CBS News is considering a new round of layoffs that could cut at least 15% of its staff, according to Variety citing three people familiar with the matter, as Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss pushes to reshape the division toward streaming video, differentiated content, and a broader range of viewpoints.
CBS News declined to make executives available for comment.
The discussions remain fluid, with potential implementation as early as March or as late as May if the plans are finalized, sources said. While not yet set, the talks are described as serious.
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| Bari Weiss |
Weiss, who sold her outlet The Free Press to Paramount for $150 million and was installed as editor-in-chief, has emphasized shifting away from “commodity” news available elsewhere. In a recent town hall, she urged staff to focus on “antimemetic,” non-imitative stories that stand out and can't be found anywhere else.
She highlighted new hires, including podcasters specializing in niche areas like politics and medical health, noting that “people are skeptical of institutions, but they trust individuals.”
Among those new contributors is longevity expert Peter Attia, who has faced scrutiny over past email exchanges with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein revealed in recent document releases. Weiss has resisted calls to remove Attia from the roster.