It had started
The subscription-based service will be shut down at the end of April. Executives said some CNN+ programming and employees will be absorbed into the television network and website but there will be layoffs. The head of CNN+,
In a memo to employees on Thursday, incoming
In a Thursday town hall, executives also said that the service's inability to show live breaking news was a crucial failing. Because of contracts with cable and satellite companies, CNN+ could not stream the
“It's a little bit like The New York Times subscription without The New York Times,” said
Perrette said Discovery had learned from trying to launch its own news service in
“Those are the facts,” Perrette said. “We've learned from painful history, financially costly history.”
If the company is going to go in a different direction than CNN+, “we can't let it go on one second more than it needs to,” he said.
Under
In the meeting, a
The executives said accountability for the rapid failure lies squarely with previous management.
“Would we have preferred to have this discussion six months ago, nine months ago?” Perrette said. “Couldn’t do it.”
The CNN+ service's flagship was arguably Wallace's daily interview show, for which he left his previous job as “Fox News Sunday” host. Wallace did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
It also featured programming from food-media star Roman, former NPR host
Warner Bros. Discovery is led by Discovery CEO
Licht said in his memo that the “incredibly difficult” decision to shutter CNN+ is the right one for the long-term success of
On the television network, Licht is expected to increase
He told staff members that the decision was no reflection on the service that they had built.
Licht acknowledged in the staff meeting that the experience with CNN+, at least initially, will have repercussions with personnel and those who might want to come there.
“We have to own the erosion of trust and build it back,” he said.
Arbel reported from
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