Summary
Paramount has appointed Bari Weiss, a former New York Times opinion writer, to lead CBS News after acquiring her digital outlet, The Free Press, for $150 million. David Ellison, the son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison, oversaw the takeover and aims to modernize CBS content to provide balanced and fact-based news.
Key Facts
- Paramount has appointed Bari Weiss to lead CBS News.
- The company bought The Free Press for $150 million.
- The deal is part of a wider merger that included a takeover by David Ellison.
- Bari Weiss is known for her views on Israel and criticism of "cancel culture."
- The Free Press has 1.5 million subscribers, with 170,000 paying.
- David Ellison is a film producer and has stated goals to reduce political bias at CBS.
- The U.S. government approved the deal after CBS agreed to certain commitments, including adding an independent ombudsman.
- CBS News shares some news content with the BBC.
