Lineup refresh: Brian Stelter ‘taken off guard’ by CNN ouster

CNN personality Brian Stelter is leaving the network during an ongoing shakeup at the left-leaning cable news outlet.

“CNN will end its Reliable Sources program on Sunday, August 21st,” a network spokesperson said in a statement. “As a result Brian Stelter will leave the company. We appreciate his contributions to the network and wish him well as he embarks on new endeavors.”

Reliable Sources was the longest-running show on CNN prior to Thursday’s announcement. Stelter has anchored the program since 2013.

Stelter, 36, confirmed his exit in a statement and said he would provide more details when the final episode of his show airs on Sunday.

“I’m grateful for my nine years with CNN, proud of what we accomplished on Reliable Sources and so thankful for the viewers who tuned in every week for our examination of the media, truth and the stories that shape our world,” Stelter said.

“It was a rare privilege to lead a weekly show focused on the press at a time when it has never been more consequential. I’ll have more to say on Sunday,” he added.

According to a source close to the situation, CNN decided to end Stelter’s show as part of a refreshed Sunday lineup with new programs, including “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace,” which will begin airing next month. 

Under new boss Chris Licht, who took over after Jeff Zucker resigned in February, CNN is “no longer going to dedicate an hour of TV covering its own industry,” a source close to the network said. 

A source told The Post that Stelter was “taken off guard” by the news, despite persistent rumors that his job was on the line. 

An insider warned Stelter a few months ago about the rumors, but instead of “listening,” the anchor “chewed out” the source, claiming he was “not getting fired” and was part of the “fabric of CNN.”

Meanwhile, Stelter had grown increasingly prickly about stories of his poor ratings. He often would call reporters about the stories, calling them “misleading.”

Internally, Stelter ruffled some feathers with what a source described as his “arrogant attitude.”

CNN’s on-air talent griped that he “overstepped his place” by thinking of himself as a primetime anchor. Some felt that Stelter was protected by ex-CNN President Zucker, who hired the print journalist to become a TV anchor despite zero previous experience on camera – an unheard-of move within the industry.

Stelter was a “quick study,” however, and he “learned how to put on a show,” a source added.

In June, Axios reported that Licht was shifting toward less partisan coverage and closely monitoring anchors to ensure they adhered to the change in tone – with those who were unable to do so potentially facing the ax.

The report identified Stelter and fellow CNN anchor Jim Acosta as among the personalities whose left-leaning viewpoints have drawn the ire of conservatives in recent years.

In May, Licht sent a memo to CNN staffers declaring “too many people have lost trust in the news media.”

“I think we can be a beacon in regaining that trust by being an organization that exemplifies the best characteristics of journalism: fearlessly speaking truth to power, challenging the status quo, questioning ‘group-think,’ and educating viewers and readers with straightforward facts and insightful commentary, while always being respectful of differing viewpoints.” Licht wrote.

“First and foremost, we should, and we will be advocates for the truth,” he added.

Meanwhile, Licht and Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav are leading a sweeping overhaul at CNN that has included cost-cutting measures. Zaslav is aiming to shave $3 billion in expenses at WarnerBros. Discovery after the merger between the two companies closed earlier this year.

The cuts included the abrupt shutdown of the $300 million CNN+ streaming service just one month after its launch. The costly initiative debuted with extensive promotion but failed to draw many subscribers.

Stelter’s exit is just the latest sign of turmoil at CNN. Licht took over the network’s top post after the resignation of Zucker, who was forced out after failing to properly disclose a relationship with a colleague.

Meanwhile, ex-CNN anchor Chris Cuomo was fired late last year following revelations that he helped prepare the defense of his older brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, from sexual harassment allegations. Chris Cuomo and CNN are embroiled in an extensive legal battle over the firing.

CNN will continue covering the media industry via its digital team and Reliable Sources newsletter. Media reporter Oliver Darcy will lead the newsletter beginning next week.