Full Breakdown
CBS Mornings Records Its Lowest-Rated Week Amid Leadership Turmoil
7/24/2026, 2:19:57 PM
Record Low Ratings for CBS Mornings
For the week of July 13, Nielsen data showed that “CBS Mornings,” anchored by Gayle King and Nate Burleson, averaged 1.59 million viewers—the first time the program fell below the 1.6-million threshold. The same data indicated a 13 % decline compared with the corresponding week a year earlier, marking the show’s worst-ever ratings week.
Context and Leadership Changes
The ratings slump occurs under the oversight of CBS News President Tom Cibrowski, who was assigned responsibility for “CBS Mornings” earlier this year by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss. Cibrowski, a former producer of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” inherited a program that has lacked a permanent third co-host since Tony Dokoupil moved to “CBS Evening News” in January. In March, Cibrowski dismissed executive producer Shawna Thomas and installed Jon Tower as an interim producer, though sources say Cibrowski continues to run the broadcast directly.
Internal Criticism of Programming Strategy
Multiple insiders have criticized Cibrowski’s editorial direction. One source argued that his emphasis on lighter lifestyle stories reflects a soft-news approach that fails to meet audience expectations for substantive reporting. Additional commentary noted that the revolving roster of fill-in co-hosts has undermined the show’s cohesion, while a separate source contended that Cibrowski has not been provided sufficient resources to secure a permanent third host or make major hires.
Ratings Data and Broader Trends
Beyond the July 13 week, the program has posted its lowest-rated first quarter, its worst May, and “abysmal” June figures, according to previously reported Nielsen data. The decline mirrors a seasonal dip common to morning news broadcasts, yet rival programs have also experienced historic lows; for example, NBC’s “Today” recorded its lowest total-viewer and demo audience during the same period last year. A brief uptick was noted early in the following week, with a Monday broadcast drawing roughly 1.7 million viewers and a 34 % rise in the key 25-54 demographic, but the longer-term trend remains unfavorable. CBS declined to comment when approached for comment.
