The Seven Seismic Shifts Inside CBS News: Anchor Changes, Streaming Dominance, And The 2025 Digital Strategy
The landscape of American broadcast journalism is undergoing a radical change, and CBS News is at the epicenter of this seismic shift. As of late 2025, the network is executing a sweeping strategy that touches every major program, from the flagship evening broadcast to its burgeoning digital platforms. This transformation, driven by both executive vision and the relentless need to compete in the streaming era, ensures that the information you receive today is delivered by a new lineup and through cutting-edge channels, making this a pivotal year for the legacy news organization.
The network's moves in 2025 demonstrate a clear commitment to a dual-platform future, balancing the tradition of its iconic shows with the aggressive demands of the 24/7 news cycle. The most visible changes involve a significant shake-up of key personnel, new dedicated streaming shows, and a renewed focus on investigative journalism to capture a younger, digitally native audience.
The New Faces of CBS News: A Complete Personnel and Program Roster (2025)
The biggest news out of CBS in 2025 involves a dramatic restructuring of its on-air talent, particularly at the network's most prestigious time slots. This movement of high-profile journalists is a clear signal of the new direction under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.
- CBS Evening News: The year 2025 saw a transitional period after Norah O'Donnell stepped down as anchor. The broadcast was briefly co-anchored by veteran journalists John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois. However, the long-term plan was cemented with the announcement that Emmy Award-winning journalist Tony Dokoupil will take over as the sole anchor of the *CBS Evening News* starting in January 2026.
- CBS Mornings: With Tony Dokoupil transitioning to the evening broadcast, the morning show, which he co-hosted, is facing a major lineup change. He wrapped up his run on the program in late 2025, leaving co-hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson to continue the program's success while a permanent replacement is sought.
- Face the Nation: The network's premier Sunday public affairs program continues to be moderated by Margaret Brennan. The program's coverage, including its focus on the Israel-Hamas war, earned an Emmy nomination in 2025, highlighting its continued relevance in political journalism.
- 60 Minutes: The iconic newsmagazine remains a cornerstone of the network, with a roster of distinguished correspondents including Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Bill Whitaker, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, L. Jon Wertheim, and Cecilia Vega. The executive leadership also saw a change, with Tanya Simon taking over as Executive Producer in 2025.
- Key Correspondents & Reporters: The team was bolstered by the addition of Matt Gutman, who was named CBS News chief correspondent. Other notable figures include Major Garrett, the chief Washington correspondent, and national investigative correspondent Tom Hanson.
The Aggressive Pivot to Streaming and Digital Transformation
The most strategically significant moves by CBS News in 2025 are found in its digital and streaming strategy. Recognizing that the future of news consumption is on-demand and non-linear, the network is aggressively expanding its presence on the CBS News 24/7 FAST news streamer. This approach is central to their efforts in the competitive landscape against rivals like NBC News and ABC News.
1. Launch of 'CBS Evening News Plus'
In a direct response to the shifting habits of news consumers, CBS launched *CBS Evening News Plus* in 2025. This is a streaming-exclusive companion broadcast to the traditional evening newscast. This innovative format is designed to provide deeper context, behind-the-scenes access, and expanded interviews that cannot fit into the tight constraints of the nightly television program. The "Plus" model is a key element of their digital transformation, ensuring the classic news franchise remains relevant to a younger, streaming audience.
2. 'CBS News 24/7 Prime Time' Debut
Further cementing its commitment to the streaming platform, the network debuted *CBS News 24/7 Prime Time* in May 2025, anchored by Elizabeth Cook. This new broadcast is a cornerstone of the CBS-owned FAST news streamer, offering a dedicated, produced prime-time show specifically for the digital audience. This move is a strategic advantage, allowing CBS to offer high-quality, appointment-viewing content outside of the linear broadcast schedule and directly compete with cable and digital-native news rivals.
3. The 'Things That Matter' Series Commitment
In a push to provide more in-depth, single-issue reporting, CBS News announced a series of one-hour programs under the title *Things That Matter*. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to more town hall and debate telecasts, demonstrating a focus on substantive, high-value journalism over constant breaking news. The topics are expected to cover complex issues facing Americans today, aligning with the network's long-standing tradition of in-depth reporting through series like *Eye on America*.
The Renewed Focus on Investigative Journalism and Topical Authority
Beyond the anchor desk, the core of CBS News's topical authority rests on its commitment to investigative journalism. The network utilizes several distinct brands and platforms to deliver high-impact reporting on crime, corruption, and global crises.
4. The Enduring Power of '60 Minutes'
As one of the most respected programs in television history, *60 Minutes* continues to be the gold standard for long-form investigative journalism. The program's ability to secure exclusive interviews and conduct deep-dive reports on critical issues—from national politics to global conflicts—provides an unparalleled competitive edge.
5. The 'CBS Reports' Documentary Series
The network has revitalized its documentary unit under the *CBS Reports* banner, which airs on both broadcast and the streaming platform. These documentaries delve into complex societal issues. Recent topics have included the struggle of America's sons in the documentary *Boys to Men: Why America's Sons are Struggling* and the fight for the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in institutions. This documentary focus is a key component of their content strategy to build topical authority on difficult subjects.
6. Deepening Coverage on Global and National Crises
CBS News has dedicated significant resources to ongoing major stories, including the Crisis in the Middle East, the political drama surrounding the Trump Administration, and the existential threat of Climate Change. This comprehensive, multi-platform coverage ensures that the network is a primary source for major world events. Furthermore, the network has been central to reporting on high-profile legal matters, including the ongoing fallout and release of the Epstein files in late 2025.
7. The Strategic Advantage in Media Competition
The overall 2025 strategy—combining a refreshed anchor team with an aggressive digital push—is a direct response to the low-cost competitors and the fragmented media landscape. By investing heavily in streaming-exclusive content and committing to high-quality, single-issue programming through *Things That Matter*, CBS News aims to differentiate itself from cable news and digital rivals. The goal is to leverage its legacy of trustworthy broadcast journalism while embracing the future of digital transformation and streaming news.
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