CBS News Bombshell Report Blames Bari Weiss for Tony Dokoupil’s Ratings Woe
What To Know
- CBS News insiders say different visions between editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and network president Tom Cibrowski may be to blame for poor ratings.
- CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings are both down in ratings from last year’s first quarter.
- Weiss and Cibrowski are being labeled an “odd couple” by some insiders, while others claim they “complement” each other.
As CBS News continues to struggle in the ratings, a bombshell report in the New York Post cites editor-in-chief Bari Weiss and network president Tom Cibrowski’s different visions for programming as partly to blame.
“They are an odd couple to me,” one CBS insider told the outlet. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of synergies between them.”
While Weiss is working to implement an aggressive digital strategy with a focus on hard news, Cibrowski, who came from ABC News, is hoping to take a softer approach. David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, reportedly thought the two would “complement each other’s skills,” according to The Post, but that has seemingly not been the case.
However, another source disagreed, insisting that the pair’s work styles are blending well together and that progress will be seen over time. A spokesperson for CBS News also told the New York Post, “Bari makes editorial decisions, is standing up new projects, and oversees the organization’s transformation. Tom leads business operations and is working closely with the Morning Show. That’s not ‘odd.’ That’s how successful leaders work together.”
One of Weiss’ first moves after taking over as EIC in October 2025 was to make Tony Dokoupil the anchor of CBS Evening News. His tenure began in January, but viewership is down 7% from last year in total viewers and 18% in the key 25-54 demographic, per the Post.
“You can’t do David Muir lite,” a source told the outlet. “When s**t hits the fan, CBS doesn’t have heavyweights like [ABC’s] Martha Raddatz, Pierre Thomas, or Jonathan Karl.”
Meanwhile, the first quarter of 2026 for CBS Mornings has also not shown improvement, with total viewers down 13% from last year and viewers in the key demo down 27% from last year, according to the New York Post.
“The problem is there’s no bench and there’s hardly any frontline talent,” a source said, noting that Dokoupil still has not been replaced on the morning show after leaving to anchor CBS Evening News. Meanwhile, Gayle King recently re-upped her contract to continue hosting CBS Mornings alongside Nate Burleson.
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T
The only show I watched on CBS was 60 minutes and that too taping it and watching segments which I know suit my interest. I am smart enough to know what is an obvious Bari Weiss, Trump spin. I am not going to watch another FOX look-a-like.
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P
I was a frequent viewer of both CBS Mornings and CBS Evening News. I avoid both now like the plague. And it's not because of Dokoupil. The "both sides" BS white washing of the devastation that Trump and his criminal organization are inflicting on this country is unwatchable for me. Trying to water down the severity of what that organization is doing, is a deal killer for me. CBS Mornings used to be fun to watch before I went to work, even when they did stories that I wasn't a fan of. Now, I don't know what the H that show is. The set looks now like an elementary school room and primarily an estrogen fest. Nate Burleson must feel pretty out of place there now, I would guess. I was shocked that Gail King decided to stay on this Titanic. The money must have been huge.
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D
I think Bari Weiss is a disaster and should be fired. She is destroying a great network. I feel very bad for Tony he deserves better.
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B
Agreed. Tony is a great guy.
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L
I watched CBS news for years, when it was news. I woke up and rushed home to see the best reporting. No other network compared in my opinion. Now, the reporters are all afraid they might lose their jobs. It's amazing how so many people sit back and watch these idiots ruin America. America was a mess in trump's first term and a bigger mess now.
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J
It's all about Bari Weiss the loyal cbs news fans have left. Her Fox News agenda is disgusting. Abc is the the only news network that will check Trump on his LIES EVERYDAY.
CBS is Fox . We aren't stupid.
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F
See. B. S.
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D
CBS has gone down the toilet. At what point do these boobs realize that hooking their horses up to the disastrous Trump train is increasingly suicidal…
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R
Have they tried a failed comedian or MMA fighter broadcasting from his basement?
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L
I’ve stopped watching CBS. I’m not sure what is going on but I don’t like the change from news reporting to a lot of ‘fluff’ and a little news injected. I enjoyed Nate, Vlad, Adriana and like Jill S. I miss Tony D. In the morning. I believe CBS Morning has begun their own destruction; but maybe that’s the hidden agenda.
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B
I hate to hear that about Tony. Really like him. Many people I know are not watching any news on tv - choosing on-line devices. Plus news has been so bad lately.
Doesn’t surprise me about CBS Morning — really don’t care for Gail King. She’s very arrogant & all about herself & Oprah. Who cares about either? Adriana is really good & Nate is also really good.
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D
News should be just that, what has happened to unbiased reporting? Reporters should stick to the facts of a story and not take a political side, that should be up to the viewer to decide, I guess people are too lazy or too dumb to do that for themselves anymore. Let's get back to reporting true facts!
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B
I was very disappointed to read that CSI Origins is being delayed. Why? That is an awesome show. Love the history it brings. Need to keep this show on regular schedule.
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D
CBS is owned by a Trump sycophant. Why on earth would anyone who can think and is aware of what Trump has done and continues to do pay any attention to it broadcast or digital.
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E
They're turning CBS into another propaganda station like fox i stop watching CBS last year
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