The ratings are in forTony Dokoupil's official debut as anchor ofCBS Evening News, and while the numbers were up on the show's season averages, they still trailed ABC and NBC by a wide margin.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, citing Nielsen viewing data, Dokoupil's Monday (January 5) broadcast drew4.37 million total viewersand596,000 viewers in the key adults 25-54 demographic. This was up around nine per cent from theEvening Newsseason average of 4.02 million and up 20 per cent in the demo from a 498,500 average.
Technically, Dokoupil made his debut earlier than expected, when he was called in to anchor on Saturday (January 3) to cover thecapture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Viewing data for the Saturday broadcast hasn't been made available.
While the Monday broadcast improved onEvening News' season average, the numbers were still well behind rival shows ABC'sWorld News Tonight with David Muir, which led the 6:30 pm slot on Monday with 8.24 million viewers, andNBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas, which averaged 7.21 million viewers.
NBC also led the night in the 25-54 demo with just under 1.1 million viewers, while ABC drew 1.02 million.
Dokoupil's move fromCBS MorningstoCBS Evening Newscame after several shake-ups at CBS News, including the hiring ofThe Free Pressco-founderBari Weissas editor-in-chief in October.
Tony Dokoupil and Katy Tur; Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards
On New Year's Day,CBS News shared a video statementfrom Dokoupil, who urged viewers to hold him to account as he begins his new role. In his statement, he promised to prioritize the average American over advertisers, politicians, and corporate interests, including his CBS bosses.
However, Dokoupil's debut week has beenmarred by technical issuesandcriticisms of trying to appeasethe Trump administration.
Dokoupil's wife, MS NOW anchorKaty Tur, has been lending her support to her husband amid the backlash. On Wednesday, she shared a clip of Dokoupil's interview with White House Border Czar Tom Homan on her Instagram stories. She also expressed her supportin an Instagram postof his interview about growing up in Miami, writing, "I love this man."
CBS Evening News With Tony Dokoupil, Weeknights, 6:30/5:30c, CBS
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