CBS News ushers in a new chapter for its flagship evening broadcast, naming Tony Dokoupil as sole anchor starting January 5, 2026, under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss’s direction. The move follows declining ratings and the departures of veterans John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, signaling a bold attempt to reverse the program’s third-place standing behind NBC Nightly News and ABC World News Tonight.
A Storied Legacy Under Pressure
The CBS Evening News boasts a storied history, once led by icons like Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Katie Couric. Yet persistent viewership struggles have pushed network leaders to overhaul the program. Weiss, appointed in October 2025 after Paramount’s $8 billion Skydance acquisition, carries a mandate to rebuild trust and engagement in a media environment marked by fragmented audiences and shifting habits.
Weiss’s Leadership Vision
Weiss, founder of The Free Press, seeks to introduce viewpoint diversity and challenge institutional narratives at CBS. Her approach emphasizes editorial integrity amid internal skepticism and ratings erosion. As the network navigates these changes, her success will test whether innovation can honor CBS’s traditional journalism roots while attracting modern viewers.
Anchor Departures and Dokoupil’s Rise
Dickerson, after 16 years, announced his exit in late October 2025, followed by DuBois in December, both linking their decisions to leadership shifts. Dokoupil, 46, steps up from co-hosting CBS Mornings since 2019. Though praised for global reporting, his lack of evening news experience has sparked backlash. Staff told The Independent the choice feels “mediocre” and an “insult” to the anchor legacy, highlighting tensions over Weiss’s decisions.
Internal and External Backlash
Gayle King voiced uncertainty on CBS Mornings with “What’s gonna happen to us?” amid fears of broader morning show changes. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow called CBS’s moves “a huge embarrassment,” tying them to moves like canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. A 2024 Dokoupil interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates on Israel-Palestine drew scrutiny for editorial lapses, though owner Shari Redstone defended him; Weiss had critiqued the network’s response in The Free Press.
Future Challenges and Stakes
CBS confronts formidable hurdles: reconciling staff dissent, viewer skepticism, and rival pressures while adapting to digital demands for diverse, fact-driven content. Weiss must balance revitalization with credibility, using metrics like ratings and engagement to measure progress. Public reactions split between optimism for fresh energy and doubts over Dokoupil’s credentials. The network’s trajectory will reveal if this overhaul restores its standing or deepens divides in a competitive broadcast arena.
Sources
CBS News – Tony Dokoupil Named Anchor of the CBS Evening News
Reuters – Tony Dokoupil Named ‘CBS Evening News’ Anchor in Major Overhaul
ABC News – CBS Appoints Tony Dokoupil as Anchor of Flagship CBS Evening News
New York Times – Tony Dokoupil Is Named Anchor of ‘CBS Evening News’
People Magazine – John Dickerson Announces Exit from CBS News After 16 Years Following Paramount Merger
People Magazine – Maurice DuBois Announces Exit from ‘CBS Evening News’
The Independent – CBS News Staff Grouse over ‘Mediocre’ Tony Dokoupil Getting ‘Evening News’ Gig
Variety – Rachel Maddow Urges Paramount to Reverse Stephen Colbert Firing
Variety – Tony Dokoupil Is Latest in Growing Parade of ‘CBS Evening News’ Anchors
Washington Post – John Dickerson, Anchor and Correspondent, Will Leave CBS News