Ticker: Cecilia Vega Says She Wasn’t Given a Reason for 60 Minutes Dismissal

Top of the Ticker: Former 60 Minutes correspondent Cecilia Vega opened up about her recent experience at CBS News under the leadership of editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, saying she was not given a reason as to why she was let go from the newsmagazine franchise.

Vega recently made those remarks during an onstage interview with ABC News correspondent John Quiñones at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference & Expo in New Orleans. According to Status’ Oliver Darcy, who obtained audio from the session, Vega provided three instances in which management gave feedback on her pieces during screenings but told the crowd those suggestions never made the final cut.

She went on to say that she believed the new management team was not a fan of her, was made to feel nervous by the “real tension” during the screenings, and was not appreciative of the back-and-forth when discussing her stories.

Merger on hold: Meanwhile, CBS News’ parent company announced that it will delay its potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to as late as June 2027 as it deals with a legal challenge brought on by state attorneys general. The two sides reached an agreement to put the merger on hold as the case goes through the legal process. 

New guidelines: Following the security breach that recently took place inside the Today production facilities at 30 Rockefeller, NBC News has put in place new protocols for guests and visitors. According to Variety, the network, in a memo to publicists and agents, said it will allow only two additional people in the studio per guest during an interview. NBC News said it will defer to them who those two people will be, and it will make no exceptions.

Extended partnership: Business channel CNBC and the New York Stock Exchange announced a renewal of their longstanding partnership, which will see CNBC continue to deliver live market coverage from the NYSE trading floor across its flagship programming and digital platforms. In addition, the two entities will expand their collaboration across high-profile live events and other future convenings that bring together business and government sectors. 

Schedule addition: Scripps News is debuting a new weekly Friday roundup show, Catch Me Up with Jon Leiberman. Airing every Friday at 7 p.m. ET, the 30-minute show will feature conversations with award-winning reporters and notable guests.

Revolving Door: CNN’s Clarissa Ward is remaining with the network on a one-year extension. According to Status, the two sides could not come to terms on a long-term contract, as Ward had apprehension over CNN’s direction under the oversight of Paramount Skydance.

Meanwhile, former CNN executive Ed O’Keefe has been named president and chief executive officer of The WNET Group, the parent company of New York’s PBS station Thirteen, and home of signature PBS series such as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, and Amanpour and Company. O’Keefe was previously a vp of CNN Politics and also held a senior position at ABC News. He was most recently president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. He starts his new position on Monday, September 21.

Finally, former NBC News executive Chris Berend is joining Hearst as chief content and experience officer. In this newly created role, Berend, who starts on Monday, August 3, will be responsible for driving the magazine group’s editorial strategy, leading content creation and programming across all its platforms. 

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