CNN: What's Next for the Network and Its Rivals
Bari Weiss, the current head of CBS News, is reportedly eyeing a bigger prize: a combined CBS-CNN news operation. The potential merger, driven by Paramount Skydance's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, raises a critical question: can Weiss "fix" CNN, as some might hope? The data suggests a different, and more troubling, reality.
Weiss's vision for CNN includes "Saturday night debates in front of a live audience." While seemingly innocuous, this proposal needs to be contextualized within her broader agenda. She explicitly aims to exclude voices like Hasan Piker, Tucker Carlson, and Nick Fuentes, while elevating figures like Alan Dershowitz. This isn't about fixing CNN; it's about imposing a specific ideological filter. The problem? News shouldn't be about filtering; it should be about presenting a comprehensive view of reality, even if it's uncomfortable.
The Illusion of "Normal"
Weiss's stated goal of promoting "normal" voices is particularly concerning. What constitutes "normal"? The implication is that certain viewpoints are inherently outside the pale. But who decides what's normal? And what are the metrics used to determine normality? This subjective assessment opens the door to bias and censorship, masquerading as objectivity. I've looked at hundreds of these cases, and this particular formulation is concerning.
The article suggests that Weiss's rise at CBS News was orchestrated to appease President Trump, whose Justice Department approval is needed for the merger. The article also mentions that Paramount and Warner Bros. are teaming up to distribute Rush Hour 4 at the behest of President Trump. This paints a picture of media consolidation driven by political influence, not journalistic integrity. The data suggests that the pursuit of power and profit are the primary drivers, with the public interest taking a distant second place.
The Security Detail Metric
The detail about Weiss's $10,000-per-day security detail is telling (or, more accurately, $3.65 million per year). It suggests a level of polarization and perceived threat that undermines the notion of "normal" discourse. If a news executive requires such extensive security, it raises questions about the environment they are creating and the messages they are sending. Are they fostering constructive dialogue, or are they inflaming passions and creating division?
Since being acquired by Ellison, Paramount has announced plans to cut approximately 2,600 employees. This is the part of the report that I find genuinely puzzling. On one hand, there is a consolidation of power, on the other, there are layoffs. The acquisition cost was substantial (reported at $2.1 billion). Does this mean that the "fix" will be achieved through cost-cutting measures and staff reductions? This seems like a recipe for further erosion of journalistic quality, not improvement. And where are the numbers on the potential profits from Rush Hour 4? I suspect those profits will be the actual metric of success here.
The Real "Fix" Is Nowhere in Sight
The numbers don't support the idea of CNN being "fixed." They suggest a further consolidation of power, driven by political influence and financial considerations. The focus on excluding certain voices and promoting a narrow definition of "normal" raises serious concerns about journalistic integrity. The layoffs at Paramount paint a bleak picture of the future. The "fix" isn't about improving news; it's about controlling the narrative. Don't bet on it.