On this week’s episode of Power Lines:

Exclusive ratings data obtained by Status shows the first quarter of the revamped CBS News under Bari Weiss shed viewers at an alarming rate, collapsing to historic lows. Oliver and Jon break down the numbers, explain why audiences are tuning out, and what it means as rivals ABC and NBC notch year-over-year gains.

Next, more exclusive reporting: CNN chief Mark Thompson faces tough questions from staff during a visit to the network’s London hub, with concerns mounting over Paramount’s incoming ownership under David Ellison—and what it could mean for CNN’s independence.

Then, despite a decisive court loss over his crackdown on the Pentagon press corps, Pete Hegseth is escalating his fight, imposing new restrictions on coverage of the Iran war.

Finally, Oliver and Jon respond to listener comments on MS NOW’s programming changes, CBS News’ ratings troubles, and Oliver’s pronunciation of one particular word.

Read these stories and more in Status: https://www.status.news/

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0:00 Intro

1:34 CBS News Ratings Collapse (Exclusive)

19:00 CNN CEO Grilled by Talent and Staff

31:59 Hegseth Vs. the Press

39:03 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Listener Questions

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On this week’s Power Lines…

CBS News is running into headwinds—and the spotlight is squarely on Bari Weiss. The network’s revamped “Evening News,” helmed by Tony Dokoupil under Weiss' editorial direction, is hitting dangerous ratings lows, slipping below four million viewers. Unfortunately for Weiss, the problems aren’t confined to what’s happening on air. Inside the building, tensions are mounting as staffers at CBS News’ streaming division walked off the job amid a contract dispute.

Meanwhile, in Washington, the White House is escalating its fight with Big Tech, this time zeroing in on Google. Officials are amplifying claims that the platform is biased against conservative outlets, citing a deeply flawed report from a right-wing attack dog. 

Over at MS Now, a major programming shakeup is underway. The network is reshuffling its daytime lineup in an effort to hold onto viewers beyond the morning hours and present a more cohesive lineup of programming. 

Plus, in the Q&A section of Power Lines—now known as Open Lines—Jon and Oliver answer your questions, from the future of CBS News talent to the broader shift toward independent media.

0:00 Intro

1:12 CBS Evening News Ratings Slide

7:17 Streaming Staff Walkout at CBS

12:35 White House Targets Google Over Media Bias

22:30 MS Now Programming Shakeup

29:39 Open Lines: Responding to Your Questions

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On this week’s Power Lines…

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On this week’s Power Lines:

MAGA Media’s biggest stars are waging war with one another over Trump’s Iran conflict, dividing his most loyal mouthpieces. Oliver and Jon discuss what it means for the fracturing coalition that put Trump into office. And at CNN, Scott Jennings is facing blowback from the network’s own reporters for parroting the administration’s bogus war claim.

Plus, Trump’s stunning decision to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is being met with alarm and dread inside the group, with some reporters fearing it will be used to “bash the press to our faces.”

Finally, Bari Weiss is hard at work tinkering with CBS’s morning show. Oliver reveals the MAGA-friendly former ESPN host Weiss attempted to recruit, the former “GMA” host now being considered for “CBS Mornings,” and what it reveals about the future of the show.

Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: ⁠https://www.beehiiv.com/status⁠

0:00 Intro

1:34: CNN reacts internally to Scott Jennings tweet

6:09 MAGA media turns on itself over Iran war

19:35 Trump plans to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

26:41 Kaitlan Collins vs. Karoline Leavitt

34:09 Bari Weiss looks to shake up CBS Mornings

47:44 Oliver & Jon respond to listener comments

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On this week’s Power Lines:

CNN staffers are in full-blown panic after a shocking twist delivered the network to the MAGA-friendly David Ellison. Oliver and Jon discuss how Netflix's deal for CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, collapsed and what is to come for the network now that Bari Weiss is positioned to take charge.

Plus, Tucker Carlson humiliates Mike Huckabee in a wide-ranging three hour conversation, and Ben Shapiro blasts Candace Owens as “evil.”

Read the full stories in Status: https://www.status.news/

Thank you to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status

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On this week’s Power Lines:

Next, Oliver and Jon break down Anderson Cooper’s decision to exit “60 Minutes” after nearly two decades—and why his freedom from being managed by Bari Weiss might not last as long as it seems.

Finally, a clear-eyed look at Fox News’ conspicuous silence on the Epstein Files now that the president’s name features prominently in them.

Plus, Mark Zuckerberg takes the stand in a high-stakes trial that could mark the end of infinite scroll as we know it.

0:00 Intro

2:08 Colbert Feuds with CBS after Carr’s FCC Threat

19:45 Inside Anderson Cooper’s Decision to Leave 60 Minutes

32:47 Fox News’ Conspicuous Silence on Epstein Files

40:30 Zuckerberg Takes the Stand in Meta Trial

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On this week’s Power Lines:

At Bari Weiss' revamped "CBS Evening News," a quarter of the staff is taking a buyout, including one producer who said they were pressured to “self-censor.” But Oliver and Jon have learned even bigger cuts are on the horizon amid Weiss’ MAGA-friendly changes to the outlet.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is escalating pressure on Tim Cook, accusing Apple of news bias for ignoring shoddy right-wing media outlets. And TV newsrooms are on edge after the abduction of Savannah Guthrie's mom—how networks are increasing security for top stars.

Read the full stories and more at ⁠https://www.status.news/⁠

00:00 Intro

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Jeff Bezos leaves The Washington Post to twist in the wind, slashing a third of the storied newsroom while ignoring pleas from his staffers—all while currying favor with the Trump administration.

Bari Weiss moves to keep newly minted wellness contributor Peter Attia on the CBS News payroll, even as DOJ-released documents expose his cozy ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Plus, Ted Sarandos is dragged into the MAGA culture wars on Capitol Hill, and Donald Trump unleashes a blatantly sexist attack on Kaitlan Collins for allegedly “not smiling” enough.

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Go to cozyearth.com and enter code STATUSBOGO for a buy one get one pajama deal. Deal ends February 8th!

00:00 Intro

01:05 Massive Layoffs at the Washington Post

04:56 Bezos's Priorities: Blue Origin Over Journalism

17:20 CBS News Peter Attia and the Epstein Files

31:43 Josh Hawley Grills Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos

35:31 Ted Cruz's Antics at the Hearing

44:14 Trump's Attack on Kaitlan Collins

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On this week’s Power Lines:

Bari Weiss kicked off her first all-hands meeting at CBS News, trying to sell her new vision to skeptical journalists—but instead found herself grilled by staffers as she announced a slate of eyebrow-raising contributors.

Next, at The Washington Post, morale is collapsing as deep newsroom cuts loom. But owner Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are jetting off to Haute Couture Week, seemingly unconcerned with employee pleas for help.

Then, Rupert Murdoch’s media empire abruptly changed its tune on Trump's ICE operation in Minneapolis following the killing of Alex Pretti, even as MAGA influencers Benny Johnson and Megyn Kelly pushed lies and smears about Pretti.

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at CBS Town Hall

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On this week’s Power Lines:

Embattled CBS News boss Bari Weiss badmouthed her own staff to reporters after holding up a “60 Minutes” segment on Trump deportees, suggesting the struggling new chief has much to learn. Plus, new “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil’s abysmal ratings continue as the network’s sudden right-turn alienates audiences.

Then, CNN’s pro-MAGA contributor Scott Jennings is slammed by network guests over his warped relationship with the truth as he aligns himself with Donald Trump.

Speaking of distortion realities, the biggest stars on Fox News and across the MAGAverse are suddenly all-in on the idea of the U.S. taking over Greenland in lockstep with Trump.

And finally, Status’ Brian Lowry joins the show to break down the biggest surprises and snubs of the 2026 Oscar nominations.

00:00 Intro

00:55 CBS News Ratings Drop for Weiss & Dokoupil

01:31 Behind the Scenes Drama at 60 Minutes

06:02 Bari Weiss's Management Style

16:48 Scott Jennings Under Fire at CNN

26:48 Fox News Defends Trump's Greenland Gambit

32:27 Unpacking Oscar Nominations

34:53 Sinners: The Movie of the Year?

36:19 Best Picture Nominees

37:13 Surprising Oscar Snubs

41:49 Oscar Predictions and Dark Horses

Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, the platform that powers the Status newsletter! If you have a newsletter with over 100k subscribers, schedule your free growth consultation today. Or, use code STATUS30 for 30% off: https://www.beehiiv.com/status

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