CBS News anchor John Dickerson has been named co-host of CBS THIS MORNING, joining Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell on the network’s critically acclaimed and award winning broadcast, it was announced today by David Rhodes, President of CBS News.
Dickerson begins anchoring Wednesday and will be based in New York.
Dickerson is one of the most respected journalists in the business today, equally adept at driving the news cycle through probing interviews with world leaders as he is having thoughtful conversations with people around the country on issues that matter the most to them.
Dickerson has anchored FACE THE NATION since June 7, 2015, as it generated some of its largest audience levels of the past three decades. He has an extensive digital footprint with multiple podcasts including “Whistlestop”, which chronicles great moments in the nation’s history, and the “Slate Political Gabfest” a leading political podcast. Dickerson is also the author of two books and a contributor for the Atlantic.
“Face the Nation” anchor John Dickerson speaks prior to a presidential debate sponsored by CBS at Drake University on November 14, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa. Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley participated in the party’s second presidential debate. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“John’s impressive track record and strong all-around journalism extends our commitment to real news coverage every morning at CBS News”, Rhodes said in a statement. “Gayle and Norah continue to show tremendous leadership on our morning broadcast each day. Colleagues, newsmakers, and peers all appreciate the depth and context John Dickerson brings to every discussion of the day’s events-together with his co-hosts he will project our best values on every broadcast.”
“Few people possess John’s intellect, curiosity and journalistic chops”, said Ryan Kadro, executive producer of CBS THIS MORNING. “He’s the perfect complement to Gayle and Norah and will help us continue the momentum CBS THIS MORNING has achieved over the last six years.”
“On the campaign trail I’ve collected complements about CBS THIS MORNING’s commitment to the news for years now”, Dickerson said. “Every time I’ve been on the show I haven’t wanted the conversation with Norah and Gayle to end when my segment does. Now it doesn’t have to.”
“Today is our sixth anniversary. Can’t think of better way to celebrate and kick off our next chapter”, King said.
“This is a new beginning with an old friend”, O’Donnell said. “I’ve worked alongside John for almost 20 years and this is a great way to continue our mission of putting the news back in the morning.”
Dickerson replaces Charlie Rose, who was fired from CBS and PBS in November of last year after several women who worked with him on his PBS interview show alleged a pattern of sexual misconduct, including groping and walking naked in front of them.
Dickerson joined CBS News in April 2009 as an analyst and contributor to all of the network’s broadcasts and platforms. He served as the network’s political director for six years and was named moderator of FACE THE NATION in June 2015. During the 2016 presidential campaign he moderated CBS News’ two presidential debates and as host of FACE THE NATION, interviewed each of the major candidates multiple times. Dickerson has been a reporter in Washington since 1995, covering the White House, Congress and economics. Most recently he was Slate Magazine’s chief political correspondent winning the Ford Prize for Distinguished Reporting on the Presidency. A 2010 long-form series on risk profiled current Secretary of Defense James Mattis. Before Slate, Dickerson covered politics for 12 years for Time magazine.
During his last four years, he was the magazine’s White House correspondent, covering the presidency of George W. Bush.
With Dickerson at the helm, FACE THE NATION delivered its second highest audience level in the last three decades during the fourth quarter of 2017, only behind the election fueled fourth quarter of 2016. Currently, FACE THE NATION is the #1 Sunday public affairs program. Dickerson will transition from the FACE THE NATION anchor chair in the coming weeks as CBS News prepares to name his successor.
Since launching on Jan. 9, 2012, CBS THIS MORNING has increased CBS’ audience in the time period by 44% – or 1.01 million viewers – while NBC’s “Today” lost 15% of its total audience and ABC’s “Good Morning America” has plunged 12%. CBS THIS MORNING is in its closest competitive position with “Today” in at least three decades and in nearly two decades. Television year-to-date, CBS THIS MORNING is delivering CBS its second highest morning audience in three decades, surpassed only by 2016’s election influenced performance.
CBS THIS MORNING has earned a prestigious Peabody Award, a Polk Award, three News & Documentary Emmys, three Daytime Emmys and the 2017 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. The broadcast was also honored with an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award as part of CBS News division-wide coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
