The CBS Evening News has officially launched its revamped format following the departure of anchor Norah O'Donnell, ushering in a new era for one of America’s oldest news programs. The changes, aimed at revitalizing the show's approach and content, debuted on Monday, January 27, 2025, with co-anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois leading the broadcast.
O'Donnell, who held the position of anchor and managing editor for more than five years and nearly 1,300 broadcasts, said farewell to viewers during her final show on January 23. "This has been the honor of a lifetime to anchor this legacy broadcast," O'Donnell expressed, highlighting her gratitude for the opportunity and the quality of journalism produced during her tenure. She explained her decision to step down, stating, "I will be leaving my role to take on new big investigations and interviews for various CBS News properties, such as '60 Minutes' and the 'Evening News.'" Her decision to exit follows her announcement last summer, emphasizing her desire for change after years of steady reporting, particularly through the tumultuous 2024 election.
The new format for the CBS Evening News introduces dual-anchors, Dickerson and DuBois, who are set to provide depth by focusing on fewer stories but with greater detail and live reporting from various locations, including political insights from Margaret Brennan. This fresh approach is intended to align more closely with the tenets of long-form journalism, reminiscent of classic programs like '60 Minutes'. Dickerson described the need for this shift: "People have the news all day in their pockets, and we’re not trying to compete with this. What we can share is the perspective from our experienced correspondents who strive to clarify the complicated world we live in."
The first broadcast under this new format featured stories highlighting the increasing concerns about artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on the Chinese company DeepSeek. Following the reporting style encouraged by executive producer Bill Owens, the program removed some traditional elements, eliminating clutter and prioritizing substantial reporting. Viewers were introduced to the innovative segments providing extensive coverage of significant topics such as the repercussions of California’s recent wildfires, underscoring the program's return to serious journalism. This rebranding seeks to remedy the CBS Evening News’ longstanding ratings issues, as it has been trailing behind competitors like ABC’s "World News Tonight" and NBC’s "Nightly News" for decades.
CBS's strategic pivot aims to address audience fatigue with rapid-fire news cycles and misinformation, reminiscent of the homogeneity found across numerous broadcasts. Within the show's framework, segments such as "RoundUp" are intended to offer rapid summaries of various stories, including national events, which make for relevant and timely discussions. Following its January 27 debut, viewer feedback was optimistic; many expressed appreciation for the slower, thoughtfully paced content, praising its resemblance to public broadcasting and highlighting its greater substance.
Despite the positive reception of this new format, challenges remain. The broadcast's recent history and familiarity with traditional formats pose risks, potentially igniting biases among established viewers. Critics, including O'Donnell herself, have pointed out concerns about the new all-male anchor team, with O'Donnell noting, "I think it’s important to have women in these lead anchor chairs, and I think it is a setback.” This concern reflects broader discussions within the industry about representation and diversity at high-profile news desks.
Transitioning from one anchor—where responsibility and style were easily defined—to two, introduces questions about role clarity and responsibility among the co-anchors. Supporters claim this dual approach can facilitate flexible storytelling and create dynamic interactions between the anchors and field reporters. This strategy aims to capitalize on CBS's strengths, providing coverage from its correspondents who operate on the front lines of various news stories.
The CBS Evening News, originally launched as public service journalism, is taking significant steps to cultivate trust among viewers, aiming not just for ratings, but genuine assurance of credibility. The changes correspond with CBS's interior shifts as it integrates more closely with CBS local stations and navigates corporate restructuring pressures.
Eyebrows were raised when it became apparent many aspects of the prior format were out of alignment with contemporary viewer expectations. The network has reportedly committed to simplifying their content, focusing on storytelling strength rather than merely chasing viewers with sensational headlines. Brian Steinberg of Variety noted, "O'Donnell didn’t change the show’s fortunes, but give her this: The show last week won averages of over 5 million viewers, indicating they still hold significant value among audiences. The newly introduced formats could serve to amplify this potential as they pivot under the legacy of trusted journalism."
The strategic boldness of this overhaul is evident, reflecting CBS’s will to risk the familiar comfort of singular anchors for the uncharted waters of cooperative journalism. While CBS Evening News has grappled with its identity, the hope is this new positioning allows for not only increased engagement from younger audiences but also restores faith among long-time viewers who value serious journalism.
Looking forward, executives and the new team remain hopeful about their path to elevatings the CBS Evening News— they want each episode to provide not just information, but the kind of deep insights energy-demanding consumers can genuinely value and integrate. Time will tell whether the resurrection of this storied program leads to sustainable success, but the initiative signifies positive steps toward reclaiming CBS’s position as a leader of trust and integrity within the world of broadcast news.