CBS brings back Norah O'Donnell to morning show
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The gist
CBS brings back Norah O'Donnell to co-anchor CBS Mornings starting 8 September. The move aims to boost ratings amid competition from NBC and ABC.
Background
Norah O'Donnell previously co-hosted CBS This Morning from 2012 to 2019 before moving to the CBS Evening News. After stepping down from the evening anchor role post-2024 election, she was replaced by Tony Dokoupil, creating a vacancy on CBS Mornings. The show has struggled in ratings, averaging 1.62 million viewers in July compared to NBC's 2.77 million and ABC's 2.79 million, and hit a historic low in late July. CBS hopes O'Donnell's reunion with Gayle King will stabilize the show.
How it unfolded
- 2012 -2019Norah O'Donnell co-hosted CBS This Morning alongside Gayle King.
- 2019O'Donnell left the morning show to become anchor of the CBS Evening News.
- after 2024 electionO'Donnell stepped down from the CBS Evening News; Tony Dokoupil took over, leaving a spot on CBS Mornings.
- recentlyO'Donnell was named a full-time correspondent for the upcoming 59th season of 60 Minutes.
- Sep 3, 2026CBS announced O'Donnell's return to CBS Mornings; producer Jon Tower sent an internal memo calling it a 'homecoming'.
- Sep 8, 2026O'Donnell is set to begin co-anchoring CBS Mornings alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- CBS producer Jon Tower expressed optimism, saying the team has 'an opportunity to build the smartest morning show on TV' and welcoming O'Donnell home.
- Public
- Some staff raised eyebrows after O'Donnell appeared in promotional videos before the official announcement, per The Post.
- Caution
- The show has faced ratings challenges, drawing its smallest audience in history in late July, which may pressure the new lineup.
Still unverified
The exact reasons for O'Donnell's return beyond ratings are not fully disclosed; some reports suggest internal dynamics under Bari Weiss, but these are not confirmed.