Mary Hager, 'Face The Nation' Chief, to Exit CBS News
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Mary Hager, a veteran political-news producer and influential figure at CBS News and "Face the Nation," will retire in January, with no clear successor identified yet for her role.
- Hager has been integral to the program since 2011, serving in senior production roles and as CBS News' executive editor for politics since 2022, shaping the show's focus on substantive discussions over partisan theatrics.
- During the pandemic, she shifted "Face the Nation" toward reliable medical information, frequently featuring expert Scott Gottlieb, enhancing the show's credibility and viewer trust.
- Under her leadership, "Face the Nation" currently leads rival Sunday programs in overall viewers and key advertiser demographics, despite some recent viewership declines.
- Hager's retirement coincides with CBS News' transition to new ownership under Skydance and ongoing organizational changes, though her departure is described as planned rather than due to internal conflicts.
