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John Catsimatidis and CNN
(New York, NY) – Earlier this week, CNN announced its CEO Chris Licht was stepping down, following a tumultuous one-year tenure at the left-leaning news network. This followed a scathing rebuke of his leadership in The Atlantic, which reported that employees had become unhappy with his decision making.
Earlier this week on “Sid and Friends in the Morning,” WABC owner-operator John Catsimatidis joined host Sid Rosenberg and revealed he’s interested in buying CNN.
Catsimatidis objected to Licht’s termination in particular, arguing it resulted from his decision to greenlight the CNN town hall with former President Donald Trump. The event was a ratings success, but it also reportedly angered CNN employees – as well as a number of prominent Democrats. Catsimatidis says generating ratings is the lifeblood of a network, and should be celebrated.
After Rosenberg suggested he could revive CNN in a manner similar to 77 WABC, Catsimatidis reiterated his intention to make an offer and see what happens. In the past he hasn’t avoided dissenting opinions on WABC, putting former Governor Chris Cuomo on the air, as well as Anthony Weiner, while continuing to employ leading right-leaning voices like Rudy Guiliani and many of the station’s other hosts.