VETERAN news anchor Norah O’Donnell is being eyed to replace John Dickerson on CBS Evening News as the network quietly plans a major format change.
The nightly news program is in the middle of a rebrand under new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, and that rebrand, as of now, is squarely centered around a single anchor, The U.S. Sun has exclusively learned.
With John Dickerson set to exit CBS at the end of this year, rumors have run rampant about who is set to replace himCredit: Getty
Nora O’Donnell is being eyed as a potential replacement in a major CBS Evening News overhaul, a source told The U.S. SunCredit: Getty
Rumors have run rampant about who is set to replace Dickerson after he announced he was leaving CBS News last week.
“What I’m hearing is that Bari Weiss wants to return to a style similar to the one before the rebrand earlier this year. A new theme tune and graphics are all being commissioned,” an insider told The U.S. Sun.
It appeared Weiss is putting her mark on the program, which launched in 1941, by returning to a one-anchor setup, they added.
The program just underwent its most recent rebrand in January.
The program is currently helmed by an exiting Dickerson and fellow CBS vet, Maurice Dubois.
The insider said as part of the rebrand, the graphics are being tailored for “the presumption that Norah O’Donnell returns as main anchor,” though the insider added that doesn’t mean she has the role.
The U.S. Sun reviewed the sample graphics with O’Donnell‘s name prominently displayed alongside the CBS Evening News banner.
The insider posited that, while O’Donnell’s name has been floated as a possible replacement for Dickerson, the sample graphics could be using her name as a single anchor placeholder template.
Plus, they added, “Weiss is still trying to chase after Fox anchors.”
Also being eyed as a possible in-house hire for the spot is Tony Dokoupil from CBS Mornings, the insider claimed.
O’Donnell previously hosted Evening News for a 6-year run before switching to a role in which she contributed with newsmaker interviews across CBS platforms, including streaming, digital, primetime, and Paramount+.
The insider said, regardless of who will ultimately helm the show, they are confident the program will return to a single lead anchor as all rebrand preparations have been established with a single anchor format, showing O’Donnell at the helm.
They added that there remains uncertainty about what co-anchor DuBois’ future looks like.
When reached by The U.S. Sun for comment on this story, a rep for CBS declined to provide any specific statements.
DICKERSON OUT
As The U.S. Sun previously reported, Dickerson, who also serves as CBS News’ chief political analyst, announced his departure on his Instagram last week.
He told his followers, “I am extremely grateful for all that CBS gave me— the work, the audience’s attention and the honor of being a part of the network’s history— and I am grateful for my dear colleagues who’ve made me a better journalist and a better human.
“I will miss you.”
Tom Cibrowski, president of CBS News, said in a statement last week, “Dickerson epitomizes the very best of journalism.”
This comes after Weiss joined CBS in October.
Weiss has reached out to employees to solicit their opinions on the news channel’s direction.
In a memo to staff, Weiss wrote: “I want to hear from you about what’s working, what isn’t, and your thoughts on how we can make CBS News the most trusted news organization in America and the world.”
She assured them of her approach, stating, “I’ll approach it the way any reporter would—with an open mind, a fresh notebook, and an urgent deadline.”
Last week, the network slashed about 100 jobs in a massive layoff.
According to The Independent, those cuts included eight on-air correspondents, all of whom were women, and half of them were women of color.
Also disbanded was CBS News’ race and culture unit, which was established in the wake of the George Floyd protests.
ANOTHER FAMOUS FACE EXITS
Dickerson’s announcement marks the second significant host departure from the network, following the cancellation of late-night host Stephen Colbert’s show.
CBS had confirmed earlier this year that Colbert’s late-night program, which first aired in 2015, would end in May 2026.
These cancellations and personnel changes are happening after a lawsuit was filed against the network by Donald Trump.
Shari Redstone, the former owner of CBS’s parent company, Paramount, reached a settlement with the Trump administration regarding a 60 Minutes interview featuring then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Although the lawsuit’s legal basis was questionable, Redstone proceeded with the settlement.
The Paramount owner reportedly required approval from federal regulators to sell her company to an entertainment firm backed by billionaire Larry Ellison.
Redstone’s settlement drew criticism from numerous CBS staff members, including Dickerson.
The anchor commented in July, “The Paramount settlement poses a new obstacle. Can you hold power to account after paying it millions? Can an audience trust you when it thinks you’ve traded away that trust?”
New graphics for CBS Evening News include O’Donnell solo, though she isn’t a lock for the job yet, according to the insiderCredit: Getty
The insider said it is unclear what will happen with current CBS Evening News co-anchor Maurice DuBoisCredit: CBS via Getty Images
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