CBS News is reportedly on the brink of a significant transformation under the leadership of Bari Weiss, who has been tasked with eliminating perceived left-wing bias and enhancing newsroom efficiency.
This ambitious overhaul comes as a directive from David Ellison, CEO of Paramount SkyDance, the parent company of CBS News, which recently acquired Weiss's venture, The Free Press, for a substantial $150 million, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Ellison's vision for CBS News is to deliver journalism that "reflects reality" and seeks understanding rather than demonization.
Weiss, known for her bold approach, has expressed her intent to "blow things up," signaling a radical shift in the network's operations. Her unconventional methods extend to the hiring process, where she bypasses traditional channels by directly engaging with potential talent, a move that underscores her commitment to revitalizing CBS News. Additionally, she has taken a hands-on role in guest bookings, aiming to boost the network's ratings and implement enduring changes.
The focus of Weiss's reform efforts is the "CBS Evening News," which has consistently lagged behind its competitors, ABC News and NBC News, in viewership. The program typically draws around 4 million viewers, a figure dwarfed by the 7.2 million and 6.6 million viewers of "NBC Nightly News" and "ABC World News Tonight," respectively, according to AdWeek. With John Dickerson set to leave his hosting role in January, Weiss has reportedly considered high-profile figures like CNN's Anderson Cooper and Fox News' Bret Baier as potential replacements. However, Baier has indicated his intention to remain with Fox News until at least 2028, and a source close to Cooper has stated he is not interested in the CBS position.
As reported by Daily Caller, Weiss is also contemplating changes to "CBS Mornings," where host Gayle King's contract, expiring in early 2026, presents an opportunity to explore more cost-effective alternatives to her $15 million salary. The median age of CBS News viewers is 58, according to a Pew Research survey, highlighting the challenge of attracting a younger audience.
Upon assuming her role, Weiss reached out to CBS staff, soliciting their input on how to transform the network into "the most trusted news organization in America and the world." Despite potential backlash, Weiss remains undeterred, stating she would have "thrown in the towel a very, very long time ago" if she were concerned about negative press.
In October, approximately 100 CBS News employees were laid off as part of broader cuts by Paramount, which affected around 1,000 workers. Notably, the CBS News Race and Culture Unit, established in July 2020, was entirely disbanded during these layoffs. This move reflects a broader strategy to streamline operations and align the network's focus with Weiss's vision of unbiased and reality-based journalism.
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