Norah O’Donnell, a prominent figure in CBS News, is set to return to the morning news lineup as part of a revamped team for “CBS Mornings.” The show, which has faced declining viewership in recent months, will feature O’Donnell alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson, a trio CBS executives believe will rejuvenate the program’s ratings and appeal to audiences. O’Donnell’s return marks her first appearance on the morning show since 2019, when she left to anchor “CBS Evening News.” Tom Cibrowski, president of CBS News, emphasized the strategic importance of the move, stating that the network aims to leverage its most experienced anchors to address the challenges facing morning television. “People have very serious issues to deal with every day in their lives, and between Norah, Gayle, and Nate, the three of them bring relatability, credibility, experience, and knowledge,” Cibrowski said. “They are incredibly familiar to CBS viewers, which is important.” O’Donnell’s return comes at a critical juncture for “CBS Mornings,” which has struggled to maintain its position in the early news landscape. As of August 30, the show’s audience has dropped by 9% compared to the same period last year, reaching approximately 1.7 million viewers. This decline is particularly pronounced among the 25-54 demographic, the key demographic for advertisers, which has seen a 20% drop to about 278,000 viewers. In contrast, “Today” and “Good Morning America” have maintained or increased their audiences, with the former holding 612,000 viewers and the latter 478,000. O’Donnell’s expertise in hard news and investigative reporting is expected to bolster the show’s credibility. She has previously covered significant stories, including investigations into harassment within the U.S. military and securing a high-profile interview with Pope Francis.#cbs_news #cbs_mornings #gayle_king #nate_burleson #norah_odonnell
CBS Rehires Norah O’Donnell to Co-Anchor Morning Show Amid Ratings Struggles CBS is set to rehire journalist Norah O’Donnell as a co-anchor for its morning news program, a role she previously held from 2012 to 2019. The decision follows a period of declining viewership and broader challenges for the network, which has struggled to compete with rivals NBC and ABC in the morning news segment. O’Donnell, who recently transitioned from a contributor to a full-time correspondent for the upcoming 59th season of 60 Minutes, will return to the CBS Mornings lineup beginning 8 September. She will co-anchor alongside Gayle King and former NFL star Nate Burleson, marking a significant shift in the show’s lineup. O’Donnell’s return to the morning show comes after she stepped down from the CBS Evening News anchor position following the 2024 presidential election. Her departure left a vacancy that was initially filled by Tony Dokoupil, the show’s existing co-host, who took over the evening news role. Dokoupil’s transition created an opening on CBS Mornings, which O’Donnell is now filling. The move reflects CBS’s effort to revamp its morning programming amid persistent ratings struggles. In July, the show averaged 1.62 million total viewers, significantly lower than NBC’s 2.77 million and ABC’s 2.79 million during the same period. Between 27 and 31 July, CBS Mornings recorded its lowest audience in the program’s history, with an average of 1.57 million viewers. The decision to bring back O’Donnell was highlighted in an internal memo from Jon Tower, CBS Morning producer, who described the move as a “homecoming.” Tower emphasized the chemistry between O’Donnell and King, noting their long-standing partnership and mutual respect. “They have a friendship and chemistry that extends beyond the studio.#60_minutes #cbs #gayle_king #nate_burleson #norah_odonnell
Norah O'Donnell Returning as Co-Host of "CBS Mornings" Norah O'Donnell is set to return to "CBS Mornings" as a co-host, joining Gayle King and Nate Burleson, beginning Tuesday. The Emmy Award-winning journalist, who previously co-hosted the show with King for seven years, will reunite with her longtime collaborator after stepping down in 2019 to anchor the "CBS Evening News." O'Donnell also serves as a "60 Minutes" correspondent and hosts the weekly women's health podcast "Healthful." In an email to staff, "CBS Mornings" senior producer Jon Tower praised the dynamic between King and O'Donnell, calling their partnership "one of the most memorable in the history of the morning news." He highlighted their mutual respect, friendship, and ability to connect with audiences, stating that the trio would be an ideal team for navigating the news. O'Donnell's career includes covering eight presidential elections and conducting interviews with every living U.S. president, as well as late former President Jimmy Carter. In 2024, she conducted a historic papal interview with Pope Francis, marking the first such conversation between an American journalist and the Pope. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including the 2022 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award and the 2021 Scripps Howard Award for an investigative report on sexual assault in the U.S. military. In 2023, she and the "CBS Evening News" won an Edward R. Murrow Award for their coverage of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Before becoming an anchor, O'Donnell served as CBS News' chief White House correspondent during the Obama administration. She is also the author of the New York Times bestseller "We the Women: Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America," a book released to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.#cbs_mornings #norah_odonnell #gayle_king #nate_burleson #jon_tower
