CBS News is keeping its “CBS Mornings” co-anchor Tony Dokoupil as Variety reports that the two parties have reached a contract extension that would keep him alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson.
With Dokoupil now inked to a new deal, the morning news show wars are on as CBS attempted to close the gap with their rivals NBC, who has the “Today Show,” and ABC with “Good Morning America.”
Usually, “Today” conquers the critical demographic. Meanwhile, “CBS Mornings,” with a new format launched last September, has seen its share boost among female viewers in that age range. Furthermore, the top executive at CBS News considers a unique opportunity in the A.M.
“The re-imagined ‘CBS Mornings’ — which distinguishes itself everyday through its hard-hitting reporting, longer-form storytelling, and exclusive interviews – is hitting its stride,” says Neeraj Khemlani, co-president of CBS’ news-and-stations unit.
“The program is closer to its competitors now more than at any point in the history of the franchise — more than 10 years ago, more than 5 years ago. Gayle, Tony, Nate, and Vlad have incredible chemistry, and under the strong leadership of Shawna Thomas, the entire anchor, reporting, and producing teams have the wind at their backs…and the audience is clearly responding.”
Dokoupil spent several years writing for Newsweek, The Daily Beast, and NBC News’ digital side before coming aboard at CBS News as a correspondent and contributor to “Sunday Morning.”
In his time as “CBS This Morning,” co-host Dokoupil has often been dispatched to big breaking-news scenes, and he emphasizes “talking to regular people where the story is happening and happening to them.”