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Norah O'Donnell Returning to CBS Mornings as Co-Host

CBS says the hire is the opening move in a ratings-driven shift toward more live, hard-news discussion ahead of the midterm elections.

Overview

  • CBS confirmed that Norah O'Donnell will rejoin Gayle King and Nate Burleson as a permanent co-host, starting Tuesday, Sept. 8.
  • Network leaders say the move is aimed at stabilizing a slipping morning lineup and adding more political and in-the-moment interviews to the show's format.
  • Season-to-date Nielsen figures show CBS Mornings averaged about 1.7 million viewers, down roughly 9% year over year and about 20% fewer viewers in the advertiser-coveted 25–54 demo.
  • O'Donnell will continue as a 60 Minutes correspondent and host a women's health podcast, a cross-platform role CBS hopes will boost the show's credibility and reach.
  • Producers framed the change as a 'homecoming' that reunites proven on-air chemistry, though some reports questioned internal reactions to the hire and the network has pushed back on those accounts.