CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss addressed the network’s ratings performance during her tenure in remarks at an industry conference on Wednesday, stating that she does not prioritize precise viewership figures for individual 60 Minutes segments.
Speaking at an event organized by the tech publication The Information, which did not offer press credentials, Weiss said, “I could never build anything if I were focused on the precise number of people that happen to tune in to the second feature on 60 Minutes on a given Sunday.” She described the program as doing “tremendously well” overall.
Ratings for the show are influenced by whether it follows a highly watched NFL game. The Oct. 4 episode averaged more than 10 million viewers.
Weiss was also asked about parent company Skydance’s recent merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company. Although she had been mentioned in speculation about a potential role at CNN, Skydance chief executive David Ellison retained CNN CEO Mark Thompson in place for the time being. When asked if she might be interested in running CNN, Weiss said, “I want to focus on doing CBS News, trust me. This is a big enough challenge.”
She said she is not focused on criticism of her tenure at CBS News, which has come from inside and outside the organization. Her stated approach has been to “put the blinders on, tune out the noise and focus,” adding, “I’m not doing anything I’m doing for popularity’s sake.”
Weiss was also asked about parent company Skydance’s recent merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company. Although she had been mentioned in speculation about a potential role at CNN, Skydance chief executive David Ellison retained CNN CEO Mark Thompson in place for the time being. When asked if she might be interested in running CNN, Weiss said, “I want to focus on doing CBS News, trust me. This is a big enough challenge.”
She said she is not focused on criticism of her tenure at CBS News, which has come from inside and outside the organization. Her stated approach has been to “put the blinders on, tune out the noise and focus,” adding, “I’m not doing anything I’m doing for popularity’s sake.”