Norah O’Donnell’s strong coverage of Pope Leo XIV – Business News
Norah O’Donnell’s profession might get “resurrected” on the Tiffany Network — following her strong coverage of the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, The Post has discovered.
The former “CBS Evening News” anchor — who was booted from the high-profile post in a controversial shakeup in January to make approach for the duo of John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois — confirmed her chops as she amped up the community’s coverage from Rome final week, CBS insiders buzzed.
The 51-year-old broadcaster is “well sourced” within the Vatican, in accordance with a community source. As she lined the funeral and the conclave with Dickerson, she flashed data gleaned from an unique sitdown with Pope Francis final 12 months.
Norah O’Donnell’s profession might get “resurrected,” following her strong coverage of the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV. CBS
O’Donnell delivered an unique interview with the Gammarelli household, who’ve tailor-made clothes for popes, bishops and cardinals for more than 200 years, and even nabbed perspective from an American bishop from Chicago, the new pope’s hometown.
“Norah has the stature when it comes to doing a live event,” one community source mentioned, including that O’Donnell made DuBois and Dickerson look “small” by comparability and “overshadowed” them each.
“Maurice looked like a bump on a log. He looked like her sidekick,” the source added. “John only knows how to do politics. They were outmatched.”
Insiders buzzed that DuBois (left) regarded like O’Donnell’s “sidekick” during the community’s coverage of the conclave. CBS
During the conclave and final Thursday’s announcement of Pope Leo XIV, the perennially third-place CBS News simply beat NBC’s News within the rankings. CBS averaged 3 million viewers, in comparison with 1.9 million for NBC’s coverage anchored by Lester Holt. ABC News drew 3.5 million, in accordance Nielsen.
Insiders say the blip of success could have been an awkward second for CBS News boss Wendy McMahon, who was behind the January shakeup. In the primary quarter, the overhauled “CBS Evening News” noticed its complete viewers tumble to three.5 million. Vewers within the advertiser-coveted demographic of 25-54 years, fell to 657,000, in accordance with Nielsen rankings.
That’s versus the year-ago quarter when the show, beneath O’Donnell, pulled in 5 million complete viewers and 722,000 demo viewers.
“CBS Evenings” DuBois and John Dickerson (proper) have misplaced 1.5 million viewers since taking up this system. Gail Schulman/CBS News
The undeniable fact that O’Donnell was in a position to steal the limelight final week is a excellent signal of the disarray at CBS News, in accordance with one source close to the community.
“You wouldn’t see ABC’s David Muir play backseat but that’s what Dickerson and DuBois did,” the source added.
The Post reached out to CBS News for remark.
Last 12 months, CBS CEO McMahon unveiled plans to revamp the 30-minute “Evening News,” which airs at 6:30 p.m. ET weekdays, to incorporate “60 Minutes”-style segments. She moved the show back to New York from Washington and O’Donnell, who helmed the show for 5 years, was changed by Dickerson, a CBS veteran and DuBois, CBS native information anchor in New York.
CBS News’ coverage of the conclave and the announcement of Pope Leo XIV elevated the community into second place within the rankings forward of NBC News. AFP by way of Getty Images
The program was compelled to backtrack on the new strategy after it flubbed some main breaking tales following Trump’s election. Nevertheless, insiders aren’t holding their breath for O’Donnell to retake her anchor chair beneath present management.
“Norah’s papal reporting may have resurrected her career but it could also just be her last hurrah,” a media skilled mentioned.
CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon overhauled “Evening News,” in hopes of it gaining more viewers, however rankings have continued to fall. CBS by way of Getty Images
The slumping rankings, nevertheless, additionally come as Skydance Media is hoping to close its $8 billion merger with CBS-parent Paramount Global. A source close to the state of affairs instructed The Post that Skydance bosses — which incorporates founder and CEO David Ellison and president Jeff Shell — are “profoundly unhappy with the current situation.”
“They are going to be looking to reshape ‘The Evening News,’ which could include bringing back Norah O’Donnell,” a source mentioned.
While it’s unclear if O’Donnell would return as anchor, a source with data mentioned the journalist, who these days has been relegated to reporting roles on the community, might land one other large job at CBS as soon as the new homeowners are available in.
O’Donnell, who interviewed Pope Francis final 12 months, used her strong Vatican contacts to help steer the coverage of the election of the new pope. CBS by way of Getty Images
“Something good is going to happen to Norah O’Donnell,” the source added.
Still, it’s unsure whether or not the merger will get cleared because it faces static from President Trump. Currently, Paramount is in talks with Trump’s legal professionals over his $20 billion lawsuit over “60 Minutes’” enhancing of its sitdown with former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr can be wanting into the matter.
“Actually, no one has given any thought to O’Donnell or ‘CBS Evening News’ as there are clearly other priorities to tackle,” a source close to Skydance mentioned.
A source mentioned O’Donnell, who now serves as a correspondent, might make a comeback in an anchor job on the community beneath Skydance. CBS
Sources additionally word that bringing back O’Donnell wouldn’t come with out challenges and a few inside backlash on the community.
The Post has beforehand chronicled O’Donnell’s poisonous habits, which incorporates dressing down stylists over her hair and make-up and requiring a “full dress rehearsal” of her broadcast when she was within the anchor chair.
