The Fear of a New Era: CNN Staffers Brace for Bari Weiss Takeover Amidst Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

With the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger on the horizon, staffers at CNN are feeling uneasy about their potential new overlords. As the deal edges closer to completion, whispers of a Bari Weiss takeover have left many in the news giant's ranks fearing that their voices may go unheard. CNN is no longer the powerhouse it once was under its founder, media mogul Ted Turner, or during the tenure of Jeff Zucker. The competition for viewer attention is fierce, and other networks have seized the opportunity to attract audiences with more provocative personalities and sensational rhetoric than CNN staples like Wolf Blitzer and Laura Coates. But despite these challenges, CNN remains a lucrative asset: according to internal projections, it is expected to generate $600 million in profit in 2026 on $1.8 billion in revenue. Paramount, which will emerge from the merger with a staggering $79 billion in net debt, could certainly benefit from CNN's financial might. The combined entity will face significant cost-cutting measures and declining advertising revenues, as well as a stable of cable networks that are hemorrhaging subscribers. For Paramount, CNN's predictable revenue stream from distribution agreements is a lifeline. But inside CNN, there is a palpable sense of trepidation about Paramount's ability—or desire—to manage the news giant for profit or the future. "I don't have glimmers of hope and don't see reasons for any," one staffer lamented. Both Paramount Skydance and CNN declined to comment on the matter. The specter of Weiss looms large over these concerns, as many at CNN fear she will be given oversight of operations similar to her role at CBS News. Under Weiss' leadership, credibility has eroded, ratings have plummeted, and several high-profile journalists and executives have jumped ship. The senior staff of "60 Minutes" has been decimated, despite a 9% increase in ratings in the most recent TV season. Rumors suggest that Weiss may be tapped to lead CNN as well, and these whispers have already sparked unease among the network's ranks. Last week, Paula Reid—a respected legal-affairs correspondent—announced she would not renew her contract at CNN, citing the chaos and uncertainty that is likely to engulf the network following the merger. Reid is expected to join MS NOW, where top executive Rebecca Kutler has placed an emphasis on enterprise reporting in Washington, D.C. A combined Paramount-Warner Bros. would still derive the majority of its revenue from cable networks, so CNN's financial health remains crucial. The network serves as a key negotiating pawn for Warner in deals with distributors like Charter and Roku. Other cable networks may be disposable in an era defined by streaming, but CNN—with its unparalleled global reach and extensive roster of talent—is not one of them. Weiss has no experience managing such a property, nor has she demonstrated any aptitude for it while in her current role at CBS News. "CNN is a very complex asset," one insider explained. "It is global, multiplatform. There are cameras in every country. It has a huge army of talent." Mismanage the network, they warn, and you could easily squander its goldmine status. "If you chip away at your core audience through machinations, you could really hurt the business." Indeed, CNN staffers have seen this story play out before—and recently. When Warner was taken over by CEO David Zaslav, he mandated that CNN scale back its crusading, Trump-focused stance under Jeff Zucker. He brought in Chris Licht, a rising star who had helped launch "Morning Joe" on MSNBC; injected new energy into CBS News' morning program; and steered Stephen Colbert toward a new direction in late night. At the time, some speculated that CNN could win over Fox News viewers by veering away from its anti-Trump posture. The network moved popular host Don Lemon off of his late primetime show, and ratings plummeted under Licht's tenure. Current staffers are quick to point out that the network has yet to recover a substantial portion of those lost viewers. Weiss may have some wiggle room, according to one source familiar with CNN's business. The revenue from distribution agreements is steady and reliable, unlike advertising revenues, which can fluctuate. And because approximately three-quarters of revenue comes from distribution contracts that are negotiated every few years, a few changes to CNN programs might not trigger immediate outrage or severe consequences—at least from partners. If Weiss makes only minor programming adjustments, audiences and business partners may not react strongly. Under CNN's current chief, Mark Thompson, the network has made some attempts to adapt to the digital age. One of CNN's most popular programs is "NewsNight," a lively roundtable hour during which moderator Abby Phillip guides heated debates among various partisans. Thompson has also given prominence to conservative commentator Scott Jennings, who often serves as a foil to liberal viewpoints. Paramount has expressed interest in pairing Weiss with an executive to help manage the business side of its news operations. But sources say that executives have been told they would be subordinate to Weiss—a condition that has left many balking. Could Mark Thompson be one of them? His current title at CNN is CEO and editor in chief, a position he also held when leading the BBC in the U.K. Thompson is "a man of conviction," says one insider, and journalists at the company have placed their faith in him as he has slowly articulated a vision for a bigger push into digital and streaming media. Teaming with Weiss, however, would likely require Thompson to cede duties he has already won. Without a boost from new digital revenue, CNN's business is projected to decline, according to market research firm Kagan. Cash flow is expected to drop nearly 10% from $815.9 million in 2025 to $735.3 million in 2027, with advertising revenues predicted to fall by 6.6%. But distribution revenue is projected to continue rising. The scrutiny on Weiss's management will only intensify should she move to CNN, says one source familiar with its operations. "I think her problem isn't going to be the business," they say. "People you actually want are not going to make a leap of faith to join when it's too noisy, it's too messy." In the event of a radical shift at CNN, some believe that the network's spirit might live on elsewhere. MS NOW—Reid's expected destination—was once home to Kutler, who thrived during the Zucker era and later led programming for CNN+ before its untimely demise. Under her tenure at MS NOW, the network has recruited top journalists like Carol Leonnig, a renowned investigative reporter known for her work at The Washington Post. Some executives at Versant Media—MS NOW's parent company—would not object if you suggested that the network has softened its harder-left edge in favor of a more centrist disposition. They might point to MS NOW's ability to attract newsmakers during breaking news cycles, or to year-over-year ratings increases in June. And they would certainly highlight an interview Senate Majority Leader John Thune did with early-morning anchor Ali Vitali last October—just before the network changed its name from MSNBC. If Paramount-Warner Bros. decides to overhaul CNN, at least one rival still sees value—and profit—in the old formula.