Bari Weiss Plans for CBS, 60 Minutes and CBS Mornings Ahead of CNN

Key Points:

• Bari Weiss, seven months into her role as CBS News editor-in-chief, is planning major changes to flagship programs like 60 Minutes and CBS Mornings as part of a broader overhaul of the news division.
• The potential $111 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, expected to close by September, could significantly impact Weiss’s plans by combining CBS News with CNN, possibly reshaping leadership and strategy.
• CBS News has already made cuts and is focusing on digital growth, including podcasts and new contributors, while also refining its linear programming, though some initiatives like Tony Dokoupil’s revamped CBS Evening News have had a slow start.
• Internal discussions have occurred about adjusting Weiss’s control over linear programming, but Paramount officially supports her leadership; any new executives brought in are expected to assist rather than replace her authority.
• The merger’s complexities, including union differences and regulatory hurdles, mean integration of CBS News and CNN would take time, and Weiss’s future role in a combined news operation remains uncertain amid ongoing strategic evaluations.