The ratings-challenged “CBS Evening News” is ready to make a dangerous pivot following the departure of Norah O’Donnell — scrapping the standard, anchor-driven format in favor of multi-anchor ensemble that may have the texture of a neighborhood information broadcast that the community hopes will convey again viewers.
O’Donnell, who helmed “Evening News” because it lagged behind within the rankings race towards opponents at ABC and NBC, signed off for the final time on Thursday — ending her stint as anchor and managing editor of the Tiffany Community’s nationwide nightly information program that started in the summertime of 2019.
John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, who’re up towards are set to succeed her as co-anchors, with their first broadcast scheduled for Monday.
O’Donnell will proceed to file long-form tales for “60 Minutes” and “CBS Sunday Morning.”
In July, O’Donnell introduced that she would vacate her position as anchor and managing editor after the 2024 presidential election to give attention to an expanded position on the community amid sagging viewership.
The choice got here months earlier than dad or mum Paramount World laid off some 2,000 staffers as a part of a transfer to chop $500 million from the funds forward of its merger with Skydance Media.
O’Donnell’s demotion was preceded by a major lower in pay as her wage was decreased by greater than half — from $8 million yearly to simply $3.8 million, The Publish reported in 2022.
The “Evening News” averaged simply 4.6 million complete viewers in the newest quarter and fewer than 670,000 in the important thing 25- to 54-year-old demographic — trailing “ABC World News Tonight” and “NBC Nightly News.”
Dickerson and DuBois, who shall be based mostly in New York, will co-anchor a revamped model of “Evening News,” in line with dad or mum firm Paramount World. O’Donnell had been broadcasting nightly from Washington, DC.
Below the brand new mannequin, “Evening News” will characteristic a rotating group of correspondents, every specializing in key topic areas similar to politics, worldwide affairs, know-how and investigative journalism.
As an alternative of counting on a single anchor delivering the information from behind a desk, this system will now incorporate reside studies, on-the-ground evaluation and a stronger emphasis on knowledgeable commentary.
Margaret Brennan, moderator of the Sunday political discuss present “Face the Nation,” will lead protection from Washington, DC, whereas Lonnie Quinn, a colleague of DuBois at WCBS-TV in New York, has been named chief weathercaster.
This shift aligns with broader business tendencies the place viewers search extra in-depth, visually immersive reporting fairly than typical studio-based broadcasts.
The transition additionally coincides with a broader restructuring of CBS’s information operations, reflecting the corporate’s shift towards a extra digital-centric method.
The community has already invested in enhanced graphics, digital units and new interactive storytelling instruments to create a extra immersive viewing expertise.
CBS may also lean closely on its international correspondents to supply on-location reporting, including a layer of immediacy and authenticity to the printed.
“The strength of CBS News has always been in its ensemble of journalists, both in front of and behind the camera, and our goal with John, Maurice, Margaret and Lonnie at the Evening News is to elevate the best in their fields every night for our viewers,” Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS Information and Stations, mentioned in a press launch.
