Bari Weiss’s Impact: CBS News’ New Era Begins

The media landscape is currently undergoing significant transformations, and one of the most closely watched developments is Bari Weiss’s new leadership role at CBS News. Following Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of her digital opinion platform, The Free Press, Weiss stepped into the newly created position of editor-in-chief of CBS News in October 2025. This move has generated considerable discussion, marking a pivotal moment for the venerable news organization as it navigates challenges ranging from evolving viewership habits to internal structural concerns.

The Free Press Acquisition and Weiss’s New Mandate

Paramount, under the leadership of CEO David Ellison, acquired The Free Press for an estimated $150 million in cash and stock, aiming to infuse CBS News with “energy and fearlessness.” Weiss, known for her contrarian views and critique of mainstream media during her tenure at The New York Times, now reports directly to Ellison. Her mandate is to shape editorial priorities, champion core journalistic values, and lead innovation across CBS News’ television, streaming, digital, audio, social media, and event platforms.

The Free Press, founded by Weiss in 2021 as a newsletter and later expanded into a media company in 2022, had rapidly grown its subscriber base to 1.5 million, including 170,000 paid members. Paramount views this acquisition as a way to combine CBS News’ extensive reach with The Free Press’s distinctive voice and innovative spirit, aiming to redefine trusted journalism.

Early Televised Impact: The “60 Minutes” Segment

One of Weiss’s early initiatives saw a high-profile segment on “60 Minutes,” featuring an interview with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. They discussed their involvement in brokering a peace deal between Israel and Hamas, with the interview airing on October 19, 2025. The segment included discussions about a missile strike and the complexities of the negotiations, with both Kushner and Witkoff rejecting claims of genocide in Gaza despite describing the destruction as resembling a “nuclear bomb had been set off.”

Despite the newsworthiness of the interview, the telecast reportedly garnered one of the lowest ratings for “60 Minutes” in the early weeks of the season, attracting around 6.9 million viewers overall and 946,000 in the crucial 25-54 demographic. This marked a significant drop from the previous week’s viewership of nearly 10.2 million overall and almost 2.1 million in the demographic. While “60 Minutes” ratings can fluctuate due to factors like late-running NFL games, these numbers were below the show’s average from the previous season. The network, however, noted positive online engagement with the interview.

Weiss, who has no prior experience running an editorial operation the size of CBS News or producing television programs, faces the challenge of mastering the “sizzle” of TV news—effectively promoting major interviews and distributing content across various programs to maximize viewership.

Navigating the Union Landscape and Editorial Standards

The integration of The Free Press into CBS News has raised questions and concerns among some CBS News staffers. A primary area of apprehension revolves around the relationship between the non-unionized Free Press and CBS News, where many employees are represented by the Writers Guild of America (WGA).

Concerns have been voiced regarding whether The Free Press will adhere to the same ethical and newsgathering standards as CBS News, and if its personnel will be bound by the same workplace policies and union contracts. The appointment of Adam Rubenstein as a deputy editor at The Free Press has further fueled anticipation among CBS News staffers about his potential influence on the newsgathering direction of the broader organization. Critics, including the nonprofit advocacy group Free Press (which shares a similar name), have highlighted Weiss’s lack of broadcast journalism experience and her outspoken, sometimes controversial, views, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the network’s editorial independence.

A Hunt for New Talent and Program Overhauls

In her initial weeks, Weiss has demonstrated an active approach to securing high-profile interviews, such as arranging a panel discussion with Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice moderated by Norah O’Donnell, and an interview between Tony Dokoupil and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Simultaneously, CBS News executives have initiated outreach to talent agencies, exploring the availability of new anchors and journalists. This suggests a potential overhaul of existing programs and a willingness to consider external candidates, even ahead of internal talent, a practice not uncommon when new management takes over a news division.

The network is also keen on boosting its streaming properties. CBS News 24/7 (formerly CBSN, launched in 2014) is a key part of this strategy, aiming to expand its audience and programming. This includes new formats and programs that integrate national and local newsgathering efforts.

Persistent Challenges and Future Considerations

Despite new leadership, CBS News continues to grapple with long-standing challenges. “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Mornings” have consistently ranked third in their respective time slots, a trend partly attributed to affiliate losses decades ago.

Economically, Paramount Skydance is undergoing significant cost-cutting measures, including plans to eliminate approximately 2,000 jobs in the U.S. and further reductions internationally, following an $8 billion merger. The company aims for $2 billion in annualized cost savings, largely from linear TV operations. This broader economic context adds pressure to Weiss’s role, requiring her to balance editorial vision with critical business objectives.

A significant talent decision on the horizon is the contract of Gayle King, co-anchor of “CBS Mornings,” which is set to expire in May 2026. Reports indicate that renewing King’s contract is “always a question mark,” especially given Paramount’s cost-cutting initiatives. Her future at the network is uncertain, with speculation arising about whether she would be willing to accept a pay cut or if the network would choose to part ways.

Conclusion: A Challenging Path Ahead

Bari Weiss’s initial weeks at CBS News mark a period of intense scrutiny and significant change. Her appointment as editor-in-chief, stemming from the acquisition of The Free Press by Paramount Skydance, represents a bold attempt to redefine CBS News in a fragmented media landscape. While her early efforts to secure high-profile interviews are notable, she faces the complex task of integrating a non-unionized digital platform with a legacy broadcast institution, navigating internal concerns about editorial independence and union status, and revitalizing viewership in a competitive environment. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Weiss can successfully merge her entrepreneurial vision with the demands of traditional broadcast journalism, all while addressing Paramount Skydance’s broader economic goals and the persistent challenges facing CBS News.