[REVISION HISTORY]

Bari Weiss CBS overhaul faces ratings slump, staff exits

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-08 17:15 UTC → 2026-08-17 21:58 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Bari Weiss’s restructuring of CBS News, launched after Paramount‑Skydance’s acquisition, has intensified. In May 2026, she appointed former New York Times tech columnist Nick Bilton as the fifth executive producer of 60 Minutes, tasking him with a digital-first, multiplatform 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. The shake-up prompted union criticism from the WGA East regarding layoffs and editorial interference. In preparation for the program's 59th season, CBS announced a major staffing refresh. New hires include Ross Douthat, Sebastian Junger, Gianna Toboni, ~~and~~ Trevor Phillips, ~~the latter of whom has drawn scrutiny for past anti-Muslim commentary.~~ and most recently, The New Yorker staff writer Ariel Levy as a contributor. Norah O’Donnell was also promoted to full-time correspondent. While some view these moves as a necessary refresh, others have criticized the appointment of Douthat as a right-wing influence and scrutinized Phillips for past anti-Muslim commentary. Despite these additions, the program continues to face a staff exodus, including the ~~recent~~ resignation of associate producer Madeleine Carlisle, who joined The Atlantic. In early August, Bilton issued an internal memo to staff, urging them to ignore daily rumors that he claimed were “95 percent... fabrications and blatantly incorrect.” Ratings have fallen sharply. CBS Mornings recorded a 13% drop from the previous year, hitting a historic low of 1.59 million viewers in July. The broader corporate context remains complex due to the pending $111 billion merger between Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. ~~Discovery, alongside ongoing scrutiny of Weiss’s editorial direction.~~ Discovery.

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