CBS controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
DOJ opens Sherman Act antitrust investigation into five TV networks over suspended White House pool coverage
Investigation
The U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News violated the Sherman Act when they coordinated to briefly suspend pooled White House coverage of President Donald Trump after the Trump administration barred CNN from White House grounds. Justice Department officials contacted the five networks on Friday, asking them to provide communications and other materials related to the White House television pool, and the department publicly acknowledged the Sherman Act inquiry on Saturday. The DOJ says it is examining whether the networks' actions amount to an unlawful group boycott; no determination has been made.
Source excerpt
The Justice Department said in a statement that it is examining whether the White House TV press pool — a group of broadcasters including CNN, Fox News, ABC, CBS and NBC — violated the Sherman Act by temporarily halting pooled TV coverage of Trump.
Television pool coverage of the White House has also resumed.
The announcement came after the television pool of five broadcasters ceased presidential coverage last month after the administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.
2021
Woman files lawsuit against Dr. Phil show and CBS over alleged treatment-center abuse
Lawsuit filed
A 19-year-old Colorado woman filed a lawsuit against the “Dr. Phil” show, CBS and related organizations, alleging that the show and people involved with it misrepresented Turn-About Ranch to her and her family. The article reports allegations in the lawsuit, not a court finding.
Source excerpt
The lawsuit filed in California against McGraw, the "Dr. Phil" show, CBS and related organizations claims the show and people involved with it misrepresented the ranch to Archuleta and her family.
A 19-year-old Colorado woman who claims she was sexually assaulted while at Turn-About Ranch, a treatment center for youth in Utah, filed two lawsuits this week — one against the ranch and another against "Dr. Phil" and CBS.
2021
CBS and Leslie Moonves settle exit-package dispute
Settlement
CBS and former CEO Leslie Moonves settled their dispute over his potential exit package. ViacomCBS said the disputes had been resolved; Moonves said he would donate the settlement amount to charity, and the company said it would make no payment.
Source excerpt
In the joint statement with ViacomCBS, Moonves said he would donate the entire settlement amount to charity.
“The disputes between Mr. Moonves and CBS have now been resolved,” ViacomCBS said Friday in a statement.
Broadcasting giant CBS and former chief executive officer Leslie Moonves, who was ousted from the company in 2018 after a sexual harassment scandal, settled their contentious dispute over the longtime television executive’s hoped-for US$120-million exit package.
2020
CBS sues security firm over stolen equipment
Lawsuit filed
CBS filed a federal lawsuit seeking damages from a security firm over the theft of 64 CBS cameras and other equipment during the 2019 PGA Championship. According to the filing, the equipment was stolen while under the security firm's responsibility. CBS's claim is that the firm failed to secure the equipment. The lawsuit seeks damages from the security firm. The alleged failure to protect the equipment is presented as CBS's claim rather than an established finding.
Stated objective. Seek damages from the security firm.
Source excerpt
That’s according to a lawsuit the network filed in federal court seeking damages from a security firm CBS says should have, well, secured things.
Brooks Koepka may have walked away from the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black with another Wanamaker Trophy, but thieves walked away with 64 CBS cameras and other equipment.
2020
California sues Disney and CBS over harassment claims
Lawsuit filed
California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued The Disney Company and CBS, among others, alleging that employers allowed a cinematographer on Criminal Minds to sexually harass and retaliate against crew members.
Source excerpt
A cinematographer on TV show Criminal Minds was allowed to grope male crew members by employers who condoned his conduct, a US legal action alleges.
The Disney Company, CBS and Mr St Johns are among the defendants being sued by California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).
2020
Viewers call for a boycott of 60 Minutes after its Gallagher interview
Public backlash
After 60 Minutes aired an interview with Edward Gallagher, viewers criticized the outlet for giving him airtime and called for a boycott of 60 Minutes.
Source excerpt
Monday, March 2, 2020 at 1:05 PM PST
While 60 Minutes attempted to showcase the criminal as a war veteran and hero, many viewers saw through this facade and called the outlet out on Twitter for glorifying and giving airtime to a heartless war criminal and called to #Boycott60Minutes.
2019
Locast countersues broadcasters over alleged antitrust conduct
Lawsuit filed
In a dispute involving the nonprofit streaming service Locast and several broadcasters, Locast countersued ABC, CBS, Fox and NBCUniversal. According to the source, Locast alleged that the broadcasters engaged in antitrust conduct and colluded to grow their market power. The source reports these allegations but does not establish that any determination has been made. The event is recorded as a controversy note concerning CBS, based solely on the reported claims and without any finding of wrongdoing.
Source excerpt
Locast, a non-profit streaming service, has countersued Disney's ABC, CBS, Fox and Comcast's NBCUniversal, alleging the broadcasters engaged in antitrust conduct and colluded to grow their market power.
Locast, a nonprofit streaming service, has countersued Disney’s ABC, CBS, Fox and Comcast’s NBCUniversal, alleging the broadcasters engaged in antitrust conduct and colluded to grow their market power.
2019
CBS and Survivor producers respond to misconduct controversy
Company response
CBS and Survivor producers issued a formal response following Dan Spilo's removal from the show after an incident of unwanted touching involving a production staff member. CBS said it had investigated and removed a player, acknowledged that things could have been done differently, and described changes for future seasons. The article also reports earlier allegations of unwanted touching by contestant Kellee Kim.
Stated objective. CBS said it was determined to do better going forward.
Company response
Investigation — CBS
During the course of the production, we listened to the players intently, investigated responsibly and responded accordingly, including taking the unprecedented step of removing a player from the game
Remediation — CBS and Survivor producers
In their full statement, CBS and Survivor producers outline changes that will be implemented in future seasons of Survivor, including new “personal space” guidelines as well as an on-set executive specifically tasked with the management of sexual misconduct.
Source excerpt
He had weeks earlier been accused of unwanted touching by a fellow contestant, Kellee Kim, but remained on the show while Kim was eliminated.
CBS and the producers of Survivor have formally responded to the first-ever ejection of a contestant from the series.
Spilo was removed from the show following an incident of unwanted touching involving a member of the show’s production staff.
2019
CBS sued over alleged gender discrimination and retaliation
Lawsuit filed
An associate producer on CBS’s “60 Minutes” filed a lawsuit against CBS alleging gender discrimination and retaliation after she complained about her boss’s conduct. CBS News said it was reviewing the complaint, would defend against the lawsuit, and denied that retaliation occurred.
Company response
Investigation — CBS News
CBS News is in the process of reviewing the complaint filed by Ms. Vinograd
Denial — CBS News
CBS News vehemently denies there was any retaliation.
Source excerpt
CBS News is in the process of reviewing the complaint filed by Ms. Vinograd and plans to vigorously defend against this lawsuit.
CBS News vehemently denies there was any retaliation.
An associate producer on CBS current affairs TV show “60 Minutes” filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging gender discrimination and retaliation by the U.S. company after she said she complained about inappropriate conduct by her male boss.
2019
Former CBS executive files discrimination lawsuit against CBS
Lawsuit filed
Former CBS programming executive Ghen Maynard filed a lawsuit against CBS alleging age and race discrimination and claiming the network conducted a sham investigation into him.
Source excerpt
Ghen Maynard, 53, filed a lawsuit against CBS in California Superior Court in Los Angeles on Monday,
A former CBS programming executive is suing the network, alleging it discriminates based on age and race and that it conducted a “sham” investigation into him.
CBS News responded to the lawsuit with, “We stand by our reporting and we will vigorously defend this lawsuit.”
2013
CBS apologizes over an Amazing Race segment in Vietnam
Company response
After veterans criticized an episode of The Amazing Race filmed at a B-52 crash site in Vietnam as insensitive, CBS opened its Sunday show with an apology to veterans, their families, and viewers who were offended.
Company response
Apology — CBS
CBS, under fire from veterans for last week's episode of "The Amazing Race" that featured a segment in Vietnam filmed at the site of a crashed American B-52, opened Sunday's show with an apology.
Source excerpt
"Parts of last Sunday's episode, filmed in Vietnam, were insensitive to a group that is very important to us - our nation's veterans."
CBS, under fire from veterans for last week's episode of "The Amazing Race" that featured a segment in Vietnam filmed at the site of a crashed American B-52, opened Sunday's show with an apology.