Paramount Bets Digital Provocateur Bari Weiss Can Re-Energize CBS News
Key Takeaways
- Paramount is spending an estimated $150 million to revitalize CBS News by appointing Bari Weiss, a provocative opinion writer, as its new editor in chief.
- The deal includes Paramount acquiring Weiss's commentary site, The Free Press, which will maintain its independent brand and operations.
- The move is considered a high-risk strategy to modernize news delivery amidst declining traditional network viewership.
- Internal staff are reportedly confused and concerned about Weiss's lack of mainstream experience and potential right-leaning editorial shift.
- Weiss stated her goal is to make CBS News the most trusted news organization, while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the transition.
Paramount is committing significant capital, estimated at $150 million, to a high-risk strategy aimed at re-energizing the traditional CBS News division by appointing provocative opinion writer Bari Weiss as its new editor in chief. This maneuver coincides with Paramount's acquisition of Weiss's commentary site, The Free Press, which has a relatively small paid subscriber base compared to CBS News's established viewership. Paramount CEO David Ellison expressed confidence that Weiss's entrepreneurial drive will invigorate the network, aligning with a broader vision to modernize content delivery. However, the decision has generated internal confusion, as Weiss lacks experience managing a large mainstream TV news operation, and some staffers worry her right-leaning perspective could alienate audiences seeking independent newsgathering. The Free Press will operate independently while Weiss works alongside CBS News President Tom Cibrowski to innovate editorial priorities, following other recent controversial management decisions that have impacted staff morale.
