CBS News co-anchor John Dickerson steps down amid Weiss-led shakeup

John Dickerson announced he will be leaving CBS News at the end of December after spending 16 years with the network,Yahoo News reports. This departure signals the beginning of a major transformation at CBS News, particularly as new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss settles into her role. Dickerson first joined CBS in 2009 and became co-anchor of the Evening News program this year alongside Maurice DuBois. He expressed deep gratitude for his time at CBS, acknowledging both the work opportunities and his colleagues who helped him grow as a journalist.

CBS News President Tom Cibrowski praised Dickerson as someone who represents the finest qualities of journalism and confirmed he would continue hosting the program through the holiday season. According to Yahoo News, this marks the first significant talent loss since Weiss assumed control of the network, coming shortly after the head of standards also announced her departure from CBS.

Evening news struggles in ratings

Dickerson's exit raises important questions about the future direction of the “CBS Evening News” broadcast,Variety indicates. The two-anchor format featuring Dickerson and DuBois has struggled to gain traction in the ratings, falling further behind competing programs on ABC and NBC. Dickerson brought a unique and energetic on-screen style, while DuBois offered smoother delivery, but this unconventional pairing failed to connect with audiences.

During his long tenure at CBS, Dickerson moved between numerous positions across the network's programming, including “Face the Nation,” “CBS This Morning,” and “60 Minutes,” showcasing his versatility and political expertise. Variety notes that CBS News leadership has recently begun reaching out to talent agencies to explore potential new anchors, suggesting preparations are underway for another format change. The network faces additional pressure from cost-cutting measures implemented by Paramount Skydance following their acquisition of the company.

First major change under new leadership

The announcement represents a shocking development for CBS News, particularly since Dickerson only began his Evening News co-anchor position in January, TV Insider reports. This programming shake-up arrives as the first major change under Bari Weiss's editorial leadership, which began earlier in October. Dickerson's career at CBS spanned an impressive range of responsibilities, from his initial role as “Face the Nation” moderator to later becoming the network's political director.

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Before joining CBS in 2009, he worked at Slate and Time magazine, establishing himself as a skilled writer and political commentator. TV Insider confirms that Dickerson will remain with the network until the end of 2025, giving CBS time to plan the transition and honor his contributions to their success over nearly two decades of distinguished service.