Bari Weiss’ future is uncertain as CBS News’ parent company, Paramount Skydance, prepares to complete its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery next week, according to various sources.
David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, announced on Friday that the new media conglomerate will be named Skydance. He is currently considering potential adjustments to Weiss’ responsibilities as CBS News editor-in-chief once the merger is finalized. This may involve shifting her focus more towards editorial issues and away from corporate management tasks she took on last year, such as making decisions on hiring and firing top personnel.
At the same time, there are whispers that Weiss might contribute to CNN as part of the merger, even as CNN CEO Mark Thompson is negotiating to extend his contract for another year with Ellison.
The situation surrounding Weiss remains fluid. Nothing appears set in stone, and a definitive decision is not expected until the merger settles down, particularly after overcoming significant obstacles, like a recent lawsuit from state attorneys general.
Ellison has been quick to assemble his team. Recently, he appointed former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz as co-CEO and is anticipated to select HBO head Casey Bloys to manage streaming services like HBO Max and Paramount+.
There’s speculation that Weiss might end up reporting to George Cheeks, who currently leads TV media at Paramount. If that happens, it would change the current setup where Weiss reports directly to Ellison, while CBS News President Tom Cibrowski reports to Cheeks. However, some insiders believe this shift is unlikely.
Up to this point, the uneven reporting structure has given Weiss greater influence over key decisions, but it’s also fueled some rivalry between her and Cibrowski, as previously noted.
For Ellison, the situation is particularly sensitive. He chose Weiss to help reposition the struggling network into a more balanced and digitally focused entity. Although he and his father, Larry Ellison, a billionaire and Oracle co-founder who backed the merger financially, still regard Weiss highly, they are reconsidering if the editor-in-chief title is the best fit for her skills. Sources indicate they see her as talented, possessing good news judgment and valuable connections, but believe her ability to lead a large organization might fall short.
“She has brought some great ideas and energy, but leadership at this scale has been a challenge for her,” a source remarked.
Critics within the organization argue that Weiss has mishandled numerous situations, leading to repercussions that have hurt the CBS News reputation and caused embarrassment for Ellison.
Her ambitions to revamp “60 Minutes,” the nation’s longest-running news magazine, involved letting go of senior staff, which generated a wave of negative press. Similarly, her chaotic efforts to relaunch “CBS Evening News” with anchor Tony Dokoupil have faced difficulties in ratings, although signs of improvement are emerging.
“Management is not where she shines,” a source added.
Despite the uncertainty about her position, Weiss still has loyal supporters within the network. One individual who has collaborated with her previously praised her as a “once-in-a-generation talent” and a significant presence.
While it’s unclear what Weiss’ future holds at CBS News, it’s been made clear that she won’t be stepping into any managerial role at CNN. Ellison had once contemplated appointing her to lead CNN alongside CBS but has since recognized that her current responsibilities might be more than she can manage.
Some insiders speculate that part of Weiss’ new focus might be a revitalization of her own platform, “The Free Press,” which Ellison purchased for $150 million last year when she was made CBS News editor-in-chief.
