The debut of the revamped “CBS Evening News” on January 27, 2025, saw a significant 14% increase in ratings. The new broadcast, featuring a new set, music, graphics, format and anchors, initially attracted approximately 5.2 million total viewers.
However, this initial surge proved short-lived. By the end of the ratings week, viewership settled to an average of 4.8 million viewers and 688,000 adults aged 25-52 (excluding January 31st due to retitling of broadcasts). This represents a 2% decrease in the demo and a 4% week-over-week drop, with similar year-over-year declines.
This isn't unusual; new talent often brings an initial ratings spike. For instance, Katie Couric's 2006 debut saw a surge to 14 million viewers, which dropped to 8 million by week's end. The overall decline in network news ratings is also a contributing factor.
The “Evening News” overhaul includes a dual male anchor format with Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson, alongside D.C. contributor Margaret Brennan. The show is focusing on longer pieces and in-depth analysis, a departure from breaking news headlines, inspired in part by “60 Minutes.”
The success of this approach remains uncertain. While it might resonate with viewers who prefer in-depth journalism, early figures don't indicate a major success yet. The show's long-term performance, and adaptation to viewer preferences, will be key indicators of its overall success.