[REVISION HISTORY]

Bari Weiss CBS overhaul faces ratings volatility

Updated 10 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-17 00:15 UTC → 2026-10-06 22:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Bari Weiss CBS overhaul faces ratings ~~slump, staff exits~~ volatility

Bari Weiss’s restructuring of CBS News, launched after the Paramount‑Skydance acquisition, has intensified. In May 2026, she appointed former New York Times columnist Nick Bilton as the fifth executive producer of 60 Minutes, tasking him with a digital-first overhaul. Bilton’s arrival triggered a wave of dismissals, including veteran correspondents Scott Pelley, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega, and senior producer Tanya Simon. Pelley was terminated following a heated meeting in which he accused Weiss and Bilton of “murdering” the program; he later signed with Creative Artists Agency. As 60 Minutes enters its 59th season, the network has introduced a new talent lineup including Ross Douthat, Sebastian Junger, Gianna Toboni, Trevor Phillips, Norah O’Donnell, and Ariel Levy. ~~However, the~~ The season 59 began with a viewership slump; the premiere recorded its lowest viewership since at least 2000, drawing approximately 7.9 million ~~viewers—a roughly 21%~~ viewers. This decline continued into the second week, with the second episode drawing roughly 6.5 million viewers, an 18 percent drop from the ~~previous season’s premiere. The decline was even more pronounced~~ premiere and a 30 percent decrease in the 25-to-54 ~~demographic, which~~ demographic. However, the third episode of the fall season saw a ~~33% year-over-year drop. While traditional broadcast numbers fell, CBS reported that social media video views tripled compared~~ significant rebound, drawing 10.2 million viewers—the program’s largest audience since March 2024. This boost, which included 2 million viewers in the 25-54 demographic, was attributed in part to an NFL lead-in featuring the ~~last season's debut.~~ Chiefs-Raiders game. Internal friction persists regarding Weiss’s leadership and her transition from print to broadcast. A reported “Cold War” exists between Weiss and CBS News President Tom Cibrowski due to conflicting editorial visions, with Weiss seeking a return to hard news while Cibrowski favors softer coverage. Additionally, former CBS News President Wendy McMahon has expressed support for colleagues who reported experiencing firsthand editorial interference. The premiere, which included an interview with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has faced scrutiny regarding editorial independence and potential political bias.

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