Paramount Skydance is preparing to name Bari Weiss as editor in chief of CBS News while acquiring her news site, The Free Press, in a deal reportedly worth about $150 million, according to The New York Post.
Weiss, 41, a former New York Times opinion writer who built The Free Press into a prominent contrarian outlet, is expected to be announced for the CBS News as soon as Monday, though the timing could shift, a source said.
In a major shake-up of CBS News’ leadership, Weiss will report directly to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, bypassing CBS News president Tom Cibrowski, who reports to Paramount TV media chair George Cheeks. Sources said the move gives Weiss unusual authority to guide the network’s editorial direction.
Weiss, a prominent critic of antisemitism and the “woke” establishment in mainstream media, is expected to have a central role in shaping CBS News coverage, though it’s unclear whether she will appear on-air.
Ellison first approached Weiss about taking a top role at “60 Minutes” as part of his plan to overhaul the network and introduce more ideologically diverse voices. Their talks drew attention after they were seen together in July at the Allen & Co. summit in Sun Valley, Idaho.
