Less than a month after its ambitious relaunch, the “CBS Evening News” is abandoning its experiment with longer-form storytelling, bowing to lackluster ratings and internal pressure. The revamped broadcast, unveiled on January 27, 2025, aimed to distinguish itself from rivals by shifting away from headline-driven coverage toward substantive, in-depth reporting. However, the third-place newscast’s bold vision has failed to connect with viewers, prompting a noticeable shift in direction by mid-February.
The pivot became evident on February 12, following a February 11 broadcast that led with “America’s Report Card,” a deep dive into a literacy education report tied to the 1955 book Why Johnny Can’t Read.
In the days since, “Evening” has leaned back into traditional news formats. The first block now prioritizes “news of the day” stories, delivered with reporter intros, packages, and outros, or anchor voiceovers—styles more akin to its competitors. A brief flirtation with a pre-open tease emerged, and the “Roundup” news summary has held steady late in the A Block. Still, the show occasionally dips into its original newsmagazine-style roots, depending on the day’s lineup, suggesting an uneasy balancing act as producers search for a winning formula.
The reboot’s struggles echo a 2017 overhaul of CBC’s “The National” in Canada, which also chased a deeper storytelling model only to face mixed reviews and multiple revisions. CBS’s attempt drew similar skepticism, with The New York Post reporting that anonymous insiders are questioning the strategy—and the leadership behind it. “They’ve realized they can’t ignore the news,” one source told the Post, hinting that the lofty approach alienated viewers craving immediacy.
Grumbling extends to the anchor desk, where John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois have faced scrutiny. “Insiders are wondering why they were chosen when many viewers don’t know who they are or what credibility they bring,” the Post noted. Bigger trouble looms for Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures. Sources suggest her job is on the line, with one asking, “Where are Wendy’s wins? What has she done?” Rumors swirl that Skydance CEO David Ellison and former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell, key figures in CBS’s orbit, harbor doubts about her stewardship.
“CBS Evening News” is at a crossroads. The retreat from its January vision underscores the challenge of reinventing a legacy broadcast in a fragmented and now instant digital media age—where depth often loses to the allure of the now.
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