CNN is currently in a “sorry situation” with looming leadership changes and struggling ratings. A former producer said that CNN faces “the embarrassing launch a suboptimal product.” Watchdogs are now trying to determine if the new regime will be able to restore CNN’s reputation.

CNN is in a period of transition that has been widely reported. WarnerMedia, parent company, will close the long-planned merger between Discovery and CNN within the next few weeks. After being forced to resign, Jeff Zucker, former CNN boss, has been long gone. Chris Licht, his replacement, is not expected to take over the network’s control until at least April 11. David Zaslav, the high-powered Discovery CEO, will be overseeing the new Warner Bros. Once the merger is completed, Discovery will be CNN’s parent company.

Although staff are not sure what changes Licht or Zaslav will make to the service, they are expected to change things in some way. Staffers are likely to abandon far-left opinion programming, which was popular under the Zucker regime, in favor of straight-news. Some feel that changes need to be made at CNN+ streaming service because it is “set up for failure” despite only launching this week.

Fox News Digital was told by a long-time executive in the media industry who worked previously as a producer at CNN that Zucker caused damage to the brand. This is because the former executive pushed the once-nonpartisan network to its left.

It’s an unfortunate state of affairs that CNN, which should have been shining for its coverage of Ukraine, instead finds itself mired in the embarrassing launch a suboptimal product such as CNN+. Despite the once-in a decade war news CNN is supposed to be covering, ratings are poor. The media insider stated that we are now witnessing the permanent and deep damage Jeff Zucker caused to the once-storied CNN brand by making it all about Trump. “Viewers no longer turn to CNN for serious information.”

Licht will attempt to restore CNN’s credibility by returning to straight news. After Zucker allowed CNN to adopt a liberal, partisan approach, the network has struggled to attract viewers since the Biden era.

Tuesday’s ratings were revealed and CNN’s first quarter 2022 ratings were revealed. Anderson Cooper 360, which averaged 1 million viewers per night, was the most-watched program on CNN. 22 among cable news programming.

CNN’s most-watched show, AC 360, finished second to 15 Fox News and six MSNBC shows despite the fact that much of the quarter was filmed in Ukraine. Cooper also reported on the network.

CNN+ was also launched this week without much fanfare. It is already being criticised for relying only on paid subscribers, while the basic cable version has trouble attracting an audience.

Adweek reported that CNN+ was currently in danger because it uses a subscription-only revenue model. Progress Ventures founder Nick MacShane said in an Adweek article. “Licht should change CNN+ to an advertising-supported revenue model, and capitalize on CNN’s strengths by establishing strong relationships with top advertisers.”

Zucker was the original leader of the service, but he is no longer able to promote it. It includes content such as “Jake Tapper’s Book Club,” and “Parental Guidance With Anderson Cooper”. There is also a brand new program by Rex Chapman, a far-left internet provocateur.

Insiders admit that there is a natural anxiety when new leadership is appointed to a company. This is especially true if the former boss, Zucker in this instance, was the one who originally planned the project. Former CNN producer said that Zucker had spent “an outrageous amount of money” on something no one wants.

CNN+’s launch proved that negative headlines can still be created despite Zucker not being present. Vulture made a comparison to the disastrous Quibi, while Bill Goodykoontz mocked it for covering the Will Smith Oscars slap in the same way that the original network did the Gulf War.

The new service became active on its first day. A guest posted a criticism of CNN for moving away from straight news. Dave Walker, the original CNN anchor, joined the inaugural edition hosted by Zucker loyalist Brian Stelter and said he wasn’t happy with the current state.

Walker stated, “I used anchor at CNN, but now I just shout at CNN.” “I believe it was 99 percent news content at the beginning… As cable news evolved, more competition emerged, there was more opinion, especially in the evening hours. That’s what I think is the main difference. Maybe the new ownership will allow for more news coverage.

Walker is not the only one who hopes CNN will return to Ted Turner’s “just-the-facts” approach to news. John Malone, Liberty Media chairman and a member of the board for Discovery Communications Inc., was praised by CNBC last year when he said that CNN should return to nonpartisan journalism.

Malone stated, “I would love to see CNN return to the type of journalism it started with, and actually having journalists which would be refreshing and unique.”

Licht seems to be on the same page and told CNN staffers that he would “double down on what’s working well” and “quickly eliminate what’s not” when Zucker was replaced by him.

Licht isn’t believed to have made any decision yet, and many current executives haven’t even met him personally as he remained hands-off until officially beginning the gig.

T.W., former Speaker of the Oklahoma House. Shannon, a Republican, announced his candidacy to the U.S. Senate last month.

Shannon, a Black woman, was interviewed on CNN’s “New Day” morning show in October 2021. There, left-wing host Brianna Kessel, a White woman, made a mockery of him for his support for Trump. Keiler repeatedly interrupted Shannon and continued to speak over him, insisting that he didn’t condemn White supremacy.

Shannon stated that she has never felt more disrespected or talked down to and was told why I should feel oppressed by America.

Shannon said, “I have never been oppressed” Shannon continued, “A lot African-Americans won’t go on that show and I’m one. I wouldn’t go back on her show. CNN should be embarrassed and ashamed for allowing her hate speech. It is so specific towards one group.

Shannon isn’t sure if CNN can regain its credibility as an impartial news organization based on his experience with the network and the coverage that he’s seen. Shannon does not believe in cancel culture and stated that he does not want anyone to lose their jobs, including Keilar. However, he isn’t confident that the current lineup of the network is capable of putting aside partisanship.

“I am skeptical that CNN can accomplish this,” he said. He said that CNN made its bread and butter by trashing Donald Trump and attacking conservatives. “I don’t think they have gone too far beyond the mark of no returns, I don’t know if CNN can get there, but I think the nation would like it, because I believe they’ve done more than they should to poison the well.”

Puck’s Dylan Byers (an ex-CNN reporter) indicated last week that tensions remain among his former colleagues as they are unsure what new leadership will do.