Paramount Taps Controversial Journalist to Lead CBS News Amid Ratings Woes

In a move that has raised eyebrows within the industry, Paramount has appointed Weiss as the new editor-in-chief of CBS News earlier this month. Paramount executives believe Weiss, who previously ran the digital opinion site The Free Press, will bring a "sense of energy and fearlessness" to the network, home to iconic shows like "60 Minutes" and "CBS Evening News."

However, the network's recent struggles with ratings have cast doubt on Weiss' ability to turn things around. A recent episode of "60 Minutes" featuring interviews with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff was one of the lowest-rated broadcasts of the show in the current season, drawing just 6.9 million viewers overall and 946,000 in the key 25-54 demographic. This represents a significant drop from the previous week's nearly 10.2 million viewers and 2.1 million in the demo.

While such ratings fluctuations are not uncommon for "60 Minutes," the network is also grappling with the challenge of boosting viewership for its streaming properties, which have yet to match the success of competitors like NBC News. Weiss' lack of experience in running a large editorial operation or producing TV programs has also raised concerns among some CBS News staffers.

Adding to the uncertainty is the relationship between Weiss' Free Press and CBS News. It remains unclear whether the two entities will operate as a single unit, and whether Free Press will be bound by the same ethical and newsgathering standards as the CBS News division, which is unionized. Weiss' recent hire of Adam Rubenstein as a deputy editor at Free Press has also sparked concerns that he may have some influence over the direction of CBS News' coverage.

Despite these challenges, Weiss has already demonstrated her ability to land high-profile interviews, setting up Norah O'Donnell to moderate a discussion with former Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and Condoleeza Rice, and arranging an interview between Tony Dokoupil and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, these assignments were not given to the current "CBS Evening News" anchors, Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson, whose show has seen a noticeable drop in viewership.

As Weiss settles into her new role, she will have to grapple with a host of old challenges facing CBS News, including the network's long-standing struggle to catch up to its competitors in the morning and evening news races. With the contract of popular "CBS Mornings" co-anchor Gayle King set to expire in 2026, Weiss may also have to navigate a high-profile talent decision that could have significant implications for the network's future.