Tony Dokoupil is poised to take over as the anchor of “CBS Evening News,” marking a significant shift from his current role on “CBS Mornings.” Sources close to the matter report that Dokoupil has signed a new deal, with an official announcement possibly coming soon.
Currently co-hosting CBS’s morning show since 2019, Dokoupil joined CBS News in 2016 after a stint at NBC. His appointment would return the evening news program to a solo anchor format, following the departure of John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois later this month.
CBS News has not confirmed the move publicly, and Dokoupil has not responded to requests for comment. Industry insiders note that the program is expected to continue its current editorial direction, given Dokoupil’s established presence within the network.
Bari Weiss, CBS News’s new editor-in-chief, reportedly considered external candidates including Fox News’s Bret Baier and CNN’s Anderson Cooper before settling on Dokoupil. Cooper ultimately renewed his contract with CNN, while Baier was a potential contender.
Dokoupil’s style has sparked controversy before. Last year, he faced criticism for an intense interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates about the Israel-Gaza conflict. CBS News leadership acknowledged the interview did not meet internal standards.
This led to a reprimand during an editorial meeting, a recording of which was shared by The Free Press, a news site co-founded by Bari Weiss and acquired by Paramount. The Free Press strongly defended Dokoupil, calling him an “endangered species” in traditional media.
Shari Redstone, a former majority shareholder of Paramount, publicly backed Dokoupil, criticizing CBS executives for their handling of the incident. Following the controversy, key editors involved in the reprimand left CBS News.
The transition places Dokoupil at the helm during a challenging time for network news. His role as the new evening anchor will be closely watched by viewers and industry analysts alike. CBS News aims to sustain its signature program’s credibility and audience under his leadership.
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