CNN anchor Anderson Cooper has privately expressed his opposition to potentially working under Bari Weiss, the editor-in-chief of CBS News, should the merger between their parent companies, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount, be finalized. Cooper, a CNN anchor since 2001, is reported to have told colleagues he does not wish to be supervised by Weiss.
The potential merger is advancing, with the Department of Justice issuing a statement on June 12 indicating it would not challenge the deal, citing no harm to U.S. consumers. The transaction is expected to close in September, pending approval from the European Commission.
Weiss, who was hired by Paramount CEO David Ellison in October, has implemented significant changes at CBS News. These include a rework of the "CBS Evening News" and staff changes at "60 Minutes." The report from The New York Times suggests that CNN staffers are concerned about facing similar overhauls.
Cooper recently departed his role at CBS's "60 Minutes" after nearly two decades, stating he wished to spend more time with his children. However, some reports suggest Weiss's influence at CBS News played a role in his decision.
Paramount's impending takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery assets is expected to lead to staff reductions at both CBS News and CNN. Despite the anticipated changes, CNN reached a separate agreement in December to retain Cooper. During his final "60 Minutes" broadcast, Cooper emphasized the importance of the show maintaining its independence while acknowledging the possibility of evolution.
David Ellison, who appointed Weiss, has outlined a vision for Paramount's primary assets to appeal to a more centrist audience. No specific plans for CNN have been announced by Ellison yet.