Norah O’Donnell Bids Emotional Farewell to ‘CBS Evening News’ After Five Years: ‘The Honor of a Lifetime’

Norah O’Donnell delivered a heartfelt final sign-off from CBS Evening News on Thursday night, marking the end of her five-year tenure as anchor of the historic broadcast.

In an emotional farewell, O’Donnell, 51, called her time at the helm “the honor of a lifetime” as she reflected on her journey, which included some of the most defining moments in modern journalism.

“This has been an incredible five and a half years,” O’Donnell told viewers as she closed out her final broadcast.

In a surprise tribute, media icon Oprah Winfrey made a special appearance, celebrating O’Donnell’s contributions to journalism with a powerful montage featuring highlights from her career.

The clip revisited O’Donnell’s landmark interviews with Pope Francis and Vice President Kamala Harris, her fearless on-location reporting from global crisis zones, and her coverage of historic events across nearly 1,300 broadcasts.

“You have so much to be proud of,” Winfrey praised.

“Your work as the anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News has not only won awards but, more importantly, has made a difference and informed our nation.”

A Legacy of Impactful Journalism

O’Donnell took over as anchor of CBS Evening News in 2019, bringing a sharp journalistic eye and a fearless dedication to reporting the truth.

Throughout her tenure, she covered major breaking news stories with unwavering professionalism, from natural disasters and political upheavals to in-depth investigative reports that spurred change.

During her final broadcast, she reinforced the importance of journalism in today’s world.

“This has been the honor of a lifetime to anchor this legacy broadcast,” O’Donnell said.

“CBS Evening News—for good reason—is the longest-running evening newscast in America.

And it is powered by the finest journalists in the world.”

She continued, “The correspondents, producers, researchers, and crews who work tirelessly to bring you the news every night—that won’t change because journalism matters.

I know that because I’ve heard it from so many of you, our viewers.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you for trusting us and welcoming hard news with heart into your homes.”

From Morning to Prime Time: O’Donnell’s Evolution at CBS

O’Donnell’s career with CBS spans over a decade.

She first co-anchored CBS This Morning in 2012 before stepping into her role as lead anchor for CBS Evening News in 2019.

Her departure from the nightly newscast, however, does not mark the end of her journey with CBS.

Instead, she is stepping into an expanded role, focusing on long-form reporting and high-profile interviews for CBS’s primetime specials, Sunday Morning, and 60 Minutes.

Despite her distinguished career, O’Donnell’s tenure was not without challenges.

The network has been undergoing significant restructuring, with CBS parent company Paramount Global cutting 2,000 jobs and slashing $500 million from its budget ahead of a potential merger with Skydance Media.

O’Donnell’s departure from the anchor chair was announced months before these changes, with CBS shifting its focus toward a revamped broadcast.

A New Era for ‘CBS Evening News’

With O’Donnell stepping down, CBS Evening News is preparing for a new chapter.

Veteran CBS reporter John Dickerson and longtime CBS New York anchor Maurice DuBois will take over as co-anchors, officially relaunching the show on January 27 from its newly relocated studio in New York City—marking a shift from its previous home in Washington, D.C.

“I want to say thank you to the viewers,” DuBois said Thursday night.

“This is my hometown. And without the viewers, there is no us, so thank you for everything over the years. We’ll keep going at a different time.”

O’Donnell’s exit also comes amid declining viewership. In the most recent quarter, CBS Evening News averaged 4.

6 million total viewers, with less than 670,000 in the key 25-54 demographic—trailing behind ABC World News Tonight and NBC Nightly News.

A Poignant Goodbye

As O’Donnell signed off for the last time, she was surrounded by the Evening News staff, who gave her a standing ovation as the broadcast came to a close.

“I will miss you too,” she told viewers.

“So for the final time, that’s tonight’s CBS Evening News.  I owe it all to everyone I work with. Seriously. Love you. Good night.”

While her $8 million salary was reportedly cut to $3.8 million in 2022 when she renewed her contract, O’Donnell remains one of the most prominent figures in broadcast journalism.

Her next move, focusing on in-depth reporting and interviews, will ensure that her influence in journalism remains strong.

With her legacy firmly cemented, O’Donnell embarks on a new chapter, leaving behind a trail of excellence, integrity, and groundbreaking journalism at CBS Evening News.