‘CBS Evening News’ Anchor Tony Dokoupil Is Reportedly ‘Starting to Panic’ as Ratings Decline

CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil is hoping not to sign off air indefinitely.

The 45-year-old journalist — who was named anchor in December after a major shake-up at the news network — “is starting to panic” as ratings decline, a CBS source told journalist Rob Shuter for a Tuesday, February 10, post on his Naughty But Nice Substack.

“He’s asking people what comes next — because he can feel this slipping away,” the source added.

Reports state that the evening news program’s ratings have recently dropped, with a loss of about 400,000 viewers in a week and down around 600,000 viewers from last year.

“Longtime viewers have checked out,” another source told Shuter. “And once they leave the habit, they don’t come back.”

Last month, Variety reported that CBS News is seeking buyouts at CBS Evening News, according to two people familiar with the matter. One of Variety’s sources also claimed that Dokoupil has tried to “dissuade management” from making cuts from CBS Evening News.

Dokoupil, who began anchor duties in January, came under fire just days after he started his new position for getting emotional on air and interviewing his mother for a lighthearted segment.

According to one of Shuter’s sources, Dokoupil is now “thinking three steps ahead” given the uncertainty at CBS, adding: “If this collapses, he doesn’t want to be standing there with nothing.”

“Tony didn’t sign up to be a placeholder,” a colleague said. “He wanted a legacy job. Now he’s worried this will define him — and not in a good way.”

One of the issues the evening news show seems to be facing is a clear sense of direction amid CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss’ changes to the organization.

As previously reported, Weiss wants the organization to invest in more “revelatory journalism” with an “emphasis on scoops,” including investigative reports and hard-hitting stories.

“The show doesn’t know what it is anymore,” a veteran producer told Shuter. “It’s neither trusted journalism nor compelling television. It’s just… there.”