Weiss Pivots CBS News to Digital Startup Model Amid Restructuring

2026-01-27 companies

New York, Wednesday, 28 January 2026.
Treating the legacy network as a “capitalized startup,” Weiss announced 18 new contributors, including popular podcasters, to reverse viewership declines and capture digital audiences.

A “Startup” Mentality for Legacy Media

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss outlined a radical transformation for CBS News during an all-staff meeting, framing the 98-year-old institution as the “best capitalized startup in the world” [6]. Addressing the newsroom following a turbulent leadership transition in late 2025, Weiss argued that the network’s traditional reliance on broadcast television is obsolete [1][6]. She bluntly warned staff that continuing to cling to the legacy broadcast audience would leave the network “toast,” emphasizing that the current output is “not producing a product that enough people want” [2][3]. This strategic pivot aims to make the news division “fit for purpose in the 21st century” by shifting focus toward streaming, digital platforms, and newsletter products [3][6].

The “Sorkin-ing” of Talent

Central to this new strategy is a move to build distinct media brands around individual personalities—a tactic Weiss referred to as “Sorkin-ing,” referencing the success of journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin [6]. To execute this, Weiss announced the hiring of 18 new paid contributors on January 27, 2026, aiming to import independent voices with established digital followings [1][5]. The roster includes neurobiology professor Andrew Huberman, who commands an audience of nearly 8 million followers on Instagram, and historian Niall Ferguson [5]. Other new additions include Dr. Mark Hyman, H.R. McMaster, and lifestyle creators like Caroline Chambers [4][5].

Market Headwinds and Internal Dissent

The aggressive restructuring comes against a backdrop of financial pressure and internal skepticism. Paramount Skydance stock fell 2.6% in midday trading on January 26, 2026, reflecting broader market uncertainty [2]. Viewership struggles also persist; a recent town hall event featuring Erika Kirk resulted in an 11% decline in viewership compared to the slot’s typical performance [2]. Furthermore, the flagship CBS Evening News lost over a million viewers during its inaugural week under new hosting in early 2026 compared to the previous year [2].

Sources

Restructuring Media