Possible Changes at CNN with Bari Weiss’ Move
Reports suggest that Bari Weiss, currently the chief of CBS News, might take on the role of editorial director at CNN if the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance gets the green light.
Paramount’s executives have begun preliminary talks with various candidates to manage business operations alongside Weiss, who would continue as executive editor.
Several notable names are in consideration, including Mark Thompson, the current CEO of CNN. Other candidates like Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, and former NBC News chief Noah Oppenheim have also been mentioned.
Additionally, Ben Sherwood, the current CEO of Daily Beast, and former CBS News president David Rose are reportedly being considered for the role.
Should the merger go through, Weiss would be expected to take on editorial responsibilities at CNN. It’s interesting, isn’t it? A significant shift in power dynamics at such a major network.
A spokesperson for CNN chose not to comment on the situation. The Post has also reached out to Oppenheim, Sherwood, and NBC News for their take.
Notably, all four candidates have considerable experience managing large news organizations, contrasting with Weiss, who comes from print and digital journalism backgrounds rather than television management.
At present, Tom Cibrowski serves as the president of CBS News, reporting directly to Paramount Television Chief George Cheeks, while Weiss reports to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison.
Recently, there were reports that Paramount executives are contemplating reducing Weiss’ role to bring in more seasoned talent for the business side of both CBS News and CNN.
A Paramount spokesperson denied such claims, suggesting a desire to keep Weiss focused on expanding the digital division.
However, according to Axios, Ellison has expressed satisfaction with Weiss’ work. “Paramount brass loves Bari Weiss,” a source shared. It seems she has the complete trust of Ellison, who believes she’s done well as editor-in-chief.
Furthermore, Weiss has been involved in scouting potential business partners, indicating an active role in the company’s future.
The potential for Weiss to oversee both CBS News and CNN editorial operations represents a significant increase in her influence, particularly given that she became CBS News editor-in-chief less than a year ago.
Weiss, 42, stepped into her role after Skydance merged with Paramount last year. Since taking charge, she has initiated several impactful changes, especially at the long-running show 60 Minutes.
Recently, she dismissed executive producer Tanya Simon and two correspondents, Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, replacing Simon with Nick Bilton, a tech reporter known for his work with Vanity Fair and the New York Times.
Following this shake-up, veteran correspondent Scott Pelley was also let go after a confrontation with Bilton over the firings. The remaining correspondents, including Leslie Stahl, John Wertheim, and Bill Whitaker, expressed their intention to stay, albeit with some criticism toward management’s actions.
The situation remains fluid. Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is yet to be finalized but is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2026, depending on regulatory approvals and any legal challenges that may arise.
Although Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders have approved the deal, it remains under investigation by antitrust regulators, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who stated his office is reviewing the acquisition.
