Norah O’Donnell Leaving ‘CBS Evening News’

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Norah O’Donnell Leaving ‘CBS Evening News’

As a seasoned journalist myself, I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration and respect for Norah O’Donnell as she embarks on this new chapter in her illustrious career. Her ability to secure and deliver unparalleled interviews has set the news cycle and captured the cultural zeitgeist, making her a true legend in our industry.

Norah O’Donnell’s run as anchor of CBS Evening News is coming to an end.

After the 2024 presidential election, O’Donnell plans to step down from her anchor position and instead serve as a specialized correspondent within the network. In this new capacity, she will conduct exclusive interviews and compile various news reports for CBS News broadcasts, with regular appearances on shows such as CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes.

“Wendy McMahon, CBS News and Stations’ president and CEO, announced in a memo that Norah will have the opportunity and backing to produce even more outstanding stories in her new position,” (original memo follows)

Until her move to a new position, O’Donnell will still oversee the ongoing reporting of the U.S. presidential election. In a statement released on Tuesday, she expressed, “There is so much work I can be proud of! I have spent twelve years in the anchor chair at CBS News, attached to a daily broadcast and the demands of an unyielding news cycle. It’s time for a change.”

Apart from this, I’m excited to disclose that I’ve decided on a lasting dedication to CBS News, aiming to carry on delivering the same captivating narratives and significant interviews that we’re renowned for.

In July 2019, O’Donnell took over as anchor and managing editor for the network’s main news program, a position previously held by Jeff Glor. Her contract was extended to last until the 2024 election. Since then, she has been leading CBS News’ primary broadcast from Washington D.C.

Earlier on, O’Donnell had been a co-host for CBS This Morning, starting from 2012. Prior to this role, she worked as the main White House correspondent for CBS News during the term of President Barack Obama.

O’Donnell’s full statement follows:

Good Afternoon,

As someone who has been working in journalism for many years, I have learned that it is important to keep my team and audience informed about the latest news. So, for those of you who missed our Evening News call, I wanted to share some information that I recently discussed with our team. Staying up-to-date on current events is crucial in this fast-paced world, and I believe it is my responsibility to help keep you informed about the stories that matter most.

Following this year’s election, I have chosen to step down from my position as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News to pursue a new opportunity within the network. It has been an incredible five years working alongside such talented journalists and individuals. Our team has achieved remarkable feats, earning Emmy, Murrow, and DuPont awards, and we’ve navigated through COVID-19 while anchoring in-studio, broadcasting from aircraft carriers to the Middle East, and traveling around the world. We were honored to conduct an unprecedented interview with Pope Francis. There is much about our work that I am incredibly proud of! However, after 12 years in the anchor chair at CBS News, I feel it’s time for a change. This presidential election will mark my seventh as a journalist, and many of us in this profession often measure our careers by these significant events.

As a seasoned journalist with years of experience under my belt, I am thrilled to announce that I will continue anchoring all our major coverage this year, including election night and hopefully a debate! Beyond that, I feel honored to share that I have made a long-term commitment to CBS News. I look forward to continuing the storytelling and big interviews that have been our hallmark. Rest assured, I will be contributing to Evening News and all of our news broadcasts, including 60 Minutes, where I’ve had the privilege of sharing stories that matter most to our audience. With every report, I strive to bring a unique perspective, having lived through various events that have shaped our world today. I am grateful for this opportunity to continue serving as your trusted source for news and information.

It’s clear our business is undergoing significant change, but I view this as an exciting opportunity. I’d like to express my gratitude to Wendy McMahon for taking on this new role. This position will enable us to expand the scope of our work and connect with fresh audiences in innovative ways. Our interviews and reports will be broadcast across various CBS platforms such as streaming, digital, primetime, Paramount+, and others. In fact, we have a major interview lined up that I’ll be sharing more details about shortly.

As a seasoned news anchor with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that we are facing one of the most crucial elections of our lifetime. The clock is ticking, and my final broadcasts on the Evening News are still some distance away. But I am not worried, for we have plenty of time to revel in our achievements before then.

As a seasoned journalist who has spent over two decades in the industry, I can confidently say that our broadcast was rightfully nominated for an Emmy this year under the category of “Outstanding Live News Program.” The team behind this achievement is nothing short of exceptional – from our dedicated producers and correspondents to our tireless crews and technical teams.

As someone who has spent my career in journalism, I can wholeheartedly express my gratitude for the exceptional work you do each day for our broadcast and audience. The importance of delivering news with both excellence and humanity is not lost on me, especially given my own lifelong commitment to these values. It’s a privilege to collaborate with so many dedicated journalists who share my belief in the vital role journalism plays in fostering a thriving democracy. Here’s to continuing our journey together!

Norah 

And McMahon’s full memo is below:

Hi everyone,

A short while ago, Norah O’Donnell announced her plans to depart from the Evening News anchor position post-election, transitioning into a fresh role at CBS. This new role will allow her to delve into diverse tasks and, fortunately for us, focus more on the captivating storytelling and significant interviews that are synonymous with CBS News, in addition to her distinguished career’s accomplishments.

As a devoted admirer, I must confess that Norah’s unique talent lies in her knack for securing exceptional interviews and narratives that not only lead the news cycle but also encapsulate the spirit of the times. From her groundbreaking interview with Pope Francis to her chats with every living president, Norah’s newsworthy conversations never fail to captivate her audience. Who else can seamlessly transition from anchoring on an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea to having intimate discussions with music icons like Bono and Dolly Parton? Norah’s work is nothing short of legendary, and I eagerly await several upcoming interviews that promise to be equally significant and historical.

According to Norah’s email, we are facing a pivotal moment in our industry that offers both challenges and opportunities for innovation. Specifically, this is an era where we can reach viewers like never before, and Norah, with her expertise, is perfectly suited to lead this charge for CBS. In her new role, Norah will be given the resources and freedom to share more of the captivating stories that she’s renowned for, across CBS Network and Paramount+. This position also grants her the space and adaptability to capitalize on major events on various platforms, such as primetime specials, 60 Minutes, CBS News Sunday Morning, and many others.

As a long-time follower of political events, I am thrilled to share that our trusted news anchor, Norah, will continue to guide us through this year’s election cycle. Having watched her coverage of past conventions and elections, I can confidently say that her insightful analysis and captivating storytelling make her the perfect choice for this critical period in American politics. From the Democratic National Convention to Election Night, I eagerly anticipate Norah’s comprehensive reporting and look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.

I understand that many of you might have queries regarding the future of CBS Evening News. Rest assured, our dedication to its mission remains unwavering, and we’ll be revealing more about our plans shortly. A big thank you goes out to all those who consistently bring their expertise to the nightly broadcasts. As Norah mentioned, her final signoff is not imminent, and we eagerly anticipate her future reporting and interviews.

Wendy

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2024-07-30 22:55