Tony Dokoupil Set to Take the Helm as the New Anchor of CBS Evening News
Tony Dokoupil has been appointed as the next anchor of CBS Evening News, a significant shift within the network under newly appointed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. Dokoupil will take on the role starting January 5.
He succeeds John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, who stepped down after a brief tenure anchoring the broadcast.
Dokoupil has co-hosted CBS Mornings since 2019. His appointment follows speculation that Weiss was considering other prominent figures for the position, including Anderson Cooper and Bret Baier. However, Cooper has recently extended his contract with CNN, and Baier remains under contract until 2028.
In the last decade, Dokoupil will be the sixth anchor for the nightly broadcast, following notable predecessors Scott Pelley, Jeff Glor, Norah O’Donnell, Dickerson, and DuBois. Despite various attempts to revitalize the show, CBS Evening News has consistently lagged behind its competitors.
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At 44, Dokoupil will be the youngest among the major network evening news anchors. Tom Llamas, 46, has recently taken over the role of anchor on NBC Nightly News from Lester Holt. David Muir, 52, continues to lead ABC’s World News Tonight in ratings.
In his first month, Dokoupil is slated to embark on a cross-country tour.
Bari Weiss remarked, “We live in a time in which many people have lost trust in the media. Tony Dokoupil is the person to win it back. That’s because he believes in old school journalistic values: asking the hard questions, following the facts wherever they lead and holding power to account. Americans hungry for fairness will see that on display night after night.”
A successor for Dokoupil’s role on CBS Mornings has yet to be announced. In that capacity, he reported on significant events, including the October 7 terror attack in Israel, the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and the wildfires in Maui and Southern California.
Last year, Dokoupil was involved in controversy following an interview with author Ta-Nehisi Coates. While co-hosting the segment with Gayle King and Nate Burleson, he faced criticism for the manner in which he questioned Coates regarding his book, The Message, which critiques Israel’s policies towards Palestinians.
CBS leadership addressed the issue in a staff call, declaring that Dokoupil’s approach did not align with the news division’s “editorial standards.”
However, Shari Redstone, then chair of CBS-parent Paramount, later deemed it a “mistake” to publicly criticize Dokoupil, describing the interview as a “model” of “civil discourse.”
Weiss’s outlet, The Free Press, which released an audio version of the staff call, also defended Dokoupil. Following leadership changes, Roark and McMahon exited the network, while Weiss assumed control of the news division.
Tom Cibrowski, president of CBS News, praised Dokoupil, stating he embodies the qualities desired in an evening news anchor—“authentic, compassionate, unafraid.” Cibrowski emphasized Dokoupil’s ability to connect with audiences, whether addressing world leaders or families facing personal struggles.
Dokoupil is represented by UTA, which also represents Muir and Llamas.
