CNN’s Sam Feist Named Chief Executive of C-SPAN

Sam Feist attends 17th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at The American Museum of Natural History in New York City on Dec. 10, 2023. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for CNN)

Sam Feist, a CNN senior vice president and chief of the network’s Washington bureau, will bid farewell to his longtime network and take the helm as the new CEO of C-SPAN, a nonprofit public affairs channel, according to a Tuesday announcement.

Mr. Feist will succeed co-CEOs Susan Swain and Rob Kennedy, who have held the position since 2012.

“I look forward to working with C-SPAN’s extraordinary and dedicated team to expand the network’s reach and meet new audiences where they are,” Mr. Feist said in a C-SPAN statement posted on social media.

Describing C-SPAN as an “American treasure,” he emphasized its pivotal role in safeguarding democracy, underscoring its relevance in contemporary times.

Mr. Feist’s tenure at CNN began in 1989 as an intern, working his way through the London, Atlanta, and Washington bureaus as he rose up the ranks. He was involved in some of CNN’s flagship productions, including as the founding executive producer behind “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” and as a producer for “Crossfire” and “Inside Politics,” the network reported.

For nearly 20 years, Mr. Feist has been a major figure in the network’s Washington bureau, donning various hats, from political director to vice president of Washington programming. He was instrumental in the network’s political programming and election night coverage, culminating in the declaration of winners.

Words of Praise

Mark Thompson, CNN’s chief executive, extolled Mr. Feist as a “CNN institution,” noting his unparalleled connections in Washington’s journalistic circles. Mr. Thompson lamented the loss of Mr. Feist at the network, acknowledging his fervor for CNN and his invaluable counsel.

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Mr. Feist will be the third CEO of C-SPAN since its founding in 1979.

Pat Esser, chairman of C-SPAN, lauded Mr. Feist as a beacon of leadership, respected by both sides of the political spectrum and deeply aligned with C-SPAN’s nonpartisan ethos.

Fellow journalists and newsmakers reacted online.

In a post on X, former CNN anchor Brian Stelter called it “A brilliant pick by @CSPAN—Sam Feist is the best of the best.”

Jason Miller, a senior adviser to former President Donald Trump, also gave his nod of approval.

“Wow! Congrats to one of the most nonpartisan journalists/network execs in Washington, Sam Feist! I’ve worked with Sam on presidential races going back to 2008 & his open-door policy is THE best in the business,” Mr. Miller wrote on social media. “We look forward to working with @CSPAN in the general election!”

C-SPAN, which stands for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, offers three channels focused on the House, Senate, and other public affairs, and broadcasts government proceedings without commentary or interruptions. The network is funded by its cable and satellite affiliates as a public service.

Mr. Feist will leave CNN at the end of June and start at C-SPAN later in the summer.