Jim Walton to step Down From CNN Worldwide
CNN Woldwide President Jim Walton’s note to staff that he is going to be stepping down….
After more than 30 years at this company and nearly 10 years as the leader of this great news organization, I have decided to leave my role at CNN on December 31, 2012.
For some time, I’ve been talking with Phil Kent about wanting to make a change, and he supports my decision. I’ve told Phil that I will cooperate with any transition timeline that he and Time Warner want to implement. Phil requested that I work out the year and be available after that if needed, which I’ve agreed to do.
I am proud of what we have accomplished together over these last 10 years – innovative programming, the development of great talent in front of and behind the cameras, expansion in digital and mobile, significant investment and expansion in international coverage, financial success and, most importantly, great and trusted journalism. Thank you for the role you have played in our successes.
CNN needs new thinking. That starts with a new leader who brings a different perspective, different experiences and a new plan, one who will build on our great foundation and will commit to seeing it through. And I’m ready for a change. I have interests to explore and I want to give myself time to do it.
The next few months will be filled with election news and other important events that will require all of our focus to report the news with the quality and expertise the world expects of CNN. I look forward to working alongside each of you, as I have over the past 30-plus years, to do just that.
July 28, 2012 at 6:57 am
From the NYT:
What CNN values most are steady-rising affiliate fees from cable and satellite providers, and low ratings make it hard to justify that steady rise. In May, CNN hit a 20-year prime-time ratings low, partly because of a lack of major breaking news stories. But some people at the company have also partly laid the blame for the low ratings on a leadership vacuum.