CBS News commits to more town hall and debate telecasts with a major sponsor

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CBS News is launching a series of town halls and debates, supported by a significant advertiser. This is the first major project led by the network’s new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss.

The news organization revealed on Thursday a new series of hour-long programs called “Things That Matter.” These programs will focus on single topics and be created in partnership with the online publication, the Free Press.

CBS News parent Paramount acquired the Free Press which was co-founded by Weiss, in September.

Bank of America will be a major sponsor of the series.

The town hall will feature Vice President JD Vance talking about the nation’s current situation and where the Republican Party is headed. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will discuss artificial intelligence, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore will share his vision for the future of the Democratic Party.

The discussion will cover topics like whether the American Dream is still attainable for Gen Z, the role of religion in America, and if feminism has truly benefited women. Participants include journalist Liz Plank, Ross Douthat from the New York Times, and Isabel Brown, who represents the conservative group Turning Point USA.

The programs haven’t been scheduled yet, but they will air sometime before the end of May during the 2025-26 television season.

CBS experimented with a town hall-style broadcast on Saturday, featuring an interview with Erika Kirk, the wife of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The program, which was filmed with a live audience, drew an average of 1.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings – a typical number for CBS entertainment shows at that time slot.

Town hall meetings, where a news topic or person answers questions directly from the audience, have always been common on cable news. Traditional broadcast networks usually reserve this format for presidential candidates.

Hollywood Inc.

The president wants new owners and leadership at the cable network he has spent years attacking.

“Things That Matter” isn’t designed to attract a large audience; it represents a fresh direction for CBS News under the leadership of Weiss.

As a total movie buff, I’m always looking for stories that really say something, and honestly, I think most people are too. That’s what this new series is all about, according to the creator. It feels especially important now, when it’s so easy to just believe whatever pops up on your phone. They really believe the only way to get to the truth is by actually talking to each other, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s about having real, honest, and even passionate conversations – something we desperately need more of.

Weiss and Kirk co-hosted the town hall event. CBS News hasn’t yet revealed who will be appearing on air for the “Things That Matter” series.

David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount, hired Weiss hoping he could steer the news division towards a more neutral position, reflecting what Ellison sees as the views of the majority of Americans.

I’ve been following The Free Press for a while now, and what really struck me is how they’re willing to challenge the status quo. They’ve become well-known for questioning things like DEI initiatives and what some call “woke” policies, and they’re very outspoken in their support of Israel. People often describe them as independent thinkers – and they weren’t afraid to critique the Trump administration either! From what I can tell, they really resonate with people in the business world, those who generally prefer lower taxes and a smaller role for government.

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2025-12-18 18:01