Oliver Darcy

Oliver Darcy is the founder and lead author of Status.

The Peacock’s Paywall

Aug 10, 2026

NBC News once vowed to keep its best journalism free, but the news outlet is now putting its exclusive and enterprise reporting behind a digital paywall—and not everyone inside the company is thrilled, Status has learned.

Dokoupil’s Ratings ‘Dagger’

Aug 6, 2026

Tony Dokoupil’s summer vacation has delivered an unexpected and somewhat awkward result for CBS News: the program’s substitute delivered the show’s best ratings in months, Status has learned.

The Guthrie Gridlock

Aug 5, 2026

Six months after Nancy Guthrie's abduction, frustration is mounting behind the scenes, Status has learned, as the FBI and local authorities continue to trade blame while the investigation appears stalled.

The Ellison Credibility Crisis

Aug 4, 2026

The Paramount boss tried to convince the public he can be trusted with CNN. But staffers inside the network torched his Times essay in brutal comments to Status, pointing to his disastrous record at CBS News.

Bilton’s Leak Battle

Aug 3, 2026

The new “60 Minutes” executive producer welcomed staff back from their July vacations with a weekend memo in which he delivered a stern message about leaks, a missive that naturally leaked to Status.

The WSJ’s Tech Tremors

Jul 30, 2026

The newspaper is still feeling the aftershocks of last year’s overhaul of its San Francisco bureau, Status has learned, while tension mounts between top editor Emma Tucker and her boss Robert Thomson.

Bari's New '60' Slate

Jul 28, 2026

CBS News’ decision to appoint a conservative opinion columnist as a “60 Minutes” correspondent sparked consternation inside the network, Status has learned, while also drawing sharp criticism from industry veterans.

The Race to Rebuild ‘60 Minutes’

Jul 27, 2026

With the fall season fast approaching, Nick Bilton and Bari Weiss are racing to rebuild the newsmagazine, holding screen tests featuring mock Ghislaine Maxwell interviews and hunting for new senior leaders, Status has learned.

Vega Breaks Her Silence

Jul 23, 2026

The fired “60 Minutes” correspondent revealed stunning new details about how CBS News management tried to meddle in her reporting, according to an audio recording obtained by Status.

Clarissa Ward’s CNN Crossroads

Jul 21, 2026

The star foreign correspondent could not reach a long-term deal with CNN earlier this year amid friction with executives and concerns over Bari Weiss potentially taking editorial control of the network, Status has learned.

CBS’ Eleventh-Hour Call

Jul 20, 2026

The Bari Weiss-led network privately indicated it would snub Donald Trump’s primetime address last week, Status has learned, only to reverse course at the last minute and air the speech.

The Inaugural Status Summit

Jul 16, 2026

We’re stepping out of your inbox and onto the stage for a one-day event convening the biggest names in media for candid conversations about the state of the industry.

Thompson’s White House Trek

Jul 14, 2026

The CNN chief quietly traveled to the White House last week to visit the network’s team of reporters, who peppered him with questions about Paramount’s looming takeover, Status has learned.

Ellison’s California Nightmare

Jul 13, 2026

David Ellison may have been California dreamin’ about getting his Warners deal cleared by the Golden State—but he’s now facing a nightmare as it and 11 other states sue to block it on antitrust grounds.

The ‘60’ Summer Struggles

Jul 2, 2026

One month after Black Thursday, the newsmagazine remains in turmoil—with Status learning Bill Whitaker has privately expressed frustration, another longtime producer has exited, and staffers are wondering how exactly they’ll make air in the fall.

Reiding The Room at CNN

Jun 30, 2026

Paula Reid declined to renew her contract at CNN, Status has learned, after the star correspondent engaged in candid conversations with network brass about the outlet’s future under David Ellison.

Carving Up Comcast

Jun 29, 2026

Brian Roberts insisted the seismic breakup of Comcast's media and broadband businesses is about creating two stronger companies—but no one in the industry is buying it, with insiders telling Status they believe Roberts has other intentions in mind.

Bari’s Punch Back Plan

Jun 25, 2026

After months of criticism over her controversial overhaul of CBS News, Bari Weiss is eager to tell her side of the story, Status has learned—and she's been in talks for a major sit-down interview.

Patrick Soon-Shiong’s Payment Problems

Jun 23, 2026

The Los Angeles Times has repeatedly fallen behind on payments to contractors and vendors, Status has learned, even as its billionaire owner pushes ahead with plans for an IPO.

The 'CBS Mornings’ Mess

Jun 22, 2026

New Nielsen ratings data obtained by Status shows “CBS Mornings” is on pace for its worst June ever as the Bari Weiss-led network’s troubles deepen.

In the B.I. of the Storm

Jun 18, 2026

In the wake of layoffs and executive exits, interim chief Christian Baesler told staffers in an all-hands meeting the outlet is "stronger than ever,” but a recording obtained by Status suggests the newsroom isn't buying it.

The CBS-CNN Courtship

Jun 16, 2026

Behind the scenes, Status has learned that top executives at CNN and CBS News have quietly convened for meetings as Paramount moves closer to acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, uniting the two news operations.

The Smear on the South Lawn

Jun 15, 2026

A fighter drew outrage and condemnation after promoting a conspiracy-laden smear about Michelle Obama during UFC’s Donald Trump birthday bash—but blue-chip sponsors responded in an entirely different way.

Bilton’s ‘60’ Séance

Jun 11, 2026

As "60 Minutes" struggles to recover from Bari Weiss's chaotic firings, new EP Nick Bilton quietly signaled an openness to bringing back one of the key figures she killed off the show, Status has learned.

Bari in the Bunker and Ellison at the Gates

Jun 9, 2026

Bari Weiss has been largely MIA and holed up in her secured sixth-floor suite at CBS News as David Ellison personally intervenes to assuage the concerns of rattled “60 Minutes” staffers, Status has learned.