The Press Box CBS’s Halloween "Bloodbath" and Michael Jordan as the NBA's Ombudsman. Plus: Vox’s Astead Herndon on Leaving The New York Times and the Future of the Democrats.
24 snips
Oct 31, 2025 
Astead Herndon, a former national politics reporter for The New York Times and now editorial director at Vox, dives into his reasons for leaving the Times, emphasizing the need for creative freedom and multimedia engagement. He discusses the evolving landscape of Democratic politics post-2020, highlighting trust issues and the importance of imaginative strategies over traditional polling. Astead also offers a sneak peek into his upcoming work at Vox, focusing on the accessibility of political coverage through short-form video formats.
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CBS News' Post-Merger Identity Crisis
- CBS News faces major layoffs and strategic uncertainty after the Paramount merger and new leadership.
- Hosts Bryan Curtis and Joel Anderson warn the cuts threaten international reporting and institutional quality.
Short-Term Cuts, Long-Term Vision Lost
- Curtis and Anderson argue media companies rarely plan long-term amid staff cuts and short-term hits.
- They say outlets scramble to be 'younger' or 'nimble' but often neglect simply doing better journalism.
Reuse Talent Across Platforms
- Integrate formats: reuse strong anchors' podcasts and video across the parent news brand.
- Combine reporting, audio, and video to meet audiences where they consume news today.
