Paramount acquired The Free Press and installed its founder at CBS News
Reporting and findings
- documented
After the Paramount-Skydance combination approved under Trump-designated FCC Chairman Brendan Carr closed, Paramount acquired The Free Press and made co-founder Bari Weiss editor-in-chief of CBS News, where Paramount said she would shape editorial priorities and report directly to chief executive David Ellison; The Free Press retained its own brand and operations.
- Paramount Skydance Corporation: Paramount Announces Deal to Acquire The Free PressAcquisition, reporting line, editorial duties, and retained operations, lines 20-29
- Paramount Skydance Corporation: Third Quarter 2025 Shareholder Letter, furnished with Form 8-KCompleted-tense acquisition and current CBS News role in Q3 shareholder letter
- Paramount Skydance Corporation: Skydance Media and Paramount Global Complete Merger, Creating Next Generation Media CompanyAugust 7, 2025 merger completion
- Federal Communications Commission: Applications for Consent to the Transfer of Control of Paramount Global, FCC 25-43Ordering clause 61 granting the transfer applications
- The White House: President Trump Designates Chairmen and Acting ChairmenJanuary 20, 2025 designation of Brendan Carr as FCC chairman
Summary and current status
Bari Weiss became CBS News editor-in-chief with authority to shape editorial priorities while The Free Press retained its own brand and operations.
Acquisition completed; editorial appointment in effect
People and organizations
- David EllisonParamount chief executive receiving Bari Weiss's direct reports
- The Free Pressacquired digital news organization
- Bari Weissacquired publisher and incoming CBS News editor-in-chief
- Paramount Skydance Corporationacquirer and CBS parent
- CBS Newsnews organization receiving editor-in-chief
- Donald J. Trumppresident whose designated FCC chair preceded parent-company transfer
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. Trumpexpanded news ownership after Trump-era FCC approvalParamount Skydance Corporation
- Donald J. Trumpacquired by post-approval Paramount ownerThe Free Press
- Donald J. Trumpeditorial leadership changed after parent acquisitionCBS News
- Donald J. Trumpappointed CBS editor after Trump-era approvalDavid Ellison
- Donald J. Trumpappointed CBS editor after Trump-era approvalBari Weiss