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Oliver Darcy
Oliver Darcy

Oliver Darcy is the founder and lead author of Status.

Inside the ‘60’ El-Sayed Scramble

Inside the ‘60’ El-Sayed Scramble

Oct 29, 2026

A CBS News correspondent’s ill-fated post threw a “60 Minutes” sit-down with Abdul El-Sayed into flux, but the Michigan Democrat wasn’t the only one with reservations about the piece, Status has learned.

Fox’s Trump Fatigue

Fox’s Trump Fatigue

Oct 27, 2026

With Donald Trump's approval ratings hovering near record lows, stunning new Nielsen data obtained by Status reveals a dramatic decline in Fox News viewership—an ominous sign for Republicans just days before the midterms.

Ellison’s CBS-CNN Split-Screen

Ellison’s CBS-CNN Split-Screen

Oct 26, 2026

As Skydance looks to eventually marry CNN and CBS News, the company is taking very different approaches to return-to-office mandates and employee buyouts, Status has learned—which may offer hints about their futures.

POLITICO’s Wiles Walkback

POLITICO’s Wiles Walkback

Oct 22, 2026

Under White House pressure, the Rosslyn-based outlet issued a correction to a story about Susie Wiles and Sean Hannity, an embarrassing black eye that has frustrated some staffers internally, Status has learned.

Cibrowski in the London Fog

Cibrowski in the London Fog

Oct 20, 2026

As the CBS News president meets with anxious staffers abroad, Status has obtained an audio recording capturing its foreign editor berating a reporter in a previous role at The WSJ, raising fresh questions about her management style.

Amanpour’s CNN Adieu

Amanpour’s CNN Adieu

Oct 19, 2026

The legendary journalist announced she will exit the network after four decades, and Status has learned what drove her decision despite a personal appeal from CNN boss Mark Thompson.

Contrition on the CBS Cruise

Contrition on the CBS Cruise

Oct 15, 2026

After an explosive all-hands meeting that left CBS News’ foreign desk in turmoil, embattled editor Shayndi Raice attempted to make some amends during an awkward boat cruise, Status has learned.

CBS’ Foreign Explosion

CBS’ Foreign Explosion

Oct 13, 2026

Bari Weiss’ handpicked foreign editor unleashed an explosive tirade at CBS News staffers, threatened insubordinate journalists with firing, and clashed with correspondent Holly Williams, according to audio obtained by Status.

Bari’s Stahl Showdown

Bari’s Stahl Showdown

Oct 12, 2026

Two recent clashes over Israel coverage have roiled Bari Weiss' CBS News, Status has learned, with one confrontation even pushing legendary “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl to the brink of quitting.

Ellison’s CNN Orientation

Ellison’s CNN Orientation

Oct 8, 2026

The Skydance boss spent considerable time at CNN’s New York offices on Thursday, meeting with network boss Mark Thompson, touring the newsroom, and participating in a closed-doors meeting with top network executives.

Ellison’s Day-One Dance

Ellison’s Day-One Dance

Oct 6, 2026

On the first day atop his new Skydance media empire, David Ellison faced pointed questions from Anderson Cooper and Status about CNN, his coziness with Donald Trump, and his commitment to editorial independence.

Ellison Leaves His Mark

Ellison Leaves His Mark

Oct 5, 2026

CNN staffers breathed a sigh of relief when Mark Thompson agreed to stay on under Skydance. But Status has learned that he hasn’t yet finalized a new contract—and he’s not the only top CNN executive whose deal expires in 2027.

Thompson’s Paramount Pilgrimage

Thompson’s Paramount Pilgrimage

Oct 1, 2026

David Ellison has asked Mark Thompson to stay at CNN, for now—buying time, but leaving the network's long-term future, and Bari Weiss' potential role, unresolved.

Comcast’s Carr Calculation

Comcast’s Carr Calculation

Sep 29, 2026

While the company announced plans to spin off NBCUniversal, Status has learned executives are weighing whether to hang on to their local television stations rather than risk a fight with Trump’s FCC.

Ellison’s Graham Doc Grab

Ellison’s Graham Doc Grab

Sep 28, 2026

Paramount is nearing a deal to pay an eye-popping sum for a documentary about the late Lindsey Graham that is also said to contain candid footage involving David Ellison himself, Status has learned.

Paramount’s Closing Path

Paramount’s Closing Path

Sep 25, 2026

As apprehension grips Warner Bros. Discovery's workforce, employees are wondering when Paramount will announce the merged company's leadership team and close the $111 billion merger. Here's what Status has learned.

Döpfner’s Thiel Tribute

Döpfner’s Thiel Tribute

Sep 24, 2026

At Axel Springer’s event honoring Peter Thiel in Berlin, the publishing boss dismissed his own journalists’ concerns and sat silently as Thiel attacked the press, fueling further pushback from staffers, Status has learned.

The Source Behind The Ban

The Source Behind The Ban

Sep 23, 2026

The anonymous source behind one of the stories the White House cited to justify banning POLITICO was none other than Vice President JD Vance, Status has learned.

Axel’s Thiel Tempest

Axel’s Thiel Tempest

Sep 22, 2026

The publisher is set to honor Trump ally Peter Thiel this week—and Status has learned that staffers at Politico and Business Insider are pushing back, accusing their parentco of undermining its own commitment to press freedom.

Ellison’s Bonta Blowout

Ellison’s Bonta Blowout

Sep 21, 2026

David Ellison worked the phones over the weekend to secure a settlement for his Warners takeover—but the deal’s supposed safeguard for CNN is already drawing skepticism from inside the network as staffers brace for what’s next.

Trump’s Press Purge

Trump’s Press Purge

Sep 18, 2026

The anti-press president abruptly announced a ban of CNN, MS NOW, and POLITICO from the White House—a move that blindsided the organizations and even some officials in his administration, Status has learned.

Bari’s Byers

Bari’s Byers

Sep 17, 2026

Puck's lead media reporter has gone to unusual lengths to defend Bari Weiss’ disastrous CBS News overhaul—all as the outlet pursues a lucrative deal with one of Paramount’s top investors.

Bari’s ‘60’ Bust

Bari’s ‘60’ Bust

Sep 15, 2026

Bari Weiss blew up “60 Minutes," ostensibly to create a better show. Instead, her revamped premiere just suffered its worst debut ratings of the 21st century—what one longtime TV executive told Status amounts to a “death spiral.”

Bari's Pentagon Bravo

Bari's Pentagon Bravo

Sep 14, 2026

Behind the scenes, Bari Weiss leaned on one unreported relationship to secure the “60 Minutes” airman interview, Status has learned—an exclusive that former staffers of the newsmagazine criticized as “propaganda.”

Bartiromo’s Fox Betrayal

Bartiromo’s Fox Betrayal

Sep 3, 2026

Fox News offered no explanation for Maria Bartiromo’s abrupt firing. But Status has learned what happened behind the scenes, and why it put the longtime host at odds with her own network.

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