Paramount Acquires The Free Press, Names Bari Weiss CBS News Editor

Paramount Global has acquired The Free Press, an independent subscription media outlet founded by Bari Weiss, for approximately $200 million. Weiss, who will become the editor-in-chief of CBS News, aims to bring The Free Press's independent and fact-based journalism to a broader audience while maintaining its separate brand and operations. Paramount's CEO David Ellison emphasized the company's commitment to balanced, bipartisan dialogue and modernizing content to engage a wider spectrum of viewers. The acquisition marks a strategic shift for CBS News, which has faced criticism for bias and declining viewership, with Weiss expected to reshape its editorial tone and expand its digital and broadcast reach. The Free Press, known for contrarian and diverse perspectives, has grown rapidly since its 2021 launch, accumulating over 1.5 million subscribers and experiencing significant revenue growth. This move reflects Paramount's broader efforts to revitalize its news division amid increasing audience fragmentation and skepticism about media institutions.