Tony Dokoupil Named New Anchor of CBS Evening News Starting January 2026
Tony Dokoupil has been promoted to anchor the CBS Evening News, with his tenure beginning on January 5, 2026. The decision followed considerations of several external anchors, including Bret Baier and Dana Perino; however, CBS News ultimately favored the internal candidate. Previously, Norah O’Donnell anchored the show.
Dokoupil, 44, joined CBS News in 2016. He has co-hosted CBS Mornings since 2019 and was formerly a correspondent for MSNBC. CBS News president Tom Cibrowski praised him as an authentic, compassionate, and unafraid evening news anchor.
Since the fall of 2024, CBS Evening News had adopted a dual-anchor format amid viewer losses and leadership changes, with John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois preparing to depart. Historically, the CBS Evening News has seen a series of short-tenured anchors since the Dan Rather era, including well-known hosts such as Katie Couric, Scott Pelley, Jeff Glor, and Anthony Mason.
Dokoupil's appointment will be marked by a cross-country tour to launch his role as anchor. Earlier in fall 2024, he faced controversy over an interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates that drew criticism for lacking impartiality. Adrienne Roark stated that the interview violated CBS editorial guidelines, though this position was later challenged by Shari Redstone.
