Paramount Skydance is exploring candidates to lead business operations for its news division, a role that would operate alongside CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, according to Axios, which cited two people familiar with the matter. The prospective hire would be responsible for business oversight while Weiss would retain editorial authority.
Under the terms envisioned if Paramount completes its planned purchase of Warner Bros Discovery, Weiss would be positioned to manage editorial content across both CBS News and CNN, with her counterpart accountable for commercial and operational functions across the two organizations, Axios reported.
Paramount did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the Axios report.
The personnel search comes amid recent departures at CBS’ flagship Sunday news magazine, "60 Minutes," where more than half a dozen employees have left following internal disputes. Among those to depart was correspondent Scott Pelley, whose contract was terminated last week, according to the reporting.
Weiss has been exerting influence since being named editor-in-chief in October as part of the Free Press-Paramount arrangement, reshaping aspects of the newsroom. Axios said she has added commentators who provide perspectives on news, politics and culture as part of an effort to instill a "streaming mentality" within the network.
Axios identified several names under consideration for the business role, including Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group; Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN Worldwide; and Noah Oppenheim, former president of NBC News. The report also cited consideration of Ben Sherwood, current Daily Beast CEO and former ABC News president, and David Rhodes, former CBS News president and current executive chairman at Sky News, citing a source for those inclusions.
The report noted that Weiss’ position appears secure, despite a separate report from Puck that said some Paramount executives were exploring ways to limit her remit over linear television coverage.
Axios additionally reported that, while the companies await regulatory approval for the proposed $110 billion merger, Paramount executives are restricted from communicating with Warner Bros executives, including Thompson. That communication constraint is among the conditions while the deal remains under review.
Separately, Wendy McMahon, the former president and CEO of CBS News, resigned in May 2025, informing staffers that she and the company had differing views on the best way forward, the reporting said.
What to watch
- How Paramount's candidate selection progresses and whether any appointment is announced if the merger proceeds.
- Any further personnel changes at CBS News and related outlets following the turnover at "60 Minutes."
- Regulatory developments affecting the proposed $110 billion merger and any changes to restrictions on communications between the companies.