Norah O’Donnell’s Return to CBS Mornings Amid Viewer Criticism

CBS News anchor Norah O’Donnell is encouraging critics of Bari Weiss, her boss, to watch “CBS Mornings” after the announcement of her return to the morning program. O’Donnell, who previously co-hosted what was known as “CBS This Morning” from 2012 to 2019, will return alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson. She will take over the role left by Tony Dokoupil, now part of “CBS Evening News.” Her official return is set for after Labor Day.

“This is a homecoming for Norah,” stated Jon Tower, producer of the show, in a memo obtained by Fox News Digital. Tower praised the past partnership between O’Donnell and Gayle King, noting their strong chemistry that extends beyond the studio. He expressed enthusiasm about the reuniting of the team.

However, the appointment of Bari Weiss as CBS News’ editor-in-chief has stirred discontent among some of the network’s audience. Justin Baragona, a columnist, highlighted the issue of liberal viewers losing interest after Weiss’s leadership began. O’Donnell addressed the criticism directly on Instagram. When an Instagram user expressed disappointment with Weiss’s leadership, O’Donnell encouraged them to tune in to the show, calling the criticism “silly” and encouraging viewers to “just watch.”

O’Donnell’s return also includes a new position as a correspondent for “60 Minutes,” following significant changes at the program. Alongside her, Ross Douthat joins as a new correspondent amidst a series of exits from the long-running show.

Both Bari Weiss and her colleague David Ellison aim to attract a broader audience, focusing on those in the political center. The potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery for $111 billion by Ellison’s Paramount signals plans to oversee both CBS News and CNN. The merger faces delays due to an antitrust lawsuit, with a trial scheduled for March 2027.

CBS News declined to comment on the viewer criticism about Weiss. The evolving landscape of media leadership presents challenges and opportunities as the merger progresses.