CBS’s High-Stakes Town Hall with Bari Weiss and Erika Kirk Flops, Drawing Dismal Ratings and Losing Advertisers

CBS News took a major gamble this season by banking on the star power of Bari Weiss and Erika Kirk for a high-profile town hall special, but the results were nothing short of disastrous. Despite weeks of aggressive promotion—including primetime commercials, social media blitzes, and teaser segments—the event failed to resonate with viewers and advertisers alike, raising questions about the network’s future direction and its reputation as a serious news brand.

A Season’s Most Hyped Special

The CBS town hall was billed as a marquee event, aiming to spark national conversation and attract a broad audience. The network pulled out all the stops: Weiss, a journalist known for her provocative takes and independent streak, and Kirk, a rising conservative voice, were positioned as the perfect duo to bridge divides and energize debate. The anticipation was palpable, with CBS executives touting the special as a must-watch moment in American media.

Advertisers Pull Out, Ratings Plummet

Yet, as the curtain rose, the cracks began to show. Leading up to the broadcast, several top advertisers quietly pulled their spots, reportedly concerned about the polarizing nature of the hosts and the uncertain tone of the conversation. The drop in ad revenue was a troubling sign for CBS, which relies on such specials to attract premium sponsors.

The ratings delivered the final blow. According to Variety, the town hall drew only about 1.9 million viewers—making it one of the least watched hours on broadcast television this season. For a legacy network like CBS, which still views its news division as a pillar of credibility and influence, the numbers were a gut punch.

Why Did It Fail?

Media analysts point to several factors behind the town hall’s flop. First, the choice of hosts, while bold, may have alienated core CBS viewers who expect a more traditional, balanced approach to news. Weiss and Kirk, both known for their outspoken views, struggled to connect with a mainstream audience. The format, which promised lively debate, instead delivered awkward exchanges and failed to generate the viral moments that drive engagement in today’s media landscape.

Second, the timing couldn’t have been worse. The special aired opposite major sporting events and streaming releases, siphoning away potential viewers. Some critics also noted that CBS’s relentless promotion may have backfired, creating unrealistic expectations that the broadcast simply couldn’t meet.

A Blow to CBS’s News Brand

For CBS, the town hall’s poor performance is more than just a ratings disappointment—it’s a reputational issue. The network has long prided itself on serious journalism and sober analysis, and the spectacle of a heavily hyped, low-rated special threatens to undermine that legacy. Insiders say there is already internal debate about the wisdom of chasing “event television” at the expense of the network’s core values.

Looking Forward

As CBS executives regroup and assess what went wrong, the episode serves as a cautionary tale for the entire industry. In an era of fragmented audiences and fierce competition, even the biggest networks cannot afford to misjudge what viewers want—or need—from their news programming. Whether CBS will double down on star-driven specials or return to its roots remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Bari Weiss and Erika Kirk town hall was a bet that didn’t pay off.