Bari Weiss Has Big Plans for CBS News. And That’s Before CNN Enters the Picture

Bari Weiss’s tenure as editor-in-chief of CBS News has been marked by significant changes. In March, dozens of roles were cut, and more are expected to follow over the coming months. The Free Press founder’s vision for the legacy news division is clear: pivot towards digital initiatives and escape the constraints of linear television.

Weiss has been vocal about the need for CBS News to adapt to changing audience habits and technological advancements. In January, she outlined a strategy to develop a digital strategy that can help CBS escape linear television’s limitations. This includes partnering with contributors from The Free Press and other digital initiatives around podcasts. However, her linear efforts have garnered most of the attention.

The overhaul of 60 Minutes is expected to begin over the course of the summer. Staff anticipate the exit of Sharyn Alfonsi and possibly other correspondents. The show’s longevity and quality have been a hallmark of CBS News’s commitment to excellence, but even Anderson Cooper has acknowledged that evolution is necessary for survival. Similarly, CBS Mornings is also expected to get a thorough overhaul later this summer, with new on-air talent and a refreshed approach.

The implications of these changes extend beyond the CBS News itself. The future of legacy news organizations like CNN and CBS News hangs in the balance due to Paramount’s looming $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery. If the deal goes through, it would bring together two large, legacy news organizations, potentially reshuffling the playbook that Weiss has been developing this year.

A Paramount spokesperson has pushed back on reports of a potential shift in Weiss’s mandate, but this highlights the challenges facing her tenure. As she navigates the complexities of leading a large news organization, delegation to trusted deputies will be necessary for her to achieve her vision. The looming addition of CNN to the Paramount portfolio only adds to the uncertainty surrounding Weiss’s role in a combined company.

The merger between CBS News and CNN is not without precedent; decades ago, the two organizations held discussions about a tie-up, but logistical concerns around merging the unionized CBS newsroom and the non-union CNN newsroom proved too big a hurdle. The complexities involved in a potential merger are significant, and even if a deal closes in the next few months, any sort of combination between CBS News and CNN would take additional time.

Weiss’s role in a combined news operation is already top of mind for many at CNN. Executives at neither news division have insight into what plans are being considered as of now. It is entirely possible that leadership keeps Weiss at CBS, installs someone new at CNN (or even keeps CNN chief Mark Thompson), or explores other options.

As the summer unfolds and the fall broadcast season approaches, it will be interesting to see how Weiss’s vision for CBS News plays out. Will she be able to navigate the challenges of leading a legacy news organization in an era of rapid change? Or will the looming merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery throw her plans into disarray?

The future of legacy news organizations like CNN and CBS News hangs in the balance, and Weiss’s tenure will be a crucial test case for their ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape. With the rise of social media, streaming services, and podcasting, traditional news organizations face significant competition for attention and resources. Weiss’s success or failure at CBS News will have far-reaching implications for the future of legacy news.