Less than a month after launching a revamped broadcast focused on in-depth reporting, “CBS Evening News” is undergoing a significant format shift. The initial reimagining, launched on January 27, 2025, aimed to move away from headline-driven news, but instead resulted in subpar ratings for the already third-place broadcast.
Changes became apparent around February 12, 2025, following a broadcast that prioritized a lengthy report on literacy education in America. This February 11, 2025, broadcast, titled “America’s Report Card,” saw anchor John Dickerson ironically reference the 1955 book “Why Johnny Can’t Read.” While the report was substantial, competing networks ABC and NBC dedicated more airtime to stories about Elon Musk and hostage releases.
Subsequent broadcasts featured a return to a more traditional structure, with a greater emphasis on shorter, “news of the day”-style stories. The program retained its “Roundup” segment, but incorporated more traditional reporter intros, packages, and outros. While some days still included longer, in-depth pieces, the shift towards shorter news items is clear.
CBS's retooling bears resemblance to the CBC’s 2017 restructuring of “The National,” which also faced mixed reception and subsequent revisions. The New York Post reports that internal sources indicate leadership has acknowledged the format’s poor reception. “They’ve realized they can’t ignore the news,” one source stated. The Post also highlights internal discontent over the selection of anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, with sources questioning their name recognition and credibility among viewers.
Further speculation targets CBS News and Stations president and CEO Wendy McMahon. “I don’t think Wendy survives. Where are Wendy’s wins? What has she done?” a source told the Post. Concerns about her leadership and strategy reportedly extend to Skydance CEO David Ellison and former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell. CBS News declined to comment. The departure of Adrienne Roark, who oversaw the news division and owned stations, to Tegna on February 19, 2025, adds to the network’s recent upheaval.