CBS Evening News Viewership Dips Below Four Million Milestone
Ratings for CBS Evening News have dropped below the four million viewer threshold for the first time since Tony Dokoupil assumed the anchor role. This decline follows a major overhaul of the network led by editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, which has faced significant scrutiny and internal criticism.
Steep Decline in Weekly Ratings Figures
According to Nielsen Media Research data reported by Variety, the nightly news program attracted nearly 3.83 million total viewers last week. Among the crucial demographic of adults aged 25 to 54, the show secured 468,000 viewers. This represents a substantial drop from Dokoupil's debut week in January, which averaged approximately 4.17 million total viewers and 533,000 in the key demographic.
The network previously celebrated Dokoupil's initial ratings as a victory, noting a 4 percent increase in total viewership compared to the rest of the season that began in September. However, this recent slump marks a concerning 23 percent decrease from the same period in 2025, as highlighted by industry publications Deadline and Variety.
Network Overhaul and Internal Backlash
Bari Weiss, founder of the media outlet The Free Press, took control as CBS News' editor-in-chief last October. Soon after her appointment, Tony Dokoupil replaced evening news co-anchors Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson. This change was part of broader modifications implemented under Weiss's leadership, which have not been without controversy.
One network staffer described Dokoupil's debut as "embarrassing," citing technical issues during his first regular broadcast and social media clips where he asked strangers at a train station to pronounce his surname. Another insider went further, accusing Dokoupil of transforming CBS Evening News into "state TV," suggesting a perceived shift in editorial direction.
Competitive Landscape and Industry Context
The ratings lag significantly behind competing networks. ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir dominated with nearly 8.48 million total viewers last week, while NBC's Nightly News with Tom Llamas attracted 6.51 million viewers. This competitive disadvantage underscores the challenges facing CBS's revamped program.
Weiss's editorial decisions have also sparked backlash, notably her choice to delay a 60 Minutes segment about Venezuelan migrants sent to an El Salvadoran prison accused of inhumane conditions. The segment eventually aired nearly one month later, raising questions about editorial independence.
Political Reactions and Future Implications
The ratings drop has drawn political commentary, with California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu remarking on social media, "If people want conservative slant, they can watch Fox or Newsmax. People don't want broadcast news to slant one way or the other. They just want news." This sentiment reflects broader concerns about perceived biases in network journalism.
Additionally, during an interview on the program, former President Donald Trump told Dokoupil he "wouldn't have a job right now" if former Vice President Kamala Harris had won the 2024 election, highlighting the politically charged environment surrounding the show.
As CBS Evening News navigates this turbulent period, the network faces mounting pressure to stabilize viewership and address internal and external criticisms of its new direction under Weiss and Dokoupil's leadership.
