After 12 years as an anchor chair, she says ‘It’s time to do something different.’
Norah O’Donnell, anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News, announced on Tuesday she is stepping down from her current role.
O’Donnell emphasized her gratitude for the past five years with the Evening News team. She recalled achieving many milestones with them, including earning Emmy, Murrow, and DuPont awards, anchoring through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and interviewing Pope Francis.
Having spent 12 years as an anchor chair at CBS News, O’Donnell expressed her desire for a change, stating, “It’s time to do something different.”
“ This presidential election will be my seventh as a journalist, and for many of us in this business we tend to look at our careers in terms of these milestone events.
Despite leaving her anchor position, the 50-year-old said she would continue contributing to CBS News.
“I’m pleased to share that I have made a long-term commitment to CBS News to continue to do the same storytelling and big interviews that have been our hallmark,” she said, highlighting her continued involvement in Evening News and other CBS broadcasts, including 60 Minutes.
O’Donnell acknowledged the transformative period the journalism industry is undergoing and expressed optimism about the opportunities it presents.
“I see this as an opportunity,” she remarked, extending her gratitude to Wendy McMahon, CBS News’ co-president, for enabling her new role.
She wrote that her new role would allow her to expand the reach of her work across various CBS platforms, including streaming, digital, primetime, and Paramount+.
O’Donnell said as she prepares for the transition to a new role she remains committed to covering the 2024 election with the same dedication and excellence she has always demonstrated.
O’Donnell’s Work is ‘Legendary’
In her own statement, McMahon said the anchor will now “have the real estate and flexibility to leverage big bookings on numerous platforms, including primetime specials, 60 Minutes, CBS News Sunday Morning, and more” after she finishes leading the network through this fall’s presidential election.
“The fact is … Norah’s superpower is her ability to secure and then masterfully deliver unparalleled interviews and stories that set the news cycle and capture the cultural zeitgeist,” McMahon wrote.
“From her global exclusive with Pope Francis to her interviews with every living president, Norah’s newsmaking interviews always deliver for the audience. How many people can effortlessly shift from field-anchoring on an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea to sitting down with Bono and Dolly Parton? Norah’s work here is legendary, and she has several major interviews in the works that will be equally memorable and momentous.”
McMahon added that although many will have questions about the Evening News program going forward, it will still be a while before she steps down, and the network will share more about their plans “soon.”
Ciprian-Matthews’s resignation came just days after CBS parent company Paramount Global announced a merger with production company Skydance Media and some expected layoffs.
Jana J. Pruet contributed to this article.