Norah O'Donnell's five-year tenure as the anchor of CBS Evening News has been marked by significant journalistic achievements. Her time on the program included a historic interview with Pope Francis and investigations into military sexual assault, which led to congressional action. O'Donnell's reporting was characterized by grace and compassion, earning her the trust of viewers. Oprah Winfrey, narrating O'Donnell's sendoff, highlighted her ability to put world events into context while maintaining a personal touch. Despite being in third place in viewership, O'Donnell's work was never questioned for fairness or accuracy, establishing her as a respected figure in broadcast journalism.

CBS is set to launch a revamped edition of its Evening News, moving away from a single-anchor format to a team of co-anchors. This change aims to blend the national broadcast with elements of local news, reflecting a shift in viewer preferences towards streaming and digital sources. The new format will be led by John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, with Margaret Brennan providing political insights. The program will also feature correspondents covering stories from different regions, emphasizing a more decentralized approach to news delivery. This overhaul is part of CBS's strategy to adapt to changing media consumption habits and reduce operational costs.

Following her departure from the anchor desk, Norah O'Donnell will continue to be a part of CBS News as a senior correspondent. In her new role, she will focus on feature reporting and conducting interviews across various CBS News platforms. This transition reflects a broader trend in broadcast journalism, where networks are adapting to financial pressures and changing viewer habits by shifting emphasis from star anchors to a more diverse news team. O'Donnell's new position will allow her to leverage her journalistic skills in a different capacity, contributing to the network's broader news coverage.