Norah O'Donnell is set to return as a host of "CBS Mornings" next week, taking her place at the table alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson. This marks O'Donnell's return to the program after a seven-year absence, having previously left in 2019 to anchor "CBS Evening News."
The move was described as a "homecoming" by the show's executive producer, Jon Tower, in a memo obtained by the Daily Mail. Tower highlighted the "chemistry" O'Donnell and King shared during their seven years co-hosting together, calling it "one of the most memorable partnerships in the history of morning news."
O'Donnell's return comes at a challenging time for "CBS Mornings," which recently experienced its lowest-rated week in its history. Total viewership for the program has declined approximately nine percent compared to the same period last year. Both "CBS Mornings" and "CBS Evening News" are currently in third place in their respective ratings, trailing behind ABC and NBC.
O'Donnell was a key figure during a period of growth for the show, co-anchoring with King and later John Dickerson. Dickerson had replaced Charlie Rose in 2018 after Rose was fired amid sexual harassment allegations. O'Donnell was then promoted to "CBS Evening News" in 2019, where she remained until January of last year. She had stated at the time that she planned to step back and pursue a role as a senior correspondent.
Following O'Donnell's departure from "CBS Evening News," the program underwent further changes, including the appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. Tony Dokoupil was moved from "CBS Mornings" to "CBS Evening News," but the broadcast has struggled to regain viewers. The protracted search for a permanent third host for "CBS Mornings" saw other anchors, such as Major Garrett and Vladimir Duthiers, filling the role temporarily.
Gayle King signed a contract extension in April to remain with "CBS Mornings" for at least another year. A network source indicated that King played a significant role in the discussions regarding the show's hosting lineup. "Norah adds her unique experience to an already dynamic team, as we ramp up our political coverage this fall leading into the Midterms," a network source told the Daily Mail.