Maurice DuBois leaving CBS — 'Evening News' left without anchors as Bari Weiss oversees overhaul

Following the announcement by his co-anchor John Dickerson that he would leave CBS Evening News and the network before year-end, Maurice DuBois confirmed he will also be stepping down. DuBois exit comes amid sweeping changes introduced by newly appointed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who has been actively pursuing high-profile talent from rival networks to revitalize CBS News prime-time broadcast, which has long struggled in ratings despite multiple revamps and anchor shifts.

DuBois was part of the recent initiative to rejuvenate the program once famously hosted by Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather. After CBS replaced lead anchor Norah ODonnell following a five-year tenure, the network experimented with a two-anchor format featuring Dickerson and DuBois, relocating the program from Washington, D.C., to New York City. The show also incorporated elements inspired by 60 Minutes, but the changes failed to attract a consistent audience, and ratings continued to decline. Ultimately, DuBois and Dickerson lasted less than a year together on air.

With Dickersons October departure announcement, DuBois informed colleagues that his final day at CBS Evening News will be December 18, coinciding with Dickersons exit. In an Instagram post reflecting on his tenure, DuBois said, It has been the honor of a lifetime. 21 years altogether, including my time at WCBS-TV in New York City. Ill leave filled with gratitude, cherished relationships, and amazing memories.

DuBois began at CBS East Coast flagship station, WCBS-TV, in 2004, serving as evening news anchor and co-anchoring morning and noon broadcasts before moving to CBS Evening News earlier this year. CBS News President Tom Cibrowski praised DuBois, saying, Maurice has long represented what we do best at CBS News and Stations. For more than two decades, he has delivered the days biggest stories from our studios in New York and in the field.

Since taking over as editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss has prioritized overhauling the weeknight news broadcast, reportedly seeking major talent from other networks, including Fox News Bret Baier, CNNs Anderson Cooper, Fox News Dana Perino, and ABCs Matt Gutman. Many of these targets are tied to multi-year contracts, making immediate recruitment challenging.

Internally, CBS Mornings co-anchor Tony Dokoupil is considered a potential candidate, though he has reportedly expressed disinterest in moving to the evening slot. Norah ODonnell has also expressed interest in returning to the weeknight anchor chair, but she may instead shift to CBS Mornings. Meanwhile, co-anchor Gayle Kings contract is approaching its end, with her departure from the morning program expected.

Analysis: CBS Evening News Faces Another Leadership Shift

The simultaneous departures of Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson mark a significant turning point for CBS Evening News. Despite recent efforts to rejuvenate the program, including relocating to New York City and experimenting with a dual-anchor format, the broadcast failed to reverse declining ratings.

Bari Weiss’s strategy of recruiting high-profile talent from rival networks underscores the network’s urgency to restore its prime-time relevance. However, contractual limitations and internal hesitations, such as Tony Dokoupil’s reluctance to move to evenings, suggest that immediate solutions may be limited.

DuBois’s exit after 21 years highlights both the challenges and the volatility inherent in modern broadcast journalism. CBS now faces the dual task of stabilizing its anchor lineup while maintaining audience trust during this transitional period.

Ultimately, the network’s next steps will be critical in determining whether these leadership changes lead to sustained growth or continue the cycle of short-term experimentation.

Sources:

• Maurice DuBois to exit CBS — leaving ‘Evening News’ with no anchors amid Bari Weiss’ overhaul