Tony Dokoupil's Debut At CBS News Sparks 'Real Concern' As Ratings Plummet Amid Replacement Rumors

Tony Dokoupil's tenure as CBS Evening News anchor may be short-lived.

Since his debut, the show's ratings have continued to struggle, and reports have emerged claiming that network executives are considering replacing the veteran news anchor.

Tony Dokoupil began the role earlier this month and shared his excitement about the position in an interview ahead of his debut.

Barely two weeks into Tony Dokoupil's new role as anchor of CBS Evening News, network executives are reportedly considering replacing him in the coming days.

The idea has gained traction after his presence failed to attract the level of audience interest they had hoped for when he assumed the role.

According to a source who spoke with Rob Shuter's #ShuterScoop, the segment is "barely pulling half of ABC and NBC in the key 25–54 demo."

The claim seemed further confirmed by new Nielsen data, which showed that the program averaged just 4.17 million viewers in Dokoupil's first full week.

The data also noted that the viewership was down 23 percent from the same week last year, another poor trend that further highlights the show's struggles.

Now, questions about who Dokoupil's replacement could be have already begun to circulate within relevant media circles and will only escalate if the disappointing numbers continue.

"People are already talking about who could replace him if this slump continues," a different source shared.

They continued about the alleged chatter, "There's real concern that the audience isn't buying what he's selling."

Dokoupil's appointment represents the fifth change in anchor at CBS Evening News since 2017. As part of his debut, a bold promo aired in which he was seen taking aim at legacy media for missing major stories.

"A lot has changed since the first person sat in this chair," he said, per the Los Angeles Times. "But for me, the biggest difference is people do not trust us like they used to. And it's not just us. It's all of legacy media."

"The point is, on too many stories the press has missed the story," he added. "Because we've taken into account the perspective of advocates and not the average American."

While the promo was intended to draw viewers in and build excitement for what was to come, it appeared to have had the opposite effect, according to another source.

"Instead of rallying viewers, it alienated the core audience," an insider told #ShutterScoop.

While it remains to be seen whether any changes will be made, Dokoupil will likely continue giving his best as long as he remains in the position.

Ahead of beginning the role, he told People Magazine that he was excited to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather, who previously occupied the anchor desk.

"It's exciting because of the legacy. It's exciting because of the history. I mean, the reason CBS connects with the culture of America and has done so for so long is because it's really good at what it does," Dokoupil told the publication.

At the time, he also told the outlet that his main goal as the new anchor was to restore trust with his audience.

"The First Amendment guaranteed freedom of the press. It did not guarantee trust. It did not guarantee credibility. That's something you have to earn," the news anchor said. "Rebuilding that trust, earning it from the people who've given up on it, earning it back, that's the biggest, most important mission I have."

Having previously served as a morning news anchor before moving into his new role, Dokoupil's schedule is freed up for more family time with his wife, Katy Tur, and their two children, Theodore and Eloise.

Earlier this month, he hinted that this was the reason his kids were excited about his new job.

"The kids are really excited about this, too," Dokoupil told People. "I get to be the maestro of the mornings."

He added at the time, "I'm like a short-order cook. I got the cereal. I slide it across the counter. I got the eggs — a little za'atar on Katy's eggs. I give Eloise a coffee with some oat milk. She brings it up to mom. That gets mom out of bed. She has a call at 7:30. She can now have that call without the kids pulling on her and all the rest."