Story perspectives

CBS Evening News Ratings Plummet Under New Leadership

1/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Tony Dokoupil, CBS Evening News anchor, saw ratings fall from 4.4 million to 3.9 million in the first week.
Under Bari Weiss's leadership, CBS aimed to revamp the show, but critics say the approach favored Trump.
Dokoupil's interview with U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the anchor's job hinged on the election outcome.
CBS touts higher social media engagement, yet overall ratings remain lower than previous anchors, prompting concern.

History

Historical Context

The 2008 financial crisis significantly altered media consumption, with CBS experiencing a 12% drop in ratings to 3.9 million viewers. This decline reflects a broader trend of traditional news outlets struggling to retain audiences amid political polarization. Under Bari Weiss, CBS's strategy to engage viewers, particularly through figures like Donald Trump, echoes past media adaptations during times of political upheaval, raising concerns about the future of network news.

1 of 2

Story summary

Tony Dokoupil, CBS Evening News anchor, saw ratings fall from 4.4 million to 3.9 million in the first week.
Under Bari Weiss's leadership, CBS aimed to revamp the show, but critics say the approach favored Trump.
Dokoupil's interview with U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the anchor's job hinged on the election outcome.
CBS touts higher social media engagement, yet overall ratings remain lower than previous anchors, prompting concern.

1 / 2