Skydance CEO David Ellison is rumored to be in talks with Bari Weiss regarding a potential acquisition of the online news platform Free Press.
This conversation is still in its early stages, as a source close to the matter revealed on Friday.
Ellison and Weiss, who co-founded Free Press in 2021 after their departures from the left-leaning New York Times, recently attended the Allen & Company Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. This event is known for fostering various collaborations among high-profile figures.
Allen & Co. is one of the shareholders of Free Press, alongside a number of well-known investors such as Marc Andreessen, David Sacks, and former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, among others.
During their discussions, Ellison and Weiss explored various potential partnerships, including the possibility of Weiss influencing editorial decisions at CBS News. However, there were no indications of management responsibilities, as noted by sources.
Skydance has not provided any comments regarding these talks, and Weiss was unavailable for immediate commentary.
Reports indicate that Ellison has been discreetly pursuing Weiss and has been seen with her at CBS News for several months. Their first meeting took place in New York City last year, and recent reports suggested that their discussions have garnered attention in media circles.
This negotiation comes as Skydance is waiting on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for an $8 billion merger with CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global.
The FCC, under Chairman Brendan Kerr, has been investigating concerns about liberal bias in the network’s coverage and its diversity initiatives.
Recently, CBS News settled a lawsuit with Trump for $16 million over alleged inaccuracies in a “60 Minutes” interview involving Kamala Harris, just before the election.
A source from CBS informed that bringing Weiss on board is unlikely to shift the current “woke” culture of the network, which is characterized by a resistance to authority.
“Ellison needs to recognize that anchors and executives might think they can make decisions that stick,” the source mentioned, reflecting on the frequent turnover in leadership.
There seems to be a feeling of stagnation; new leaders often attempt bold initiatives but find them disregarded by the staff.
Weiss, who expressed dissatisfaction with the left-leaning environment at the Times, co-founded Free Press with her wife, former Times journalist Nelly Bowles, as well as Susie Weiss, who was a reporter for the New York Post.
This trio aimed to present news from a more moderate perspective, diverging from what they view as a leftward bias.
Weiss has recently highlighted issues like anti-Semitism in her stories and has produced a podcast series called “Witch Trials,” involving notable interviews.
She also brought on Uri Berliner, a veteran NPR journalist known for his critiques of mainstream media, particularly regarding trust issues.
Alongside their reporting, Free Press has organized live events addressing pressing topics like immigration and crime.
As of summer last year, the organization reported having over 50 employees across its East and West Coast offices.
By late December, more than 136,000 subscribers were paying approximately $8 per month, with estimates projecting a total of around 1.5 million subscribers, both free and paid.
