May 6, 2019

CBS News names Norah O'Donnell "Evening News" anchor in staff shakeup

Sara Fischer

Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

CBS News announced a staff reshuffle on Monday, naming Norah O'Donnell as the anchor and managing editor of "CBS Evening News" and announcing Gayle King would be flanked by Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil on "CBS Morning News" as John Dickerson shifts to a role at "60 Minutes."

Why it matters: The shakeup represents the first big move by new CBS News President Susan Zirinsky, the network’s first female president, to revive the news division after a rocky two years. "CBS This Morning" has struggled to find its footing after the firing of longtime anchor Charlie Rose in 2017. The evening news show has lagged in ratings for the past 18 months under anchor Jeff Glor.

Between the lines: Zirinsky is hoping a talent shakeup will bring new energy to the newsroom, which has been dogged by issues of sexual misconduct. Amid the shakeup, Zirinsky is elevating O’Donnell into a role that’s typically been held by male journalists and is making King, a woman of color, the female lead for the network’s morning newscast. The network's Sunday show "Face the Nation" has been led by female moderator Margaret Brennan since 2018.

Go deeper: Les Moonves out at CBS

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CBS News names Norah O'Donnell "Evening News" anchor in staff shakeup

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