Chuck Todd Exits NBC After 20 Years, CBS Overhauls Evening News Format

NEW YORK — Chuck Todd, NBC News’ chief political analyst and former moderator of “Meet the Press,” announced his departure from the network after nearly two decades. In a memo to NBC staffers, Todd expressed gratitude for his time at the network and excitement for new projects, including his podcast, “ChuckToddcast,” which will continue under a new platform.

Meanwhile, CBS is revamping its “Evening News” format following Norah O'Donnell‘s departure. The new iteration will feature a team of co-anchors, including Maurice DuBois and Margaret Brennan, with WCBS meteorologist Lonnie Quinn playing a significant role. The changes aim to align the national broadcast with the look and feel of local news programs, which continue to attract viewers despite the rise of digital media.

O’Donnell, who anchored her final broadcast on Jan. 23, 2025, received a surprise tribute from Oprah Winfrey and thanked viewers for embracing “hard news with heart.” During her tenure, the program maintained an average of 5.037 million viewers, though it remained in third place behind ABC‘s “World News Tonight” and NBC’s “NBC Nightly News.”

The new CBS format reflects broader industry trends as networks adapt to shifting viewer habits and financial pressures. Paramount, CBS’s parent company, is under pressure to cut costs, and the network hopes the revamped “Evening News” will attract a broader audience. However, the risk remains that loyal viewers may resist the changes, which break from the traditional single-anchor format established by predecessors like Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather.

O’Donnell will transition to a senior correspondent role, focusing on high-profile interviews and enterprise reporting across CBS News platforms. Her move comes at a time when many TV news organizations are grappling with financial challenges and evolving audience expectations.