Months into ‘CBS Evening News’ gig, struggling – Business News
A number of months after taking the anchor seat at “CBS Evening News,” Tony Dokoupil nonetheless lags far behind his rivals, the most recent Nielsen figures show.
The nightly newscast pulled in about 3.8 million viewers and fewer than 500,000 adults in the important thing 25-to-54 demographic during the week of April 6 — a sharp drop that left it trailing each “ABC World News Tonight” and “NBC Nightly News” by extensive margins, in keeping with lately launched scores.
ABC’s flagship broadcast, in the meantime, stays the clear chief within the nightly information wars, drawing more than 8 million complete viewers and topping 1 million within the 25-to-54 demo during the week of April 6 — practically double CBS’s viewers in each classes.
Tony Dokoupil has struggled to elevate scores at CBS Evening News, with the published caught in third place. CBS by way of Getty Images
NBC is in second place and gaining momentum. “Nightly News” is averaging about 6.4 million viewers and roughly 943,000 in the important thing demo, whereas notching regular year-over-year growth that’s narrowing its hole with ABC.
The NBC broadcast anchored by Tom Llamas has additionally emerged as the one night newscast posting across-the-board positive factors in comparison with final season — underscoring its upward trajectory as CBS continues to slip.
As Dokoupil has struggled within the anchor chair, CBS News has been roiled behind the scenes — with clashing management visions, layoffs and a broader overhaul fueling instability throughout the division.
Insiders describe a fractured newsroom the place high executives are at odds over strategy, at the same time as scores for flagship packages — together with “CBS Evening News” — sink to historic lows and staffers brace for additional cuts.
Tom Llamas has helped “NBC Nightly News” gain ground, posting regular growth throughout key metrics. Los Angeles Times by way of Getty Images
“Tony Dokoupil and his team continue to build a program designed to reach audiences wherever they consume the news, and we’re very excited about the future of the Evening News brand under their leadership,” CBS News mentioned in a assertion. “No amount of false speculation or gossip will deter them from doing what they do best: reporting the news and telling the truth.”
On the constructive facet for CBS, its broadcast is averaging 4.2 million viewers and 539,000 in the important thing demo 4 months into Dokoupil’s tenure — up 5% in complete viewers and eight% amongst adults 25-54 in contrast with the early half of the 2025-26 season.
The first-quarter efficiency additionally marked an enchancment over the prior three quarters, when this system was co-anchored by Maurice DuBois and John Dickerson.
David Muir continues to dominate the night information race, main “ABC World News Tonight” to the highest spot. ABC by way of Getty Images
“ABC World News Tonight with David Muir” is up throughout the board main NBC by practically 2 million viewers and CBS by over 4 million. The ABC program is growing its viewers, up 530,000 viewers over final yr, delivering its largest lead over NBC in 31 years and largest lead over CBS in 34 years.
NBC’s broadcast has posted regular positive factors, including about 383,000 complete viewers and 103,000 in the important thing demo in contrast with final yr, whereas additionally ticking up week-over-week.
“NBC Nightly News” has now logged 11 consecutive weeks of year-over-year growth within the 25-to-54 demographic.
The Post has sought remark from ABC News. An NBC News spokesperson didn’t reply to a Post inquiry.
