CBS Evening News Ratings Plummets to New Low

Since Tony Dokoupil took over the anchor role at CBS Evening News in January 2026, the show has struggled to maintain its viewership. Initially, Dokoupil's debut drew 4.4 million viewers, peaking at 4.6 million later in January. However, the numbers have steadily declined, reaching a new low of 3.8 million for the week ending March 13. This decline raises concerns about the show's direction, especially compared to competitors like ABC's World News Tonight (8.48 million viewers) and NBC Nightly News (6.51 million viewers).

Some critics attribute the falling ratings to the show's programming choices, describing it as "too soft" under the direction of executive producer Kim Harvey. The inclusion of segments such as meteor sightings and cute animal stories has been criticized as lacking in-depth enterprise reporting. However, CBS News has made changes to the show, including altering the background to present Dokoupil in front of a dark blue world map, in an attempt to revitalize its appeal.

The future of Kim Harvey as executive producer remains uncertain. While CBS News denies any immediate plans for replacement, insiders suggest that further decline in ratings could lead to her dismissal. The network faces the challenge of revamping its marquee shows while simultaneously investing in investigative journalism, which has been lacking in recent years.

Critics suggest the show's "soft" approach and lack of enterprise reporting may be contributing factors.

Kim Harvey has been the executive producer since August 2025.

CBS News changed the background and camera angle to present a more old-school look.

Do you think the CBS Evening News can turn things around? What kind of content would you like to see more of? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!