Tony Dokoupil commenced his tenure as anchor of the "CBS Evening News," a role that saw a production issue occur during one of his initial broadcasts. His appointment comes as CBS News undergoes significant editorial shifts under newly appointed editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who has articulated a revised journalistic approach for the network.
Dokoupil's Debut and Prior Role
Tony Dokoupil, who previously served as co-anchor of CBS's morning show since 2019, began his new role as anchor of the "CBS Evening News." One source reported his debut occurred on a Monday. Another source indicated an initial debut broadcast took place on a Saturday night, followed by an official first broadcast on January 5.
Prior to his debut, Dokoupil stated on social media that his broadcasts would aim to be "more accountable and more transparent," suggesting previous broadcasts had "missed the story" by prioritizing "the perspective of advocates and not the average American." He also made a comment on CBS's Instagram page stating his night shift would be "more accountable and more transparent than Cronkite." CBS's official social media accounts posted messages, including one stating that his iteration of the newscast would "love America."
Broadcast Production Incident
During a segment transition on one of Dokoupil's early broadcasts, a production issue occurred. Dokoupil reportedly expected to transition from a discussion on Venezuela to a report concerning Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. However, a visual of Senator Mark Kelly appeared on screen instead. This discrepancy led to a brief silence on air. Dokoupil was heard asking, "Are we going to Kelly here?" and, according to another report, remarked, "First day, big problems here." He subsequently aligned with the teleprompter and continued the segment, which involved Senator Mark Kelly and Pete Hegseth.
New Editorial Direction at CBS News
Bari Weiss was appointed CBS News' editor-in-chief by Paramount leader David Ellison last year. Weiss has outlined a vision for a new editorial direction, stating her objective is to foster a "golden age of journalism" by detaching the network from partisan affiliations. Her approach has been characterized by an emphasis on a "common man" perspective.
Connections between Weiss and the Ellison family, owners of Paramount Skydance and CBS, have been noted, with the family publicly acknowledging an association with Benjamin Netanyahu. Before Dokoupil's appointment, reports indicated that Weiss had considered Bret Baier of Fox News and Anderson Cooper of CNN for the anchor position.
Broadcast Content Highlights
Dokoupil's initial broadcasts featured a range of topics:
- Coverage of the U.S. capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, including an interview with U.S. defense secretary Pete Hegseth. In one segment, Dokoupil stated that U.S. military action would destabilize a Russian-Chinese-Iranian base of influence in Venezuela, without citing a specific source or consulting an additional guest on this point.
- An interview with a financial expert discussed the potential impact of events in South America on gasoline prices; the legality of the U.S. extracting Venezuelan petroleum was not addressed in this segment.
- A segment regarding Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announced changes to the recommended vaccine schedule for children. Dokoupil asked a CBS News medical journalist what she would say to "parents out there who are celebrating," and the segment concluded with him stating, "So, parents are going to have some options for themselves!" Some vaccines previously more readily available may now require a physician consult.
- A segment about a small town in Oregon that raised funds by selling a nude calendar featuring senior citizens.
Reported Program Changes and Context
A segment for 60 Minutes concerning a Salvadoran prison was reportedly removed from broadcast. Separately, a "60 Minutes" segment was reportedly held by Weiss due to concerns it did not adequately represent the administration's perspective, despite the administration having declined to provide comment. Weiss also hosted a prime-time town hall with Erika Kirk.
A 2024 interview conducted by Dokoupil with Ta-Nehisi Coates regarding Israel's conflict in Palestine reportedly generated internal network discussion concerning Dokoupil's line of questioning, with outgoing Paramount chairwoman Shari Redstone reportedly supporting Dokoupil.
Evening newscast viewership has experienced a general decline across the industry. Weiss's management of "60 Minutes" has been noted in the context of its long-standing credibility and popularity in American television.