Dokoupil Debut Gets Modest Increase For CBS Evening News

Tony Dokoupil's debut as anchor of the "CBS Evening News" delivered a modest ratings boost on Monday, January 5, 2026, drawing 4.4 million total viewers and 596,000 in the key 25-54 demographic — up about half a million viewers from the show's recent average under previous co-anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois.

According to Nielsen figures, this represented a 9% increase in total viewers and a 20% jump in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 demo compared to the season's average to date. Sources attribute the uptick to high-profile bookings, including an exclusive interview with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado — who discussed her coalition's readiness to lead post-Nicolás Maduro's capture — and appearances by Trump administration officials such as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The gains come after the program had struggled significantly under Dickerson and DuBois, who co-anchored for roughly a year and saw viewership drop by over 1 million from prior levels, with critics describing their tenure as "stodgy" and lacking on-air chemistry.

However, Dokoupil's first official broadcast was not without challenges. The new anchor, promoted from co-host of "CBS Mornings" by CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss last month, encountered noticeable technical difficulties and on-air stumbles — including a visible teleprompter glitch that caused awkward pauses and confusion during transitions (such as shifting from Venezuela coverage to domestic stories). 

He even acknowledged "big problems" live on air during the moment, though later versions of the broadcast edited out some of the flub.

Despite the rocky start — his debut came amid major news events, including an earlier unscheduled appearance on Saturday covering the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro — the initial numbers offer a positive sign for the revamped program.

Industry observers and sources caution that such "curiosity bumps" are common for new anchors and often fade quickly. For context, when Katie Couric debuted as "CBS Evening News" anchor in September 2006, she opened to massive viewership of around 14 million, only to see numbers drop sharply within days.

Dokoupil's tenure will likely face continued scrutiny as CBS News navigates changes under Weiss's leadership, with long-term success depending on whether the early interest translates into sustained audience loyalty. The broadcast remains third in the evening news race, trailing well behind ABC and NBC.