Industry insiders say new CBS News President Tom Cibrowski is planning major changes to the format of the “Evening News” with sources suggesting he intends to cut one of the program’s two current anchors.
According to people familiar with the situation, Cibrowski is weighing adjustments that could see either John Dickerson or Maurice DuBois removed from their anchor chair.
These potential shifts come as CBS continues to face stiff competition in the crowded evening news market. Dickerson and DuBois have shared the desk since the network introduced the two-anchor approach earlier this year, each bringing distinct strengths and appeal to the audience.
Dickerson, formerly the host of “Face the Nation” and a longtime CBS News correspondent, moved to the “Evening News” desk as part of a broader programming strategy. DuBois joined from WCBS-TV in New York, where he had become a fixture as a leading local news figure.
The choice to possibly move back to a single anchor mirrors wider industry trends toward leaner formats and cost-cutting measures. In recent years, many networks have tested different anchor setups in search of more efficient production and stronger viewer connection.
Sources indicate Cibrowski is conducting a thorough review of the newscast’s overall structure and performance. Changes under consideration go beyond just anchor roles and could affect other aspects of the show’s style and content.
Since launching on January 27 with Dickerson and DuBois, the broadcast’s ratings have steadily dipped, according to Nielsen figures. The debut drew 5.2 million total viewers, but the average for the first week had already fallen to 4.8 million.
The second week saw about 300,000 fewer viewers, and by the week ending February 16—the third week—the audience dropped to just under 4.5 million, the data shows.
A source close to CBS News said the decline was “not a surprise.”
“When there’s an anchor change, ratings usually dip at first,” the source explained.
Experts say evening news programs are under increasing strain to hold onto viewers in a changing media environment. Broadcast networks now contend not only with one another, but also with cable outlets, streaming platforms, and online news sources for audience attention.
The timing of these potential changes comes as viewing habits continue to shift. Networks regularly reassess their strategies to keep up with evolving demographics and media consumption, especially as younger audiences gravitate toward digital news.
CBS News has not issued a statement about the reported changes, nor have representatives for Dickerson or DuBois commented. The network typically keeps programming decisions under wraps until they are finalized.
Dual-anchor formats have been used by many outlets to offer a broader range of perspectives and reach more viewers. Still, some industry observers believe a single anchor can give a show a stronger identity and clearer editorial direction.
From a production standpoint, a single anchor often requires fewer resources and simplifies the editorial workflow, whereas two anchors can provide more versatility in delivering stories and dividing reporting duties.
The possible changes come as CBS News remains locked in a tight ratings race with NBC Nightly News and ABC World News Tonight. All three networks frequently tweak their approaches to maintain or improve audience share.
Earlier this year, longtime anchor Jeff Glor—formerly of “CBS Saturday Morning” and “CBS Evening News”—was among those let go during sweeping cuts at Paramount Global. The downsizing also affected correspondents Anna Werner, Roxana Saberi, and senior investigative reporter Catherine Herridge, all part of roughly 20 staff layoffs in February.
By mid-May, CBS News quietly ended three long-serving leadership positions: Andre Rodriguez (North Bureau Chief), Maryhelen Campa (Southern Region Bureau Chief), and Chad Cross, Senior VP of Beats & Enterprise. Their departures were tied to a centralization effort driven by financial constraints and the ongoing merger with Skydance.
Here’s a paragraph you can add at the end of your article:
As of August 28, 2025, CBS News has made additional changes to stabilize the struggling “Evening News” broadcast. In late August, the network appointed Kim Harvey as the new executive producer, replacing Guy Campanile who had overseen the initial format overhaul. Harvey, a veteran CBS News producer who has worked at the “Evening News” for nearly a decade, becomes only the second woman to helm the flagship newscast in its 77-year history. The leadership change comes as the program continues to face ratings challenges, with viewership declining further since the January relaunch.
Under Tom Cibrowski’s direction, CBS News appears to be making incremental adjustments to the broadcast format, though no major anchor changes have been announced. The network has yet to comment on whether additional format modifications are planned as it seeks to reverse the program’s third-place standing in the competitive evening news landscape.