CBS Evenings News Ratings Revealed Amid Big Shake-Up & John Dickerson Exit
What To Know
- CBS Evening News experienced double-digit week-over-week growth despite ongoing leadership changes and high-profile departures.
- Despite this, ABC World News Tonight and NBC Nightly News maintained higher viewership.
- CBS News is undergoing significant upheaval, including a new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, and the upcoming exit of John Dickerson.
CBS News has gone through several significant changes in recent weeks, including a new editor-in-chief and high-profile exits. But how are these shake-ups impacting the network’s ratings?
According to AdWeek, citing Nielsen’s live+same-day big data plus program ratings, CBS Evening News recorded double-digit growth among total viewers for the week of October 20. The show, hosted by John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, averaged 4.090 million total viewers, up 12 per cent from the week prior.
In the key Adults 25-54 demographic, CBS Evening News averaged 475,000 viewers for the week of October 20, up 6 per cent compared to the previous week.
Despite the positive week-over-week numbers, the Evening News broadcast was down year-over-year. Compared to the same week in 2024, when Norah O’Donnell still served as host, the show declined 5 per cent in total viewers and 26 per cent in the demo.
The latest ratings come amid upheaval at CBS News. The network’s parent company Paramount merged with David Ellison’s Skydance in August, and the CEO has been putting his stamp on the company. On October 6, Paramount Skydance acquired the publication The Free Press and named its co-founder, Bari Weiss, as CBS News’ new editor-in-chief.
Weiss has reportedly been meeting with staffers and reporters as she looks to shake up CBS Evening News, including the show’s former anchor, O’Donnell, and CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil. Oliver Darcy’s Status newsletter also reported that Fox News’ Bret Baier‘s name has been floated for the position, though Baier himself has denied the reports.
On Monday, current Evening News co-host John Dickerson announced he will be parting ways with CBS News at the end of the year. The shocking departure news came less than a year after Dickerson and DuBois began co-hosting Evening News in January.
While CBS Evening News saw an uptick in ratings last week, it still trailed its rivals. ABC World News Tonight with David Muir remained at the top spot with an average of 7.864 million total viewers (up 3 per cent on the week prior) and 925,000 in the key demo (flat with the previous week). Muir’s show was also up 7 per cent in total viewers compared to the same week in 2024, but down 11 per cent in the demo.
NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas held second place with an average of 5.843 million total viewers (up 3 per cent on last week) and 803,000 demo viewers (up 8 per cent on the week prior). Compared to the same week a year ago, the show was flat in total viewers and down 12 per cent in the demo.
It should be noted that last week’s average for ABC News was based on three days (Tuesday to Thursday), while NBC News’ average was based on four days (Monday, Wednesday to Friday) due to NFL and NBA broadcasts.
Conversation62 Comments
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C
If John Dickerson goes so do I. The only believable newscaster on CBS
105
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I as well! Good-bye CBS!
10
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C
Why? Because John Dickerson didn't want the truth about Kamala Harris to be aired out to their viewers. on there edited interview. Dickerson didn't want everybody to know. Kamala is dumb as a rock.
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G
John don't go you and Dubois are a great team together
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O
Unfortunately, Ellison and Bari don’t care.
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C
Just appalling. Another network falling victim to Trump. Walter Cronkite is turning over in his grave.
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C
I totally agree with you on that.
So is Edward Morrow.
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B
I am very disappointed about Saturday Morning getting cancelled. It started with Jeff Glore being laid off and now Dana and Michelle ? John Dickerson had that “Cronkite “ professional quality. Is this because of Trump ? It sure as Hell Better not be. In closing they better not even think about tinkering with Sunday Morning and Jane Pauley or there will be an uprising country wide.
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O
Yes, the Trump influence.
21
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O
Yes, leave Jane Pauley where she is. She’s the best.
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B
I'm very unhappy about CBS getting rid of Saturday Morning. I love this show. I'm not surprised about John Dickerson leaving. I do think this has to do with trump and the fact that Ellison is a republican.
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G
Is this part of the deal CBS made with Trump that got Stephen Colbert taken off the air?
The news coverage seems to be moving to news reported in a way that shows Trump in a better light.
55
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G
SICK!!!
3
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O
Trump will never be seen in a better light. Good luck with that!
17
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B
More honestly
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P
Oh I'm sure they'll spin it as that. God forbid they would agree that losing viewers which = business loses is the true reason. Americans are tired of being constantly LIED to preserve their place in the communist demo party. Mainstream media in America is DEAD.
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P
That's absolutely right because he has successfully sued them over coverage he felt was not favorable to him, and won each time. So they're bowing to him now because they know he's monitoring them
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G
Have always respected John Dickerson! He leaves the show, I'll watch Tom Llamas.
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O
The new EIC sucks
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G
I quit watching news shows 8 years ago.
I haven't missed a thing.
I don't miss being agitated daily by whatever terrible thing is happening.
I can't control what is happening outside of my household.
Weather, and mindless entertainment, because life is hard enough as it is and too short to be stressed by what rich and powerful people who don't care about me are doing to each other.
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C
I am saddened by all the changes. There is no excuse in letting go so many talented women. It seems like being black and a woman are not acceptable qualities at CBS. It appears that Trump and the ultra conservative faction of the Republican Party are trying to take over the News. Walter Cronkite would be horrified at what’s happening with the CBS News.
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P
John Dickerson is the best political mind of all networks. He will land somewhere MUCH better than CBS.
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Saturday CBS show I really don't care for but the Dickerson and Dubois I like those two...I hope they not doing what the political party asking them to do...Tony D. On CBS morning yeah I can see them letting him go he is just not news material put him on entertainment tonight lol
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O
It is being controlled by the political party. Bari is slanting the new to the right.
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O
I watched CBS for most of my 70 years. I no longer watch anymore. Walter Cronkite could never be replaced. I like the CBS morning show, but not Gayle King. She not serious about real news so I mute her. 60 minutes continues with faith and balanced. The network over all in my view seem to be scared to conform to the right wing lunatics. I get most of my news through MTN via utube.
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G
Love John Dickerson. Seems like an honest respectable fair journalist. Have always watched CBS evening news. I will not watch if they bring in Brett Baier. Anyone who works for FOX entertainment channel has given up any ethics they may or may not have had.
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I Love John Dickerson and Maurice and i hope neither one doesn't have to leave I've been watching These anchors guys my whole life and David Muri and i would like to continue listening to them nobody else knows News like John Maurice and David
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O
I've switched to Tom Llamas and John Dickerson and I've not watched David for over a year. He used to be my favorite
6
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P
I watch Tom LLamas exclusively now, but I do like John Dickerson. He's believable, professional, and has integrity, qualities that in Trump's America don't seem to matter anymore
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I love the Saturday Morning Show with Dana Jacobson and Michelle Miller. I think that this all smacks
of the present administration 's
censorship of television.
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We record both ABC and CBS with CBS being the more informative of the programs. The fact that the latter network didn't cover the Diddy trial until the verdict may have something to do with that.
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B
I wasn’t crazy about Nora Odonnol doing the news but she did a better job that Maurese and John Dickerson did. I fee sorry for Maurese because he’s going to be the scape goat. But Lester Holt on NBC has been around a very long time he knows what he’s doing and is a professional
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G
When Dickerson goes, I go. He was the only reporter that simply and accurately told the news without expressing his opinion. Gayle Kings sings too much and interrupts everyone. Done with CBS
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C
I have watched all the CBS News shows for over 20 years. I have been disappointed with all the recent changes. I now watch BBC news to get unbiased reporting on USA news.
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G
I think it's hilarious that it took 2 men to replace Nora O'Donnell. I also think they need to cut the fluff and just give us hard national and world news and quit covering for a president and an administration in the gutter. Tired of them glossing over things like the demolishment if of the East Wing. trump killing people off the ciastst of Venezuela. ice throwing innocent children in jail, breaking up families, using tear gas. eliminating social services to people who need them to survive. it needs serious news coverage for 30 minutes a night at least.
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B
John Dickerson has always been one of the best newscasters. I will follow him if he goes elsewhere. If he doesn’t show up I will keep searching for him onscreen!
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O
They fired Debra Patta, a stellar war reporter. Maybe that was the last straw for John Dickerson….I can’t believe CBS is not caving to Trump pressure. Why would they make these absurd changes. .
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C
Sad that CBS and Paramount are bowing to the pressure from the Orange man and his backers, but then again it’s always about the money!
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G
I've read they are removing Gayle King from morning, if so I'm out. Their deal is with tRUMP who has a 34% approval so why would Ellison be supporting him, instead of the VIEWERS? If the liar from CNN Jennings joins CBS, I'll NEVER watch a single thing on CBS again. Wouldn't you think someone new would take things slowly but not Mr Arrogant Ellison doesn't give a shit about viewers.
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J
Trump only "won" because CBS didn't want to go to court.
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K
Trump would have won!!!
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CBS has been my go-to station for years. I have gotten disgusted with the new direction and no longer watch it at all.
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L
If we’re paying a subscription to watch CBS we should all CANCEL IT!!!
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R
Just as soon as I heard of John Dickerson leaving I knew Trump had something to do with it….you are bowing the knee to Trump and as soon as they all leave on cbs I’ll be gone to!!! I love all the ones that have been eliminated and see no reason to stay ….so disappointed in the new management for you kissing trumps ring!!!
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P
I’ve watched cbs news for 30 years exclusively. Never thought I’d leave cbs, but I’m ready. It is too bad, but good anchors are leaving, and it it seems obvious why.
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O
I watched every day the 3 evening News. At the end, ABC, CBS & NBC, broadcast, more or less, the same information. The difference is the reporters and the "quality" of the information in very short time. ABC keeps Peter Jennings credibility which David Muir does it well. Tom Llama's on NBC is a fresh and young face for nightly news, Lamas does it well but it is not Brokaw. CBS, Dickerson and Dubois, both anchors are very good. If I will be in charge of Evening News, I will put Dickerson one week and Dubois will host the news the next week. However, CBS has not found a Water Cronkite or Dan Rather news anchor.
2
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O
I canceled my subscription immediately.
2
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K
Colberts low ratings is taking him off the air!!!!!!!!!!!!
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D
He has literally not won a single such case.
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J
No, Walter is spinning in his grave. So much for accurate reporting at Larry Ellison's CBS.
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N
I enjoy and prefer the longer segments with John D and Maurice D. So sorry they will be leaving the CBS Evening news. I do not think the change in personnel to gain higher ratings is going to produce desired results. I think you had a good thing going as it was.
1
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G
MAGA apologists need to go away. DON'T WATCH CBS. PERIOD.
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O
CBS is getting rid off an excellent reporter. Weekend CBS show a way to unwind also gone. Bye CBS!
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O
They should offer O'Donnell her job back.
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C
I will re-start watching CBS with these changes. End the Liberal Socialism DEI Woke B.S., restructure Morning Show, good riddance to Dickerson. I support the changes!
1
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D
Not true at all.
I suspect he looks significantly better in yellow-based lighting, as they bring out the orange undertone more. Greens, browns, warm reds or oranges, peach, coral, and gold hues also suit Cheeto® colored skin tones well, at least according to AI.
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D
How would you even know?
You've missed a LOT.
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C
Jericka Duncan needs to be the CVS newscaster!!!!!! She is awesome.
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B
maybe. Dickerson wants to be out in the. Field instead of behind the desk. They should. Find. Some reporters who can keep the viewers. Interest and find news that more. Interesting then. Things no One. Cares about. They should ask Bill O Reilly. Now he’s.interesting and He. Can. Hold a. Audience. Attention He could Say. Caution. This is CBS evening news while pointing. His. Finger
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B
They. Should have. One news. Reporter. Not. Two. I try to watch CBS. News. But it’s. So friggin boring. 🥱 it looks like. To puppets. Mouthy the worlds and their ratings Suck they need more. Lively. Anchors. Not the two anchors thay put you to sleep. Offer. Cooper.more. Money. Or. NOD more. Bet. Oprah would make a hell of a news. Reporter or that Anthony. Mason
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O
If you can’t get Norah back, I just won’t watch any evening news again.
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O
My wife and I want Norah (she’s the best) back!! If you can’t do that, get Scott Pelly back!!
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