Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

Latest Episodes:

Dokoupil's Taiwan Trouble, Weiss Brawls With Stahl, Kristof Blowback, & POLITICO Owner’s Trump Play May 15, 2026

Show notes

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday.

On this week’s episode:

CBS News not only failed to secure a visa for Tony Dokoupil to broadcast from Beijing during Donald Trump’s China trip, but the network was barred by its hotel from broadcasting from its grounds, Status has learned. The embarrassing fiasco adds to a slew of negative headlines the Bari Weiss-led network has faced this week. We discuss how Weiss undermined “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl by handing Major Garrett the Benjamin Netanyahu interview, as Status also first reported.

Plus, The New York Times is grappling with blowback after Nicholas Kristof’s shocking opinion piece alleging Israel has systematically raped Palestinian prisoners. And we break down another Status exclusive report—this one about how POLITICO owner Mathias Döpfner has been quietly courting Trump, with secret dinner invites in Washington and a personal trip to the Middle East.

0:00 Intro

1:23 CBS News Fails to Secure Visa for Dokoupil

6:47 Latest ‘CBS Evening News’ Ratings Data

8:53 Inside ‘60 Minutes’ Staff Fallout after Netanyahu Interview

19:16 Israel Threatens The New York Times Over Kristof Piece

35:14 POLITICO Owner Quietly Courts Trump

44:19 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions

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

Interested in what we’re discussing? Read more from Status:

https://www.status.news/p/tony-dokoupil-cbs-evening-news-taiwan-bari-weiss

https://www.status.news/p/60-minutes-netanyahu-bari-weiss-major-garrett

https://www.status.news/p/nicholas-kristof-israel-new-york-times

https://www.status.news/p/mathias-dopfner-donald-trump-meeting-axel-springer

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CNN Star’s Ellison Alarm, Bari Weiss' Never-Ending Ratings Spiral, The Next Murdoch Media Empire May 08, 2026

Show notes

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday.

On today’s episode:

Christiane Amanpour has become the first CNN star to say the quiet part out loud about David Ellison's upcoming takeover. Bari Weiss is in ratings hell—and under fire from a “60 Minutes” correspondent. Meanwhile, some of Substack’s biggest publishers are eyeing the exits, while James Murdoch moves closer to building a media empire of his own with a deal for Vox’s podcast network and New York Magazine.

Read all of these stories and more at Status: https://www.status.news

0:00 Intro

1:43 Christiane Amanpour Speaks Out on CNN's Ellison Takeover

5:55 Bari Weiss' Ratings Spiral, 60 Minutes Correspondent Pushes Back

18:12 James Murdoch Moves on Vox Podcasts and New York Magazine

31:15 Substack's Biggest Publishers Eye the Exits

49:45 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions

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Bari Weiss’ CBS News ‘Train Wreck;’ Disney Boss Faces Trump Test; Don Jr. the Next ‘Apprentice’? May 01, 2026

Show notes

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday. On today’s episode: CBS News is facing mounting turmoil as new ratings data shows “CBS Evening News” and “CBS Mornings” hitting historic lows under Bari Weiss’ leadership, Meanwhile, Weiss has ousted the network’s foreign editor after comparing the network's coverage to a terrorist group. Then, Donald Trump is demanding ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel, but Disney is finding unlikely support from MAGA. Plus, Amazon is discussing a reboot of “The Apprentice” with Donald Trump Jr. as host—what Jeff Bezos is really trying to accomplish. 0:00 Intro 1:47 CBS News Hits Historic Low Ratings Under Bari Weiss 12:17 Weiss Ousts Foreign Editor Over Terror Group Comparison 21:20 Trump Demands ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel, MAGA Sides With Disney 33:19 Amazon Talks "The Apprentice" Reboot With Don Jr. 42:09 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Your Questions 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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Scott MacFarlane Gets Candid, Tucker Carlson Apologizes, and Kash Patel Lashes Out Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino: Former CBS News correspondent, and current chief Washington correspondent for MeidasTouch, Scott MacFarlane joined the show! We talked about the tension surrounding this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Scott’s departure from CBS News, the state of legacy media, and his transition into independent journalism. Also, Oliver and Jon discuss Tucker Carlson saying he is “tormented” over his 2024 support of Donald Trump, and Kash Patel targeting reporters. No Open Lines this week but, please, call us on our new voicemail line! (646) 926-0325 We want to hear from you and feature your questions on 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 1:51 Scott MacFarlane on the White House Correspondent's Dinner and Leaving CBS News 31:09 Tucker Carlson ‘Tormented’ By Past Support for Trump 38:35 Kash Patel Uses FBI to Target Reporters

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David Ellison's ‘Intimate’ Trump Dinner, Murdoch Wins in Court, and Our Battle With Actual Fake News Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino:

David Ellison is set to host an "intimate" dinner “honoring the Trump White House,” according to an invite that we got our hands on. The event is ostensibly a “celebration of the First Amendment” and will include CBS White House correspondents. Of course, inviting the very people who assail the First Amendment to an event celebrating it makes little sense. Oliver and Jon break down the details and explain what is really going on.

Next, Oliver and Jon explain how they were victims of actual “fake news” this week, when Mediaite published a false story about Status, complete with a fabricated quote attributed to Jon. We’ll take you through what happened.

And finally, Trump suffers a huge loss in court at the hands of Rupert Murdoch.

Plus, we announce our new voicemail line during another edition of Open Lines. Give us a call at (646) 926-0325‬. Leave a message, ask a question, or just scream into the phone for a couple of minutes. We’d love to feature you on the show!

0:00 Intro

1:18 Inside David Ellison’s Private Dinner Honoring the Trump White House

15:29 We Were Victims of Actual Fake News

34:05 Murdoch Beats Trump in Court

39:39 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer your Questions

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The Press Embraces Its Enemies; Bari’s ‘60 Minutes’ Idea; MAGA Turns on Trump Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

With the White House Correspondents’ Dinner approaching, news organizations are confronting an uncomfortable question: Do they welcome members of an administration that demonizes the press at every turn into their weekend events—or do they draw a line?

Over at CBS News, Bari Weiss has staffers at “60 Minutes” nervous about how she will overhaul the show. We've learned exclusive new details about what Weiss is privately floating during meetings about the newsmagazine’s future.

Plus, MAGA Media has had it with Donald Trump. Top figures like Tucker Carlson, Alex Jones, and Megyn Kelly are unloading on the president over the Iran War—with some even calling for him to be removed from office via the 25th Amendment.

Oliver and Jon break it all down—and answer viewer questions during Open Lines at the end of the episode.

0:00 Intro

1:32 Trump Attending the White House Correspondent’s Dinner

15:40 60 Minutes Staffers Brace for Bari Weiss Shake-Up

25:29 MAGA Media Eviscerates Trump

36:01 Open Lines: Oliver and Jon Answer Listener Questions

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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White House Melts Down Over Photo, Bari Weiss Eyes ‘60 Minutes’ Overhaul, MS NOW-NBC Tensions Spike Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

On this week’s episode of Power Lines…

New reporting from Status reveals the White House quietly pressured AFP to remove an unflattering image of press secretary Karoline Leavitt from its wire and AFP complied. Oliver and Jon break down how it happened, the questionable explanation behind it, and why the attempt to control the image may have backfired.

Then, a brewing power struggle inside CBS News. Bari Weiss is eyeing sweeping changes to 60 Minutes. Oliver reports the network’s top editor pushed for a mid-season shakeup, was stopped, and is now preparing for a much larger overhaul after May, with executive producer Tanya Simon potentially on the chopping block.

Plus, a surprise move at NBC News. Peter Alexander is out, heading to a new role at MS NOW. But behind the scenes, it’s part of a much messier split between NBC and Versant and talent is increasingly caught in the middle.

And to close it out, Oliver and Jon answer listener questions in the latest edition of Open Lines.

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

1:45 White House Had AFP Pull Karoline Leavitt Photo

14:24 Bari Weiss Plans Major 60 Minutes Shakeup

27:20 Peter Alexander Out at NBC, Talent Caught in Power Struggle

35:25 Open Lines: Your Questions Answered

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SPECIAL EPISODE: Jim Acosta on Trump’s Growing Influence Over the Media Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

This week, Jim Acosta joins Oliver and Jon for a special bonus edition of Power Lines! Fresh off congressional testimony, Acosta breaks down Trump’s growing influence over the press, media consolidation, CNN and CBS, and the rise of independent media. They also explore how news organizations are responding to political pressure, why audiences are shifting away from traditional outlets, and what this moment means for the future of the media industry. Big thanks to Jim. Follow his work on YouTube, and if you’re new here, subscribe to this channel for more Power Lines. Also sign up for our daily newsletter at status.news for essential coverage of the media industry.

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Bari Weiss’ CBS News Ratings Collapse, Tensions Mount Inside CNN, Hegseth Escalates War on Press Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

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/

Thanks to our sponsor, beehiiv, who 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 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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'CBS Evening News' Hits New Lows, White House Attacks Google, MS NOW Shakes Up Lineup Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

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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