Bari Weiss' Role at CBS News Uncertain Amidst Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger
Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison is reportedly considering changes to Weiss' position as editor-in-chief.
Bari Weiss' tenure as CBS News editor-in-chief is facing uncertainty as Paramount Skydance prepares to finalize its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery next week. David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, is evaluating potential adjustments to Weiss' role once the deal is complete, according to sources familiar with the situation.
These potential changes could involve narrowing Weiss' responsibilities to focus primarily on editorial matters, shifting away from the managerial duties, including talent hiring and firing, that were assigned to her last year. Insiders suggest Weiss might also contribute editorially to CNN, which Paramount is acquiring as part of the merger, even as CNN CEO Mark Thompson is reportedly in discussions with Ellison to extend his contract.
Sources indicate that no definitive decisions have been made regarding Weiss' future, with a final determination expected after the merger's conclusion. The merger has navigated significant obstacles, including a lawsuit from state attorneys general last month.
Ellison has been actively assembling his leadership team. This week, he appointed former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO and is expected to name HBO executive Casey Bloys as the head of streaming, overseeing both HBO Max and Paramount+. There has been speculation that Weiss could report to George Cheeks, currently chair of TV media at Paramount, a move that would alter the current structure where Weiss reports directly to Ellison. However, other sources consider this arrangement unlikely.
The current setup has positioned Weiss with significant influence on major decisions, but it has also led to reported power struggles with CBS News President Tom Cibrowski. Ellison, who personally selected Weiss to reform the network with a focus on ideological balance and digital presence, and his father, Larry Ellison, reportedly still hold Weiss in high regard, viewing her as talented with strong news judgment and connections.
However, concerns have been raised about Weiss' capacity for large-scale organizational leadership. "She has gotten some great bookings and brought a lot of energy and ideas to the table, but she has failed to show big org leadership capability or interest or stamina," a person with knowledge of the matter told The Post. The source added that Weiss has "bungled and mishandled a lot of situations and caused innumerable unforced errors that have been damaging to the CBS News brand and embarrassing to [David] Ellison."
Weiss' initiatives at CBS News have included changes to "60 Minutes," which involved the dismissal of senior staff and generated negative press. She also oversaw a relaunch of "CBS Evening News" with anchor Tony Dokoupil, whose ratings have shown signs of improvement.
Despite these challenges, Weiss retains supporters within the network. One source described her as a "once-in-a-generation talent" and a "force." Paramount has clarified that Weiss will not be taking on a managerial role at CNN, despite initial considerations by David Ellison for her to lead the network. It has become apparent to Ellison that her current responsibilities exceed her capabilities.
Some insiders speculate that Weiss's role may shift to include a greater focus on her own platform, "The Free Press," which Ellison's company acquired for $150 million last year when she was named editor-in-chief of CBS News.