CBS backtracks on Evening News revamp just weeks after launch with network boss in the hot seat: sources

CBS News is already backtracking on a revamp of its “Evening News” program — and the network’s embattled boss risks becoming a casualty, The Post has learned.Just weeks after a drastic overhaul replaced Norah O’Donnell with a “60 Minutes”-style news magazine helmed by a pair of little-known anchors, the Tiffany Network is reverting to a more news-driven broadcast as ratings tumble, sources said.That’s after embarrassments like last week, when the “Evening News” led with “Why can’t Johnny read?” — a six-minute feature package about student literacy — despite a busy news cycle that included Elon Musk appearing at the White House and Russia’s release of a US prisoner.“They’ve realized they can’t ignore the news,” said an industry insider of the third-place show.“You can’t really ignore the tsunami of news that is coming out of the White House and Washington.”The new format was the brainchild of CBS News CEO and president Wendy McMahon, who wanted to shake up the perennially third-place program anchored by O’Donnell for the past five years.McMahon tapped “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens to bring longer reported pieces to the “Evening News.” She also replaced O’Donnell with lesser-known — and less expensive anchors Maurice DuBois and Jeff Dickerson.The duo has been widely panned by current and former CBS News employees.One source said Dickerson “looked like a deer in the headlights” during the nightly broadcast, while another said former WCBS anchor DuBois is a “complete unknown” to anyone outside of the New York City market.“There are a couple of things you want from an anchorman or woman,” said a former news executive.

“You want to invite them into your house because you like them.Or they have to have credibility.”“What credibility does Maurice DuBois have and what credibility does John Dickerson have other than political reporting?” the source added.

“None.”The overhaul com...