CBS News has offered buyouts to non-union staff on the CBS Evening News, The Hollywood Reporter has learned, as the network continues to move forward on its overhaul of the nightly news program under new anchor Tony Dokoupil.
Dokoupil took over the broadcast earlier this month, seeking to remake the show in pursuit of a larger strategy outlined by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.
Weiss held a town hall with CBS News staff Tuesday, in which she formally addressed her vision for the network news division.
“I am here to make CBS News fit for purpose in the 21st century,” she told staff. “Our industry has changed more in the last decade than in the last 150 years, and the transformation isn’t over yet. Far from it. It’s almost impossible to conceive of how fast things will move from here.”
Part of that means figuring out what an evening news looks like in the year 2026, and how these linear programs make the jump to the inevitable digital future.
“Our strategy until now has been to cling to the audience that remains on broadcast television,” she said. “If we stick to that strategy, we’re toast.”
Instead, she encouraged staff to operate as though CBS were a well-funded startup, and to think about becoming essential to a core audience.
While the buyouts at the Evening News are limited in nature, it is clear that it is part of a larger shake-up on the show, as Dokoupil and executive producer Kim Harvey seek to put a new stamp on the program.
Weiss teased a larger overhaul at CBS during her town hall, and every program, from Face the Nation and 48 Hours to 60 Minutes and Sunday Morning will likely be impacted. Weiss received support from some high-profile CBS talent following the town hall, including from CBS Mornings co-anchor Gayle King.
