CBS Evening News Reboot Sparks Staff Outcry Amid Bari Weiss' Revamp

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Gilberto Tadday/TED

A New Era for CBS Evening News?

CBS News is undergoing a major transformation under the leadership of Bari Weiss, who has taken on the role of editor-in-chief. This shift comes as part of a broader effort to reboot the iconic CBS Evening News. One of the first steps in this process is a 10-city tour that will see Weiss traveling across the United States with the show’s staff and a five-person armed security detail.

This initiative has sparked significant debate within the network. According to reports, Weiss has been involved in various aspects of the program's relaunch, including the selection of Tony Dokoupil as the new anchor. Dokoupil made a public pledge during a video released by CBS, stating that he would prioritize the audience over advertisers, politicians, or corporate interests. His first broadcast is set for Monday, marking the beginning of an ambitious two-week tour across 10 U.S. cities, including Miami, Dallas, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh.

Weiss is reportedly chartering a private jet to each location, which has raised questions about the network's priorities. Three sources with knowledge of the matter confirmed that the private jet will carry Dokoupil, CBS Evening News executive producer Kim Harvey, and Weiss's security team. This level of involvement from Weiss has led to concerns among some employees about her presence at each broadcast.

A CBS News staffer shared their frustration, saying, “Nothing says ‘meeting Americans where they are’ by flying around the country on a private jet costing millions of dollars.” This comment reflects a broader critique of the network's previous reliance on elite voices, which Weiss had previously criticized. The staffer also questioned the necessity of the security detail, suggesting that Weiss could watch the broadcasts from the control room or through a television like other viewers.

The internal dynamics at CBS Evening News have been tense, with reports indicating that morale is low. One employee expressed despair, stating, “This really feels like the end of CBS Evening News.” Despite these concerns, CBS News and Weiss have not responded to requests for comment.

Content and Style Changes

The upcoming shows will feature a mix of serious and lighthearted segments. For example, the first broadcast in Miami includes an interview with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on school phone bans, discussions about declining trust in the press, and coverage of the Venezuelan community's growing dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump over deportations.

In addition to these segments, the show plans to include "bon bons," which are lighter, more entertaining segments. These include Dokoupil playing soccer with Inter Miami CF co-owner David Beckham, asking locals about the name of the Gulf, partying at exclusive nightclubs, or joining a boat party where he will jet ski with DJ Khaled.

Another controversial move was the posting of a video showing Dokoupil at New York’s Grand Central Station, where he asked random travelers how to pronounce his name. A CBS News employee described this as “quite the humiliating ritual,” questioning the logic behind sending an anchor with no name recognition to conduct such interviews.

Controversial Decisions

The recent internal turmoil at CBS News has been further exacerbated by the decision to cancel a segment on 60 Minutes about the Trump administration’s deportation of over 250 Venezuelans to a torture camp in El Salvador. This move has drawn criticism from within the network, highlighting the challenges faced by Weiss as she attempts to steer the direction of the news program.

As the CBS Evening News continues its reboot, the focus remains on navigating the complex landscape of modern journalism while addressing the concerns of both staff and audiences. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining the success of this new era for the iconic news program.