience as a news executive is unmatched for its breadth and success. He built and sustained the No. 1 brand in morning news, and under his watch NBC’s signature news programming set a standard for quality and professionalism. As a programmer, a brand-builder and a leader, he will bring energy and new thinking to CNN. I couldn’t be happier to welcome him or more excited about what he’ll accomplish here.”
Mr. Zucker said in a news release that he was excited to return to work as a journalist, specifically “to daily news gathering and compelling storytelling in a place that values those above all else.”
Notably, Mr. Zucker will be based at CNN’s bureau in New York. Mr. Walton was based in Atlanta, where CNN has been headquartered since its inception in 1980. The change may signal a shift in power within the 4,000-employee organization.
Media Decoder Blog: CNN Makes It Official: Zucker to Be New President
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