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scuczu OP t1_iu4jn7l wrote

Chris Licht, the chairman of CNN, said on Friday that the network would stop buying documentary films and original TV series as part of its cost-cutting efforts.

"This was a very difficult decision to make," he wrote in an email to employees.

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The_Lone_Apple t1_iu4m5aj wrote

Cost cutting should include the layers of his pals who are VPs and his own salary as well.

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davwad2 t1_iu4wfsq wrote

CEOs treat this concept like 2014 Thanos and Wanda/Scarlet Witch: "I don't know who you are."

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MrPotatoButt t1_iua8qcx wrote

Chris Licht has no pals at CNN; he's a hired commando looking to eliminate as many management positions as he can manage without fatally crippling the network's news collection.

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lord_pizzabird t1_iu4ug0j wrote

An interesting move, given that CNN has actually had some success with original series and films. Talking about Bourdain and their retrospective shows narrated by Tom Hanks, it seemed for a while like this was the only draw the network even had remaining.

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SweatyNomad t1_iu4zy29 wrote

Not disagreeing, but think some or most of those high end shows would have found a home somewhere.. a bunch of the shows quoted aired on other channels globally, like Stanley Tucci on the BBC . Not a big jump to assume they'd become the lead broadcast partner.

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lord_pizzabird t1_iu56tr7 wrote

Boardain's show actually went on to HBO Max syndication heaven. So, you're probably right.

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Dudecity t1_iu6iybg wrote

Did they put the whole series on HBO Max? I know the first season was on HBO Max.

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TacticalTuchel t1_iu736qj wrote

It was on there, then moved to CNN+ with he first season remaining on HBO max, and then never moved back once CNN+ crashed.

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kedelbro t1_iu73egf wrote

That’s what makes it interesting though. These shows WILL be made no matter what. Zac Effron got a second season of a travel show, for crying out loud (and I actually enjoy it for what it is!)… so why is CNN choosing to allow these shows to go elsewhere?

Do they really think enough of the cable news market share is up for grabs that to make that shift worthwhile?

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bilyl t1_iu743ex wrote

They’re not. If you read the article it says they’re discussing making an in house division rather than 3rd party commissions.

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kedelbro t1_iu74zd5 wrote

So they will make their own docuseries. Interesting.

Will likely be a tough growth period unless they can lure someone away from ZeroPointZero

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Darmok47 t1_iubzjir wrote

I remember when Parts Unknown started and Bourdain left The Travel Channel to to go to CNN, he mentioned that the CNN leadership at the time was investing in original series because there's only so much news happening at any given time, and only so much people will watch.

I guess new management disagrees.

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MrPotatoButt t1_iua8bda wrote

TV networks have had some success with scripted shows, but that doesn't mean they can match the economics of reality TV.

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Laserblaster t1_iu4v13g wrote

I'm pretty sure the Italy series has been the most successful program on CNN

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bunga_bunga_bunga t1_iuamoox wrote

This is incorrect. As in that's what the article says but the source is incorrect. They are actually axing originals altogether. Existing content will be available/licensed but there will be no new content. Period. It is not moving in house.

The Discovery folks are really bringing Warner media down to their level of quality. Or this is some trojan horse shit a la Stephen Elop.

I'm not really sure advertisers are still looking to reach boomers still buying cable or middle america that wants to watch Chip and Joanna convert a trailer into mcshiplapfarmhouse or emmy award winning Dr. Pimple Popper. So I'm leaning towards the stripping for parts theory.

Either ways, WBD is way overvalued given the trajectory. Yes even with the 50% drop since last year.

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Bob_Tu t1_iu4zca7 wrote

Hell yeah more center left

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