CBS Likely to Cast New Eye on ‘Evening News’ After Wendy McMahon Exit

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Expect new headlines soon out of “CBS Evening News.”

Following a significant revamp earlier in the year, the long-established evening news broadcast – with connections to Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather – is expected to undergo some new changes and adjustments. According to sources familiar with CBS News, this program is high on the list of tasks for Tom Cibrowski, the newly appointed leader of CBS News. His strategic decisions carry even more weight now that his superior, Wendy McMahon, announced her departure from the company on Monday.

Ever since the new format was introduced in January, featuring John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois as the dual anchors, and a focus on enterprise and feature reporting rather than breaking news, I’ve noticed a noticeable drop in viewership for the “CBS Evening News”. Compared to Norah O’Donnell’s last week, the average number of viewers during the five days starting May 5 was only 3.63 million, according to Nielsen data, while it was approximately 4.89 million during her tenure.

Two individuals well-versed in CBS News believe that Cibrowski will swiftly address boosting the show’s audience numbers, as they have been lagging behind those of its primary competitors, ABC’s “World News Tonight” and NBC’s “NBC Nightly News.” In the past week, the ABC broadcast attracted an average of approximately 7.27 million viewers, while the NBC program garnered an average of around 5.64 million.

CBS News declined to make executives available for comment.

The “CBS Evening News” has been structured to offer viewers an alternative to the typical programming during that time slot. On the other hand, “NBC Nightly News” is preparing for a change, as Lester Holt, who has been at the anchor desk for roughly a decade, is stepping down, and Tom Llamas, a former ABC News host who was often speculated to be a potential successor to David Muir, is set to take over. CBS executives believe that NBC News could benefit from adopting a strategy more similar to ABC’s, which has led them to develop strategies to distinguish their evening news program from the competition.

At a critical juncture, “CBS Evening News” undergoes significant changes. The news division is currently facing scrutiny from its parent company Paramount Global, who are involved in ongoing settlement discussions regarding a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration. This lawsuit stems from an interview with former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on “60 Minutes” last year, which Trump alleges misled voters ahead of the 2024 election. These circumstances have led Paramount to intensify their demands on “60 Minutes,” resulting in the resignation of Bill Owens, the show’s executive producer, and contributing to McMahon’s departure as well. Furthermore, with ratings for “Evening News” declining since its overhaul, there is a mounting feeling that Paramount may not be as understanding if the show fails to attract an audience quickly.

It’s also challenging to determine what type of news content appeals most to viewers currently. While some still prefer the traditional evening news recap, complete with brief updates on the day’s events and uplifting segments showcasing acts of kindness and innovative ideas from across the USA, others find it easier to stay updated minute-by-minute by keeping tabs on the web and social media. For instance, last week, a combined total of approximately 16.5 million viewers tuned in to “CBS Evening News,” “NBC Nightly News,” and ABC’s “World News Tonight” as per Nielsen ratings. However, it’s clear that more people are choosing this method for staying informed throughout the day. In an AI-driven future, a devoted news enthusiast might be able to receive a comprehensive summary of breaking news across various topics with a single well-designed query, potentially rendering traditional evening news summaries obsolete.

Some elements influenced the redesign of the “CBS Evening News” structure. The program aims to provide viewers with content not found elsewhere, a goal which necessitates long-time Washington Bureau members like Nancy Cordes and Ed O’Keefe to explore stories across the country that delve into the potential future implications of current news rather than just reporting on today’s events.

The absence of a quick link to a broader audience might shift attention towards the presentation and ambiance of “Evening News.” Is it necessary to have two anchors? Could there be more breaking news at the start of the program? These are among the questions that need swift answers, and depending on the responses, the show may need to appear less unique from its competitors in terms of format.

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2025-05-19 22:46