CBS is staring down what could be the worst January in its history.
Early Nielsen numbers reveal the network’s flagship broadcasts and late-night offerings are struggling, with viewership slipping to record lows.
From evening news to Saturday mornings, CBS seems to be losing its grip on audiences at a worrying pace.
Evening News Struggles Under Tony Dokoupil
The CBS Evening News, now anchored by former CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil, pulled in just 4.3 million viewers — a steep drop compared to last year’s numbers under Norah O’Donnell.
In the critical 25-54 demographic coveted by advertisers, the loss is even more pronounced, with the show shedding nearly 20% of viewers within the first week of January alone.
Late Night With Stephen Colbert Set for Shutdown
Trouble isn’t limited to the news desk. ‘Late Night with Stephen Colbert’ is facing cancellation in May, after a decade on air, following losses of around $40 million per year.
The show’s audience in the key demographic has plummeted to 285,000 — the lowest in its history.
The combination of dwindling ratings and financial strain has forced the network to pull the plug on one of its biggest late-night names.
Saturday Mornings Fail to Lift CBS
Even CBS Saturday Morning isn’t immune.
The new hosts, Adriana Diaz and Kelly O’Grady, have been unable to attract viewers, drawing just 1.6 million overall and 207,000 in the 25-54 range.
All three shows have been on a downward trajectory for months, while competitors on ABC and NBC continue to grow their audiences.
A Rocky Start for Dokoupil
Dokoupil’s early days as anchor have been shaky.
Nielsen data from the first full week of January shows a week-long slide: 4.3 million on Monday, down to 3.9 million by Thursday.
On-air flubs only amplified the perception of a rocky start.
In his first broadcast, he repeatedly stumbled over transitions, confused a photograph of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and even misnamed Walz’s home state.
Dokoupil Promises a Return to Trust
Before hitting the desk, Dokoupil appeared in a promo promising viewers he would work tirelessly to regain their confidence.
He vowed to report in a way that prioritized ordinary Americans, rather than just academics or elite voices.
The pledge, however, has yet to translate into ratings recovery.
Bari Weiss Leads CBS Overhaul
Since taking over as editor-in-chief in October, Bari Weiss has orchestrated a major reshuffle, promoting Dokoupil, Diaz, and O’Grady, and appointing Matt Gutman as chief reporter.
The moves, however, have been controversial.
Sources say ABC allowed Gutman to leave without resistance, highlighting Weiss’s inexperience.
Controversial Decisions and Flops
Weiss’s tenure has already been marked by high-profile missteps.
A CBS town hall she hosted last month drew poor ratings, and her decision to pull a 60 Minutes segment about El Salvador’s CECOT prison drew ridicule from media insiders.
The network’s handling of these events has fueled criticism both internally and in the public eye.
Financial Pressure Forces Colbert Exit
For Colbert, the financial reality proved insurmountable.
With losses of $40 million a year, CBS announced his show will end in May.
The cancellation underscores the network’s struggles to balance viewership, revenue, and long-term strategy amidst its programming shake-up.
What’s Next for CBS
CBS now faces critical questions. Can Dokoupil stabilize the Evening News?
Will the new hosts of Saturday Morning find their footing? And can the network restore its reputation after months of falling ratings and high-profile missteps? For now,
CBS watchers will be watching closely as January’s slump sets the tone for the months ahead.
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