Paramount has announced the appointment of Bari Weiss, a prominent former opinion writer for The New York Times, as the new head of CBS News. This move comes as part of a significant reshaping of the well-established news organization by its new owners. In a related development, Paramount is also acquiring The Free Press, the digital publication founded by Weiss after her departure from The New York Times. The deal, reportedly valued at $150 million, marks a strategic expansion for Paramount.
Weiss, who has previously voiced criticism regarding the perceived partisanship in broadcast media, expressed enthusiasm about her new role at CBS. She aims to implement her vision for the news division under the leadership of David Ellison, who took over Paramount earlier this year. The acquisition is part of a broader merger with Paramount, indicating a significant shift in the media landscape.
The transaction has garnered attention, particularly due to David Ellison’s familial ties to tech billionaire and prominent political figure Larry Ellison. Weiss, who began her journalism career with Jewish news outlets, is recognized for her strong pro-Israel stance and her critiques of “cancel culture.” Since its inception as a newsletter in 2021, The Free Press has seen substantial growth, attracting 1.5 million subscribers, with over 170,000 opting for paid subscriptions. The publication has gained notice for its distinctive reporting, including a critical piece on NPR by former editor Uri Berliner and an investigation into the use of images illustrating famine in Gaza, which highlighted instances where subjects suffered from other health conditions.
Notable contributors to The Free Press include historian Niall Ferguson and economist Tyler Cowen. David Ellison stated that Weiss’s appointment as editor-in-chief is a key component of a larger strategy to modernize Paramount’s content offerings and re-establish CBS as the “most-trusted name in news.” He emphasized a belief that a significant portion of the American public desires news that is balanced and fact-based, and that CBS aims to be their preferred source.
While the financial terms of the acquisition have not been publicly disclosed, Paramount has not commented on reports suggesting a $150 million valuation involving stock and cash. David Ellison, known for his successful career as a Hollywood film producer behind blockbusters like “Top Gun Maverick,” “True Grit,” and “World War Z,” has articulated a vision for coverage that minimizes political bias to appeal to a broader audience.
Ellison’s acquisition of Paramount received approval from the Trump administration this summer, following a settlement of $16 million concerning a lawsuit related to a “60 Minutes” interview. To secure regulatory approval, Ellison committed to introducing an independent ombudsman at CBS to address bias complaints and ensure diverse viewpoints in programming. He also pledged that the long-standing political program “Face the Nation” would cease airing edited interviews.
CBS News maintains a partnership agreement with the BBC, facilitating the sharing of news content, including video. The BBC emphasizes its editorial independence from CBS. In an internal announcement, Weiss expressed confidence in Paramount’s leadership, stating, “They are doubling down because they believe in news. Because they have courage. Because they love this country. And because they understand, as we do, that America cannot thrive without common facts, common truths, and a common reality.”