CBS News to potentially team up with Paramount, with Bari Weiss as a potential newcomer, forming an unexpected partnership.
CBS News is currently in discussions with Bari Weiss, the founder of The Free Press, about a potential acquisition and senior-level position. This move, if successful, could mark a significant shift for the news division, as Weiss is known for her activity in podcasts, spirited opinion columns, and her strong stances on various issues.
Weiss' qualifications for running a large mainstream news organization are questionable due to her focus on analysis and opinions. However, her online outlet, The Free Press, boasts approximately 1.5 million subscribers, although it is unclear how many pay for access to its content.
Meanwhile, concerns about CBS News' commitment to independent and truth-telling journalism have been raised with the hiring of Weiss and the appointment of Kenneth Weinstein as an ombudsman. Weinstein, a former Trump adviser and conservative think-tank leader, is known for his public political agenda, which some find unsettling.
The success of bringing Weiss aboard as an editorial leader at CBS News is far from guaranteed. In TV, such a move would get most programs canceled due to the polarising nature of her opinions. The potential injection of Weiss into CBS News may result in an unorthodox alchemy, causing seasoned journalists to leave and the risk of losing the traditional core audience.
Elsewhere in the media landscape, the market for station acquisitions is currently hot. Nexstar has made a bid to acquire Tegna, which would boost its local linear holdings. Sinclair Inc., on the other hand, is conducting a review of its broadcast assets that could result in a possible sale. Paramount could acquire new stations to improve CBS News' linear distribution.
In a related development, Paramount is canceling the 'Late Show' hosted by Stephen Colbert in May. The decision not to edit newsmaker interviews on 'Face the Nation' after complaints from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is seen as an accommodation without ties to actual editorial standards. If CBS News reporting appears to fit the positions expressed by Weiss, it could present a conflict of interest.
The hiring of Weiss and Weinstein at CBS News, as well as the cancellation of Colbert's show, have sparked debates about the future of journalism at the network. Some argue that these moves signal a shift towards more opinionated and polarising content, while others fear a loss of traditional journalistic standards. Only time will tell how these changes will unfold.
