New CNN boss Jeff Zucker said Thursday that he has reached a deal to help fund a production company for O'Brien, who will be making three documentaries for CNN and host this year's "Black in America" documentary. Zucker is developing a new morning show around Chris Cuomo and Erin Burnett.
O'Brien said the deal will let her do what she wants to do most, confronting difficult topics and telling underreported stories. She'll also have the opportunity to own her work and the production company is able to sell material to outlets other than CNN.
Her new company, Starfish Media Group, will also develop theatrical and scripted television projects.
