CBS News Revives Town Halls with Sponsor, Eyes New Series in 2024

CBS News announced Thursday that it will continue to air a series of town hall programs, despite a rough start, with the support of a sponsor. The network plans to launch a new series called "Things That Matter" in the new year, featuring town halls and debates involving newsmakers and individuals shaping American life. The events will be held in front of audiences with a stake in the issue, in venues across the nation. According to a person familiar with the matter, the program will have a rotating series of hosts, and will feature a range of participants, including U.S. Vice President JD Vance, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who will take part in town halls. Debates will feature Isabel Brown and Harry Sisson, as well as Ross Douthat, a columnist for The New York Times. The decision to continue the series comes despite concerns from some advertisers about the format of the town halls, which have been criticized for being too confrontational. However, CBS News officials remain committed to the project, citing its potential to spark important discussions and debates about issues affecting American society. The concept of town halls is not new, and has been used in various forms around the world to facilitate public engagement and discussion. In the United States, town halls have a long history, dating back to the colonial era, when they were used as a means of community decision-making. In recent years, the format has been adopted by news organizations and other groups to provide a platform for public discussion and debate. The decision to continue the series has been welcomed by some, who see it as an opportunity to engage with newsmakers and individuals who are shaping American life. "This is a great opportunity for people to engage with the issues that matter most to them," said a spokesperson for the sponsor, who wished to remain anonymous. "We are excited to be a part of this project and to provide a platform for important discussions and debates." However, others have expressed concerns about the format and the potential for it to be used as a platform for partisan politics. "We need to be careful not to use town halls as a means of promoting a particular agenda or ideology," said a media critic. "Instead, we should be using them as a means of facilitating genuine public engagement and discussion." The "Things That Matter" series is set to launch in the new year, with a range of events and debates planned for the coming months. The exact schedule has not been released, but officials have confirmed that the series will be a regular feature of the CBS News programming lineup.