CBS News is set to enhance its broadcast offerings with an innovative series of town hall meetings and debate programs. This initiative marks the first significant project under the editorial leadership of Bari Weiss, who was appointed Editor in Chief.
Introduction of “Things That Matter”
On Thursday, CBS News announced the introduction of “Things That Matter,” a series of one-hour single-issue programs in collaboration with the digital platform, Free Press. This partnership follows CBS’s parent company, Paramount, acquiring the Free Press in September. Bank of America will serve as the primary sponsor for this new series.
Featured Participants and Topics
The town hall events will invite notable participants, including:
- Vice President JD Vance – discussing the state of the country and the Republican Party’s future.
- Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI – focusing on artificial intelligence.
- Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland – addressing the future of the Democratic Party.
The debates will tackle provocative topics such as:
- “Should Gen Z Believe in the American Dream?”
- “Does America Need God?”
- “Has Feminism Failed Women?”
Debaters will include media personalities like journalist Liz Plank, New York Times opinion writer Ross Douthat, and Isabel Brown from Turning Point USA.
Program Scheduling and Viewership
Currently, no specific dates have been scheduled for these broadcasts. They are expected to air during the ongoing 2025-26 television season, which concludes in May. Recently, CBS tested the town hall format with a program featuring Bari Weiss and Erika Kirk, the widow of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. This telecast garnered an average viewership of 1.9 million, consistent with CBS’s typical performance during the 8 p.m. slot.
Vision for CBS News
This new series aims to foster honest conversations and passionate debates, as articulated by Weiss. “We believe that the vast majority of Americans crave honest conversation and civil, passionate debate,” she stated. “This series is for them, especially in an age where truth is often dictated by social media feeds.”
Weiss’s appointment was part of a strategic vision led by Paramount CEO David Ellison, who aims to steer CBS News toward a more centrist political stance. The Free Press has gained a following for its critical stance on various policies, including diversity and inclusion, and its robust support for Israel.
As CBS News prepares to roll out “Things That Matter,” it signals a commitment to engaging with audiences on pertinent national issues, while elevating the standard of discourse in contemporary media.
