CBS Put ‘Evening News’ Through Massive Overhaul. Now It Needs People to Watch

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For years, “CBS Evening News” has been a regular companion during dinners for many of its audience members. Lately, however, some of the stories it’s broadcast have been so startling that they might cause viewers to pause mid-meal.

Reporter Nikki Battiste recently visited New Jersey, gaining access to the room of a person suffering from ALS who had decided to end her life. The footage ended just prior to the woman taking medication that would induce a deep sleep before her passing – a legal procedure under state law. At the same time, foreign correspondent Debora Patta successfully entered Sudan after two years of attempts, and provided a heart-wrenching account of the struggles faced by children there who were once promised aid from the now-closed United States Agency for International Development. A baby featured in the report was emaciated, struggling to move, and visibly blind in one eye.

In the realm of movie enthusiasts like myself, it’s safe to say that both narratives were granted ample time to unfold – a luxury usually reserved for epics, given that the show only runs for a brief 30-minute span, with a significant portion dedicated to advertisements. As I chatted on the phone from Cape Town recently, Patta shared his thoughts: “A story this rich can’t be condensed into a mere 90 seconds,” he emphasized. “Simply put, it just can’t.

CBS is attempting an overhaul at a potentially difficult moment, as they strive to revamp the traditional evening news format on TV, which continues to provide the day’s major stories for commuters returning home – even if these events have already been discussed extensively on cable and social media. “CBS Evening News” has consistently ranked third behind ABC and NBC for quite some time, but it maintains a strong reputation within Paramount Global’s network due to its rich history dating back to Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite. CBS News’ major transformation is taking place amidst industry turmoil: The TV news sector is grappling with numerous obstacles to attract digital viewers, while Paramount awaits regulatory approval for a potential acquisition by Skydance Media, in the meantime making substantial cost cuts. Last week, CBS revealed their intention to cease original programming during the 12:30 a.m. hour following Taylor Tomlinson’s decision to focus solely on stand-up comedy.

This period is challenging when it comes to determining what viewers prefer in terms of news content. A significant number of people still appreciate the traditional evening recap, featuring brief updates on daily events, sprinkled with uplifting stories and innovative ideas from various parts of America, interspersed with ads for medications like Librela and Rinvoq. Last week, approximately 17.3 million viewers tuned in to “CBS Evening News,” “NBC Nightly News,” and ABC’s “World News Tonight” as per Nielsen data. However, an increasing number of individuals can stay updated on real-time news developments throughout the day by keeping tabs on the web and social media. In an AI-driven future, a news enthusiast might be able to receive a comprehensive roundup of recent breaking news across various topics using a well-designed search query, potentially making traditional evening summaries redundant.

To engage viewers effectively with quality journalism may not always be straightforward, as preferences for consuming news vary among audiences and generations. As per Kate West, an assistant professor at the Moody School of Communication, University of Texas at Austin, it’s crucial to adapt to the diverse platforms where people are currently obtaining their news. It’s no longer viable to assume they will only watch the evening news broadcast.

It might be because CBS introduced an “Evening News” variant that stands out from the norm on traditional broadcast television.

The “Evening News” features not one, but two anchors – John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, deviating from the traditional single-voice format that many viewers are accustomed to. Unlike other news broadcasts, this particular “Evening News” doesn’t typically kick off each evening with a rapid-fire sequence of headlines, and on numerous days it offers less coverage of President Donald Trump’s daily announcements. Instead, it highlights the international reporters who contribute to its production, sometimes allowing them to appear before commercial breaks to tease their upcoming stories and encourage viewers to stay tuned.

Instead of anchoring from typical locations like the White House or U.S. Capitol, CBS News reporters are frequently broadcasting from various places such as Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and even international spots. This strategy aims to make viewers associate “CBS Evening News” with “60 Minutes,” another popular CBS program. In fact, Bill Owens, the executive producer of “60 Minutes,” is now also in charge of “Evening News.

He mentions that on Mondays, conversations often revolve around topics discussed on ’60 Minutes’. Every evening, we strive to present these topics multiple times within our stories. These endeavors generate unique content that isn’t found elsewhere, avoiding the repetition by cable commentators and tech-savvy individuals. This material might find a fresh audience through platforms like TikTok or YouTube, appealing to people who have grown weary of constant and grim reports about worsening weather conditions, democratic regression, and foreign conflicts.

As a passionate moviegoer, I’ve been keeping an eye on the ratings for the revamped “CBS Evening News.” Ever since its premiere post-President Trump’s second inauguration, it seems that viewers haven’t been rushing to catch it as much as before. In fact, overall viewership has dropped by about 800,000 people, and more than 200,000 within the age group of 25-54 – a demographic highly valued in news advertising.

However, these initial figures don’t tell the whole story. CBS research indicates growing curiosity towards “Evening News” in cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Phoenix. Intriguingly, there’s been a spike in viewers who appreciate the program for providing context and perspective. Moreover, views on the “CBS Evening News: YouTube channel have seen a 25% increase in March compared to the same period last year.

So while the numbers may suggest a decline, there are positive signs of revival that give me hope as a dedicated viewer.

CBS has caused some confusion by removing certain Friday broadcasts of “Evening News” from Nielsen’s ratings count using a method called “retitling,” according to two sources familiar with the situation. Essentially, CBS renames a lower-rated broadcast to avoid inclusion in Nielsen’s assessment of the show’s regular, properly titled episodes. While other networks also employ this tactic, it suggests that CBS might not be fully satisfied with their recent performance.

Executives express a cautious optimism regarding the future direction of “Evening News.” They acknowledge that each program change can cause some viewers to switch channels, or ‘churn,’ but they’re relieved that the recent drop-off isn’t as steep as it was during previous anchor changes. It seems they might be learning from past experiences. For instance, when CBS revamped its morning show and brought in Charlie Rose, Gayle King, and Erica Hill for “CBS This Morning,” the network faced several months of rating fluctuations, as reported by sources familiar with the program’s progression. By 2025, “CBS Mornings” is still in third place, but it has seen growth in specific key demographics, and has narrowed the gap between itself and “Good Morning America” in the crucial audience aged 25 to 54.

The primary motivation for those working on “Evening News” is their ability to create a program that caters more to viewers’ and journalism enthusiasts’ expressed desires, while minimizing what they find less appealing. Behind the scenes, staff members express satisfaction with the extended airtime for their stories and increased screen presence. The focus has shifted towards comprehensive reporting, with more correspondents stationed in locations other than New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on examining the impact of White House policies on working-class individuals. “Breaking news” headlines are scarcely seen at the bottom of the screen, and fewer interruptions occur to inform viewers about developing stories during the broadcast. As DuBois puts it, “We may cover breaking news, but only if it reaches a specific level of importance.

This period represents a significant challenge as we determine what content will captivate audiences in an era dominated by streaming video, where traditional TV models are rapidly changing. In recent times, viewers have shown preference towards news programs that incorporate drama, debates, and numerous engaging elements on-screen. For instance, “The Five,” a popular cable news show, frequently involves liberal panelist Jessica Tarlov engaging in heated discussions with her conservative counterparts. Similarly, CNN’s rising program is “News Night,” an evening panel discussion where Abby Phillip skillfully moderates political contributors from diverse backgrounds.

Meanwhile, CBS has attempted to carve out a unique route. Some of the most popular programs in broadcast news are CBS’s Sunday shows, such as “Sunday Morning” and “60 Minutes.” To some extent, CBS has already incorporated elements of its Sunday Morning staple into its weekday program. Now, they aim to infuse their Evening News with a touch of the Sunday atmosphere.

“It’s the big bet,” acknowledges Dickerson of the new format.

According to Wendy McMahon, the executive at CBS responsible for news, local stations, and syndicated programs, such actions are essential. She explains, “We were in third place.” Continuing to produce a nightly product that mirrors our competitors, she suggests, is a promise to remain in third place.

Under McMahon’s leadership, CBS has revamped its news division in a bold approach, swiftly eliminating barriers between CBS News and local stations. Two new companion shows for “CBS Mornings” and “CBS Evening News” are being developed, designed to stream and be broadcast on local stations that opt to feature them. Some prominent CBS News personnel, including Norah O’Donnell and Jeff Glor, have received new roles or chosen to leave the company.

As the summer approaches, the evening landscape of news broadcasting may undergo a significant shift. Long-time NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt is set to retire, paving the way for Tom Llamas to take over. Previously tipped as a potential successor to David Muir at ABC, Llamas’ arrival could potentially bring a more ABC-like feel to NBC Nightly News, making it stand out even more among its competitors. As a movie reviewer might say, the stage is set for an interesting evolution in evening news programming. With change comes uncertainty, but I have faith that our show will hit its stride once the anchor switch at NBC occurs.

Instead of luring viewers from competitors, the primary strategy isn’t about that. McMahon often refers to the 50-50 dilemma, which suggests that half of the people desire an evening news program that summarizes the day’s events and the other half claims they don’t need it because they’ve already seen the headlines throughout the day. David Muir’s show seems to cater excellently to that 50%, McMahon notes. The opportunity, however, lies in the audience that says they need a compelling reason to watch evening news again – will it offer new insights, will it explore rather than repeat what they’ve already seen? This is the key factor we are banking on when planning our approach.

A significant portion of setting up the latest “Evening News” is shouldered by Guy Campanile, an experienced CBS News professional with a long career that includes collaborating with Scott Pelley, Katie Couric, and “60 Minutes.” With only a few hours until the new “Evening News” airs, he’s anticipating updates from correspondents scattered across the nation. Some of these updates are arriving quite close to the deadline.

Today, we’ve got a reporter stationed in Arkansas sharing a woman’s claim that her husband may have been wrongfully detained and sent to El Salvador. The evidence suggests he was not involved with any organized group or has a criminal background. He had to visit an ICE office as part of the asylum seeking process, but instead of being released, they kept him there. We now fear he’s being held in prison. This story is broadcasted, complete with interviews and dramatic footage, amidst headlines predicting President Trump’s potential executive order to dissolve the Department of Education.

The “Evening News” now places less focus on its anchors and instead highlights its correspondents more prominently. For instance, Scott Pelley’s former office at the headquarters, once adorned with a rack of weights and a large maritime painting, no longer serves as the main focal point. Instead, reporters like Nancy Cordes and Ed O’Keefe are venturing out to different locations, such as Baltimore and Ontario respectively, in order to provide viewers with diverse perspectives on issues like government policies affecting families with children with Down Syndrome or the impact of Trump tariffs on electricity from Canada.

DuBois and Dickerson may not have traditionally been prepared for their roles as evening news anchors, marking a shift in how these positions were filled historically. In fact, Dickerson, who has previously worked as a writer for Time and Slate, is well-known to CBS News viewers due to his appearances on “Face The Nation” and “CBS This Morning.” Moreover, he hosts a half-hour segment of “CBS Evening News Plus,” which airs immediately following the end of the nightly “CBS Evening News.” On the other hand, DuBois has spent most of his career at WNBC and WCBS in New York. His calm and composed demeanor stands in stark contrast to Dickerson’s energetic, engaged presentation style. As DuBois puts it, “I know the difference between 9/11 and another story. There are times when your hair needs to be on fire, and there are times when you need to realize that this is just a story to inform the viewers.

In the near future, reporters might receive more attention. “We plan to redesign our newsroom so we can incorporate our team of journalists into our broadcast,” says Campanile, who imagines a tracking camera being used to “move in and move out, giving our audience a glimpse of us at work.

Dickerson and DuBois are keen to create their own stories, yet it’s unlikely they’ll rush off to cover a school shooting or significant tornado destruction. Typically, such events are handled by local reporters who are familiar with the affected regions.

In a time when capturing attention is challenging, Dickerson believes this fresh format will benefit those who adopt it. Unlike traditional newscasts, he explains, this one isn’t reliant on the rhythm of Washington for its evening schedule. Instead, it provides space for reflection. As he puts it, “Unlike some other news outlets that pack 18 stories into the first five minutes, we don’t flood our viewers with multiple headlines repeated throughout the segment.

A news program known for longer stories and enterprise journalism often receives critical praise but has a smaller viewer base compared to other broadcasts. Specifically, “PBS News Hour” attracts approximately 1.9 million viewers each night. Behind the scenes, program executives are putting greater effort into expanding their reach through digital media.

There’s a concern that the changes could lead “Evening News” viewers to explore other options, according to Mark Feldstein, head of the broadcast journalism department at University of Maryland. He questions, “What if this doesn’t work out, then what follows?” If ratings drop significantly during a time when cost reduction is a priority, might they consider, “It’s not the original Coke anymore, and there won’t be as many people who will miss it?

Executives believe continually sharing intelligent narratives will eventually catch people’s interest. When questioned about whether viewers are prepared for a fresh format demanding more attention, Campanile asserts that “viewers won’t be ready unless you demonstrate what you plan to do. After showing them, you must provide them an opportunity to decide. That opportunity – it requires time,” he explains, pointing out that even “60 Minutes” had to battle for attention in its initial stages. “This isn’t something that occurs in a week, two weeks, or even two months. You need to make the investment,” he stresses.

CBS News can continuously prepare the scene, but ultimately it’s up to the viewers to decide when they’re ready to partake.

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2025-04-02 18:48