Oliver Darcy, writer and senior reporter for CNN’s ‘Reliable Sources,’ leaves network for One America News Network
OAN Staff James Meyers
12:38 PM – Thursday, August 8, 2024
Oliver Darcy, CNN’s “Reliable Sources” newsletter writer and a senior reporter, quit the struggling cable network on Thursday and announced that he will be launching a rival media newsletter.
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Darcy, who has been known to criticize his own network, had been working on “Reliable Sources” since CNN ousted the newsletter’s former writer, Brian Stelter, in 2022.
Darcy also said that his brand-new subscription-based newsletter “Status” will be a solo endeavor.
“There are no backers. Just me,” he told the New York Post. “The paid readers will empower my independent voice.”
The surprising exit of the CNN employee comes as the network is set to have a massive overhaul under new CNN CEO Mark Thompson, who recently announced at least 100 job cuts.
On Wednesday, Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) reported a $10 billion net loss for the second quarter and missed Wall Street estimates for quarterly results. The stock is down more than 10% on Thursday. CNN has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery since 2022.
Darcy, who joined CNN in 2017, grew as a leading media voice when he took over “Reliable Sources.”
However, in June 2023, he spoke out against his own network under then-CEO Chris Licht, who had sparked an upheaval among staffers over the exec’s perceived poor judgment and lack of leadership.
Additionally, one of Darcy’s most notable reports was when he exposed MSNBC’s decision to take “Morning Joe” off the air right after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life. Allegedly, executives and other higher ups worried that their network’s political commentators, whom all openly despise Trump, would make light of a very serious near death, security-related incident, prompting negative press.
“Oliver has established himself as a tough but scrupulously fair leading voice in media reporting and commentary – never afraid to call it as he sees it,” CNN boss Thompson said.
Meanwhile, according to a representative for CNN, “Reliable Sources” will go on summer break, but will return in the fall with a new writer. Darcy’s first issue of “Status” is set to appear on Monday with a launch sponsor, which Darcy declined to name.
Users can have free access to basic information and emails are sent out on Sundays through Thursdays. Those who desire more in-depth access and analysis must pay either $149 for the “all access” subscription or $595 for the “founder’s club” access.
“We are trying to connect all these dots on a nightly basis,” Darcy said.
“My pitch to readers is this is a 100% independent voice,” he added. “I don’t think there’s one product out there that does exactly what we do.”
Furthermore, the new newsletter will have an ad sales partnership with The Ankler, a media startup that covers Hollywood, entertainment, and more. It was founded by Janice Min, who once ran outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and US Weekly.
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