John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois named anchors of ‘CBS Evening News’ in major overhaul

John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois named anchors of 'CBS Evening News' in major overhaul

As an avid news consumer and long-time admirer of CBS News, I must say that I am intrigued by this new dual-anchor format for the “CBS Evening News.” Having grown up in the era of Walter Cronkite, I remember the authority and trust that came with his nightly broadcasts. It’s fascinating to see how modern networks like CBS are adapting to today’s digital age while still maintaining their traditional values.


After Norah O’Donnell steps down from the anchor desk post-November’s presidential election, CBS plans to revamp its evening news program.

On Thursdays, it was shared that “CBS Evening News,” which continues to attract up to 5 million viewers each evening, will feature two anchors and leverage correspondents from its other well-known programs within the division.

John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, who work as a political editor for CBS News and local news anchor for WCBS in New York, respectively, will take charge of the updated broadcast. The show is set to return to its original location at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City, having been stationed in Washington for several years where O’Donnell was previously based.

For the first time, the network has experimented with a multi-host structure, pairing Dan Rather and Connie Chan.

In the mid-1990s, they experimented with a new arrangement. Later, in 2005, ABC News attempted it again with Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff, as they took over from the late Peter Jennings. However, neither duo managed to boost the ratings of their shows.

In this latest update, CBS News is adopting a two-presenter layout, often referred to as an “ensemble” strategy, which expands airtime for their news correspondents, including those from the popular news magazine “60 Minutes,” that typically outranks other prime-time shows on non-sports nights. Margaret Brennan, who hosts “Face the Nation” in Washington D.C., will also play a significant part in this new format.

Bill Owens, who has been managing “60 Minutes” since 2019, will now oversee the production of “CBS Evening News,” along with his existing responsibilities. Wendy McMahon, CEO of CBS News and Stations as well as CBS Media Ventures, stated that she is assigning Owens this role to ensure that the evening news broadcast can draw upon the unique qualities of “60 Minutes.”

The newsmagazine has never had a single host, long relying on a cadre of correspondents.

In a recent interview, Owens expressed that our focus should primarily revolve around the reporters themselves, rather than just one individual. He clarified that while we’re not aiming to replicate ’60 Minutes’, we do aspire to embody its values. We prefer not to mimic others but to set our own path instead.

After O’Donnell declared her departure from the anchor chair following a five-year tenure to assume a senior correspondent position, the show now holds the third spot in evening broadcast news ratings. It trails behind “ABC World News Tonight With David Muir” and “NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt.”

John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois named anchors of 'CBS Evening News' in major overhaul

Modern television news broadcasts, once influential as agenda-setters during the time of Walter Cronkite, no longer hold that same position. Despite the internet revolutionizing the news industry, established programs continue to attract over 17 million viewers each night, as indicated by Nielsen statistics.

The audience is largely older, as younger viewers have migrated to streaming platforms.

Over the past 17 years since Dan Rather departed his role in 2004, following a 25-year tenure, CBS has experimented with various anchors. Among them is Katie Couric, who spent five years at CBS after being enticed away from NBC’s “Today” show.

As a film critic reminiscing about the past, I must confess that for quite some time now, this particular network has been grappling with maintaining its edge in the competitive landscape. The struggle can be traced back to the mid-90s when it encountered a significant loss of affiliates. These affiliates were crucial, as they would often provide compelling audience introductions through their local news broadcasts – a powerful tool that helped bolster viewership numbers for our network.

According to Owens, the new format for “CBS Evening News” is designed to set it apart from rival programs. This revamp includes fewer stories but extended reports and analyses from the news division’s leading journalists.

In the spirit of Cronkite’s illustrious era, I find this method could serve as a refreshing alterative to today’s swift, image-centric television news broadcasts, according to my perspective, Owens stated.

CBS appoints long-time “60 Minutes” professional Guy Campanile as the new executive producer for the “CBS Evening News”. He is set to take over from Adam Verdugo, who has been in this position since 2022.

Dickerson and DuBois are both set to go live on air for our breaking news coverage. On July 13, they had a practice run together as they reported on the attempted assassination attempt against ex-President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Since joining CBS Network in 2009, Dickerson has taken on his fourth major role, with his analytical skills well recognized. He is the offspring of Nancy Dickerson, a highly respected woman network correspondent from the 1960s.

Previously working for Time Magazine, a seasoned journalist from Washington, named John Dickerson, took over the role of moderator from Bob Schieffer for “Face the Nation,” which is CBS’s popular Sunday discussion series.

In 2017, following Charlie Rose’s departure from “CBS This Morning” due to sexual misconduct claims, Dickerson assumed a co-host position. However, he only held this role for a year before being reassigned to a correspondent position instead.

Since the year 2022, he has been hosting a nightly program titled “The Daily Report” on CBS News’ 24/7 streaming service. This is one of the division’s streaming platforms. McMahon mentioned that Dickerson will maintain his presence on this platform. Additionally, he co-hosts the podcast “Political Gabfest,” which is produced by Slate.

58-year-old DuBois has served as the evening news anchor for WCBS in New York City since 2004, and prior to that, he was well-known at the city’s NBC affiliate.

Although DuBois may not be universally recognized, he’s often stepped in as a temporary host for “CBS Evening News,” making him recognizable to regular viewers. Known for his polished presentation style, he has a wealth of experience managing breaking news stories at local broadcasting stations.

“We’ve done our homework,” said McMahon. “We feel quite confident about his value to our audience.”

The adjustments take place during a period of major transitions at CBS. It is anticipated that the financial management, including budgets and wages, at CBS News will face review when Paramount Global assumes control as the parent company next year.

In a recent decision, the company’s governing body, along with its major stockholder Shari Redstone, gave their approval for an $8-billion deal that involves merging with Skydance Media, which is run by David Ellison.

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2024-08-01 16:31

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