Incoming CBS News President Susan Zirinsky Appears at CBS Super Bowl Media Day

By A.J. Katz 

Susan Zirinsky wants you to “get your goddamn earbuds and get with it!”

The incoming CBS News president was speaking enthusatically about CBSN, the network’s 24/7 streaming news service during what was her inaugural appearance at the CBS Super Bowl media day, which was held today in New York.

Adweek TV/Media Editor Jason Lynch covered the event for Adweek/TVNewser.

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Before getting into the CBS News properties, Zirinsky admitted that she actually wanted to work at CBS Sports when she first arrived at the network in the early ’70s. “My first job at CBS was as a freelance AD, cutting highlight packages at a truck in Baltimore,” she recalled. “It was short lived when I turned to the video tape operator, and said, “Excuse me, could you explain what a ‘1st and 10 is?”

“We at CBS News really can add a context and perspective to the game,” she continued. “For the entire week before the game, CBS News will be sharing stories around the Super Bowl, from Atlanta’s rolling out the red carpet and prep for the event, to the economic impact, to some of the human stories behind the athletes.”

Zirinsky also announced that Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan will broadcast live from Atlanta on the day of Super Bowl LIII. The big game will take place on Feb. 3, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Zirinsky said that Brennan will be joined by longtime CBS Sports host and CBS News special correspondent James Brown, and CBS This Morning Saturday co-host (and ESPN alum) Dana Jacobson on the special broadcast.

The longtime senior executive producer of 48 Hours will officially step into the role of CBS News president on March 1. Outgoing president David Rhodes will remain at CBS in an advisory role.

Later in the presentation, CBS Sports chairman (and former CBS News chief) Sean McManus was asked if President Trump will be sitting down with a CBS Newser for the traditional Super Bowl interview.

You might recall that Trump refused to sit down with NBC’s Lester Holt for the annual Super Bowl interview last year.

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