David Ellison's centrist claim faces scrutiny from polling data

David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, recently asserted that 70% of Americans identify as centrist during an appearance on CNBC. He stated that CBS News and potentially CNN would focus on this demographic, aiming to reach those who identify as center-left and center-right. However, this claim is contradicted by recent polling data. A YouGov survey published in January indicates that only 40% of U.S. adults identify as center-left, center, or center-right. Similarly, Pew Research found that 41% fall into these categories, while Gallup reported that 54% identify as either Democrats or Republicans.

Ellison's assertion appears to be a strategic narrative aimed at positioning his media outlets as appealing to a broad audience. He has emphasized the need for civil discourse and a neutral perspective in news programming. Despite his claims, polling data suggests that the centrist audience he aims to attract may not be as large as he suggests. Daniel Cassino, a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, noted that while a centrist-oriented news organization could find success, it would face significant challenges due to the predominance of partisan viewers.

The early performance of Ellison's media ventures has been mixed, with CBS Evening News reaching a new low in viewership. This raises questions about the viability of his strategy to cater to a centrist audience, as the existing data indicates a more partisan viewership landscape.

What to watch: The upcoming ratings for CBS News and CNN will reveal whether Ellison's centrist strategy can attract the intended audience.