Release
A Message from Wendy McMahon on the CBS Evening News

Hi everyone,
Over the past months, every correspondent… every newsroom… every team member… has risen to the occasion during this non-stop news cycle to deliver coverage rich in context, depth, and thoughtfulness. I cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done to provide reporting that exemplifies the highest standards of CBS News. This is a moment that demands our very best: a time that requires us to come together, to leverage our top editorial minds across the organization, to strengthen our commitment and our coverage across every show and stream, in service to our viewers and one another.
With Norah’s decision to take on a new role at CBS, we’ve decided to rethink and redesign the Evening News, driven by our goals to maximize the power of our people and our most important franchises, to produce courageous and distinctive journalism that informs and enlightens, and finally, to compete aggressively… on broadcast and beyond.
As such, we have a few announcements to share today.
First, after the election, the CBS Evening News will return to New York – back to the Fish Bowl – where it will once again be the nerve center and the editorial backbone of the News Hub in the Broadcast Center. The D.C. bureau will continue being a vital part of our coverage across the Network as it always has, and our journalists and their work will remain prominent on the Evening News. Rest assured that after the broadcast moves to New York, our commitment to the D.C. bureau and the exceptional journalism it produces will remain unwavering.
Leading the CBS Evening News’ return to New York will be Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, who has agreed to take on an expanded purview as the supervising producer of the CBS Evening News. As supervising producer, Bill will manage the overall editorial direction of the broadcast, infusing 60 Minutes’ DNA and values into the program while introducing a new format and team. Bill will share more details on his editorial plans and announce key leadership posts soon. Thankfully, he’s agreed to become supervising producer of the Evening News, while remaining executive producer of 60 Minutes, where he has also agreed to a multi-year extension. This marks a return to the Evening News for Bill, where he served as the senior broadcast producer with Bob Schieffer beginning in 2005, and before that, reported from the White House and around the world with CBS News greats like Bill Plante, Scott Pelley and Rita Braver.
Bill's expanded role will be instrumental in maximizing our editorial capabilities across the division and every night on the Evening News. As we evolve and enhance our news gathering operations, the importance of the Evening News as our flagship evening broadcast cannot be overstated. It will be at the center of our efforts to report and reveal the news in service to the audience. Bill’s leadership will be essential in shaping it into a broadcast for the future that embodies the best of CBS News values.
When we launch the CBS Evening News from New York, it will feature a new look and format, led by an ensemble team of award-winning and respected journalists: John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois will anchor from the Broadcast Center. Regularly leading our coverage from Washington, D.C. when news breaks on the political and foreign affairs front will be Margaret Brennan, CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent and moderator of Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan. Lonnie Quinn is being named chief weathercaster for the CBS Evening News, where he will deliver the latest weather reporting and forecasts from our new AR/VR studio.
John’s unparalleled mastery of politics and democratic principles enables him to contextualize complex subjects. Viewers experience this streaming nightly on CBS News 24/7 via The Daily Report with John Dickerson. Maurice is a trusted voice and a skilled broadcaster who has guided CBS New York’s audiences through some of the most pivotal breaking news stories of our time, both from behind the desk and on the scene. Lonnie’s reporting during major weather events and his daily forecasts on WCBS have earned him the audience’s respect. We all know when he rolls up his shirtsleeves, he means business. And Margaret’s incisive interviews and analysis on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, the #1 Sunday morning public affairs program in America, as well as her foreign affairs reporting across CBS News will now become a staple on the Evening News.
During our recent political coverage, John, Maurice and Margaret’s unmatched reporting and analysis were on full display alongside our exceptionally talented colleagues across the organization. They will continue to be a fixture of our coverage. And in the months ahead, in addition to their Evening News duties, John will continue anchoring on CBS News 24/7, and Maurice will continue to anchor on WCBS. Lonnie joins the ranks of the talented experts we are building within the CBS News Weather Network, and he’s already gotten started with appearances on the Evening News. He will continue in his role at WCBS. Additional CBS News correspondents will join this ensemble of journalists to contribute regularly to the broadcast and offer their subject-matter expertise and reporting on key topics in the news.
As Bill often notes, CBS News’ legacy is one of legendary giants in the field – courageous teams in front of and behind the camera. Returning to our roots and elevating those who are the very best in their respective fields every night – in service to the Evening News viewer – will be the goal.
With Bill overseeing both 60 Minutes and Evening News, we look forward to 60 Minutes correspondents filing for the Evening News when they have big news to break. For decades this was routine; so it will be again. They will join veteran journalists like Jim Axelrod and Steve Hartman who spearhead the broadcast’s signature segments Eye on America and On The Road, which will continue as differentiated offerings the audience has come to expect from us.
As Norah shared in her announcement, we look forward to her continuing to lead our political coverage and the Evening News through the election. Her significant contributions across CBS will remain prominent on our shows and streams when she begins her new role later this year. Adam Verdugo, a 10-year veteran at CBS News, will continue to executive produce the duPont and Emmy award-winning Evening News and support the team through the transition.
During the town hall in April, we talked about the opportunity to redefine television for an evolving audience. This vision for the CBS Evening News draws on the innovation and imagination of our past and brings together the incredible storytelling and reporting power from every one of our correspondents and newsrooms to shape our future.
We recognize there’s a lot here. These are big changes, and they are happening amid a turbulent political season and heightened conflicts overseas. But what we know is that CBS News is at its best when we come together to honor our purpose and mission as journalists to meet the audience where they are today – and ensure we exceed their expectations for tomorrow.
In the days and weeks ahead, we will host meetings across the organization in New York, Washington, London and Los Angeles to answer questions and share more about our plans for this next chapter of the Evening News broadcast and CBS News. For now, let’s all remain focused on the task at hand: the incredible work you are all doing and will continue to do as we cover this important moment in our country’s history.
Thank you,
Wendy