AT&T Wants CNN to Boost Digital Efforts: Report

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Taking a more active role in running the properties it acquired when it bought Time Warner for $85 billion, AT&T wants CNN to be more active on digital platforms, according to a report.

John Stankey, the AT&T exec put in charge of WarnerMedia wants CNN to invest more to develop websites and apps that do a better job delivering stories to users based on data about their interests and tastes, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The news follows the departure of two senior Time Warner execs, HBO CEO Richard Plepler and Turner president David Levy. With Levy’s departure, CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker would also oversee Turner Sports, according to the Journal.

AT&T wants its advertising division Xandr to be involved in monetizing the new CNN digital products. Earlier this year, Xandr and Turner, which is CNN’s parent, announced that they would be working together to use data collected from AT&T’s phone, satellite and broadband customers to target advertising. 

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.