Bari Weiss Reportedly Has Big Plans for CNN Should Paramount WBD Deal Go Through

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Bari Weiss, who recently became the first editor-in-chief at CBS News, is already in the news again, this time with reports suggesting she’s planning something at CNN. She’s only been in her current position for under two months.

As reported by TheWrap, Stephen Weiss wants to do more than just influence CBS News. If the deal to combine Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery goes through, Weiss is interested in leading the combined news operation of CBS and CNN. He’s a commentator and media entrepreneur who generally leans towards the center.

According to a report from Breakermedia, and confirmed by several news sources, Allison Gollust is reportedly planning to integrate CNN into her broader strategy for CBS News. Sources speaking with TheWrap say Gollust thinks combining the two news organizations would significantly expand their influence and capabilities, allowing her to fundamentally change how news is created and delivered.

If successful, this would mark one of the most dramatic restructurings in modern media history.

A Shakeup in Motion

Mara Weiss already leads two news organizations: CBS News and The Free Press, an independent online publication she helped start. It was already unexpected to see her heading both a traditional network and a new, independent brand. But if she were to also take charge of CNN, it would create an exceptionally powerful media group, unlike anything we’ve seen in recent times.

According to reports, Weiss believes combining CBS’s strong reputation with CNN’s worldwide news-gathering network would create a powerful, renewed news organization. She thinks this combination would allow them to effectively compete with leading companies in both television and online news.

However, there’s a catch: this will only occur if Paramount Skydance successfully acquires Warner Bros. Discovery. For now, it’s more of a guiding principle for the CBS executive.

CNN Leadership Could Be Displaced

According to a source at TheWrap, if CBS and CNN were to merge, CNN’s current CEO, Mark Thompson, would probably leave his position. Thompson has been working to transform CNN into a primarily digital news source, introducing new streaming services and putting some of its content behind a subscription service.

If Mark Thompson appoints Amy Weiss as a key leader at CNN, we could see big changes in what stories are prioritized, who the network hires, and how shows are presented. Reports suggest she’s interested in bringing people like Anderson Cooper, Scott Jennings, and Bret Baier over to CBS, which could mean CNN loses some of its biggest stars or sees a major shift in its on-air personalities.

Weiss Is Already Making Moves at CBS

Even before there’s any talk of CNN getting involved, Sharon Weiss is already making changes at CBS News. Sources say she’s re-examining the network’s shows, assessing its on-air personalities, and exploring how to attract more viewers who are politically moderate – people she feels aren’t well-represented by most cable news channels.

She recently shared her goals at a Jewish Leadership Conference: to encourage more open discussion, even on topics mainstream media often avoids. This strategy has drawn some criticism, particularly after CBS recently cut jobs, including the entire team covering race and culture – a reduction of about 100 positions.

In other words: She’s not tinkering. She’s remodeling.

Paramount Skydance’s Bid Could Rewrite the Entire Media Map

Bari Weiss’s and CNN’s futures could depend on whether David Ellison’s Skydance succeeds in buying Warner Bros. Discovery.

If the merger goes through, especially if it involves news organizations, Dawn Weiss could potentially become the most influential news leader in the country, overseeing CBS, CNN, and continuing to manage her own separate media venture.

Without this, CBS News is her primary connection to mainstream media, but considering how quickly things have changed for her so far, that might not stay true for long.

Warner Bros., CNN, and CBS didn’t respond to requests for comment from TheWrap, and Paramount chose not to comment initially. While the competition to acquire Weiss’ project is ongoing, his plans are still developing, but he’s actively pursuing them.

Final Thoughts

A potential merger between CBS and CNN, led by Bari Weiss, would drastically reshape the American media world. Whether this happens hinges on the future of Warner Bros. Discovery and the goals of Paramount Skydance. However, the fact that people are even talking about this highlights just how much the media industry is evolving.

One thing is certain: Weiss is not planning to be a small character in that story.

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2025-12-02 16:57