CBS' New Wealthy Owner Aims to Ditch Elite News Tone

A New Era for CBS News Under New Leadership

The recent changes at CBS News have sparked significant discussion, especially following the company's settlement with former President Donald Trump over a controversial 60 Minutes interview. This development marks a turning point as the new owner of Paramount, Skydance CEO David Ellison, outlines his vision for reshaping the network in alignment with what he perceives as more traditional journalistic values.

Ellison, the son of Larry Ellison, the second-richest person in the world, has expressed concerns about the current state of CBS News. According to a source close to him, he views the network as having become “extreme, elitist, and performative.” His goal is to steer the company back towards a “performance-based culture” reminiscent of the golden era of journalism, featuring icons like Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite.

“Not quotas. Not ideology. Just objective journalism,” the source emphasized. This approach aims to focus on factual reporting without the influence of political agendas or diversity initiatives. However, neither Paramount nor Skydance has publicly commented on these developments.

The shift comes amid the completion of the merger between Skydance and Paramount, which received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last week. This follows a $16 million settlement with Trump over his $20 billion lawsuit regarding the 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. The merger is expected to finalize on August 7.

As part of the FCC approval, Ellison made a promise to the agency’s chairman, Brendan Carr, a known supporter of Trump, to hire an ombudsman to address bias within the newsroom and to eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. This move has raised questions about the direction of CBS News under new leadership.

In addition to these changes, there are reports that Ellison is considering hiring Bari Weiss, a well-known anti-woke journalist, and acquiring her publication, The Free Press. A source close to Ellison mentioned that if Weiss were to join, she would be a key voice but not the sole one in the newsroom.

This strategy is seen as part of a broader effort to reduce the influence of outspoken reporters and entertainers. Earlier this month, CBS announced the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, just days after Colbert compared the Paramount settlement to a “big fat bribe.” CBS attributed the decision to financial reasons, citing losses of approximately $40 million to $50 million annually. However, sources close to Ellison stated that the timing was “stupid” and that the decision was not influenced by him.

“We need to get back to fundamentals. That’s what David and his team believe,” the source added, emphasizing the importance of brand and journalism over individual personalities.

Trump and Carr have both praised Ellison’s approach to CBS and Paramount. Trump claimed on Truth Social that the company has promised an additional $20 million in advertising or public service announcements. Carr, meanwhile, commended the decision to hire an ombudsman ahead of the FCC’s approval, stating that it addresses issues he believes require significant change.

However, the proposed $20 million side deal has led to concerns that viewers may be exposed to MAGA “propaganda.” Former CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota expressed her worries on her Clarity podcast, stating, “You can call it PR or you can call propaganda. Either. Choose. Doesn’t matter to me. And if you’re gonna have to watch MAGA ads, that affects all of us.”

These developments highlight the ongoing debate about the future of journalism and the influence of political ideologies on media outlets. As CBS News navigates this new chapter, the balance between objectivity and ideological alignment remains a critical issue for the network and its audience.