Zucker’s former top deputy Rebecca Kutler becomes latest exec to leave CNN
A veteran CNN executive who is credited with contributing to the success of star talent such as Abby Phillip and Van Jones is the latest senior officer to depart the network, according to a report.
Rebecca Kutler, who held the title of senior vice president and head of programming for the now-defunct streaming service CNN+, is on her way out, according to Variety.
Kutler, who was a top deputy for former network boss Jeff Zucker, was in charge of overseeing CNN’s roster of analysts, contributors, and commentators.
As part of her portfolio, she was executive producer for primetime host Don Lemon as well as political anchor John King.
She was also instrumental in recruiting top-flight names such as Kasie Hunt, Chris Wallace, and Audie Cornish to CNN+.
CNN+ was the highly touted streaming service that was heavily promoted by the mothership in the weeks and months leading to its March 29 launch.
But it was shut down just weeks after CNN came under the corporate umbrella of the newly merged entity Warner Bros. Discovery.
The poor subscriber numbers coupled with Warner Bros. Discovery plans to bundle its streaming platforms that include HBO Max and Discovery meant that CNN+ was expendable.
After CNN+ was shut down, another top executive, Andrew Morse, who oversaw the launch of the short-lived streaming channel, announced that he would resign.
In late May, Meredith Artley, the editor in chief of CNN Digital, also said she was leaving.
Alex MacCallum, the interim chief of CNN’s digital operations, has resigned effective June 30.
https://nypost.com/2022/06/17/zuckers-former-top-deputy-rebecca-kutler-becomes-latest-to-leave-cnn/