MAGA-Coded CBS Boss Bari Weiss Suffers Fresh ’60 Minutes’ Blow

The latest installment of “60 Minutes” was the worst-rated fourth episode since the start of the 21st century.

Bari Weiss

Photo Illustration by Victoria Sunday/The Daily Beast/Getty Images/Reuters

The revamped 60 Minutes has been hit with a fresh ratings blow.

Just 6.06 million people tuned into the newsmagazine’s fourth episode of its 59th season on Oct. 10, and about 767,000 viewers were in the key 25-54 age demographic, which TV advertisers closely watch. The figures are lower than this time last year, when the program pulled in nearly one million more viewers for the fourth episode of that season.

More troubling, this episode was the worst-rated fourth episode since the start of the 21st century.

In June, Weiss fired several people from '60 Minutes,' including correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi, and executive producer Tanya Simon.

In June, Weiss fired several people from ’60 Minutes,’ including correspondents Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi, and executive producer Tanya Simon.

The low numbers come despite the episode including newsy segments featuring Lesley Stahl from the West Bank and an interview with the director of the Secret Service.

The poor ratings come just one week after the program got a more impressive 10.2 million total viewers and 2 million viewers in the demo on Oct. 4. But it should be noted that that episode benefited from a lead-in from the NFL, unlike last week’s.

A source familiar with the ratings told the Daily Beast that CBS had been expecting somewhat of a viewer drop-off this week as there was no NFL lead-in, as Fox was carrying the late NFL game. The source added that viewers had increased throughout the broadcast as the games wrapped up.

Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox

This season’s premiere also plummeted in the ratings as compared to previous season openers, as its debut, similar to the fourth episode this season, was the lowest-rated since 2000.

The low ratings come as controversy has swirled around CBS News since Bari Weiss, who had no professional experience in TV news before assuming her new role, took over the network as editor-in-chief late last year. She was installed after David Ellison, a son of billionaire Trump donor Larry Ellison, and his company Paramount Skydance purchased her “anti-woke” news and opinion blog, The Free Press, for $150 million.

Bari

Bari Weiss’s leadership at CBS has come under immense scrutiny.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

She and Ellison, 43, have attempted to make the network more Trump-friendly, but buyouts, layoffs, and criticism have scarred the network’s rightward lurch.

Her leadership over the last season of 60 Minutes was particularly controversial, as the newsmagazine was plagued with infighting that spilled out into the public eye.

Weiss

Weiss pictured with Ellison, on her left.

She had clashed with producers and former 60 Minutes correspondents, especially Sharyn Alfonsi, whom she later fired, over her last-minute decision to shelve a segment on the conditions at CECOT, the infamous El Salvadoran mega-prison where the Trump administration sent deportees.

In addition to canning Alfonsi, she also fired Cecilia Vega, who was the first Latina to be appointed as a 60 Minutes correspondent, and former correspondent Scott Pelley was fired within hours of voicing concerns about the direction of 60 Minutes under Weiss. Anderson Cooper, who had also been a 60 Minutes correspondent for 20 years, quit earlier this year.

CBS

Stahl pictured with Tanya Simon, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega, all of whom Weiss fired.

CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images

When the dust had settled over her Season 58 “bloodbath,” just three of the seven correspondents remained.

She has since installed Nick Bilton, who, like her, had no experience in broadcast news, as executive producer, and brought conservative commentator Ross Douthat and Norah O’Donnell into the fold as correspondents.

Unlock a year of full access to The Daily Beast for $35.

What’s IncludedUnlimited access (web + app)Exclusive ad-free newslettersCommenting accessDaily crosswordSneak peek of launches & events

Auto-renews at $5.99 monthly. Cancel anytime

What’s IncludedDiscounted annual rate – Save 47%Unlimited access (web + app)Exclusive ad-free newslettersCommenting accessDaily crosswordSneak peek of launches & events

Auto-renews at $59.99 yearly. Cancel anytime

Best Value

What’s IncludedDiscounted annual rateFull access to the Daily Beast Substack ($60 value)*Premium ad-free readingUnlimited access (web + app)Exclusive ad-free newslettersCommenting accessDaily crosswordSneak peek of launches & events

Auto-renews at $119.99 yearly. Cancel anytime

*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.

Looks like you already have a subscription!

You’re all set!

Thanks for subscribing.

Back to plans

Subscription$0.00

Total$0.00

Continue with GoogleContinue with FacebookLoading subscription options Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.

SubscribeRegister