History of CBS News in Timeline
CBS News is the news division of CBS, an American television and radio broadcaster headquartered in New York City. Its television programs include CBS Evening News, CBS Mornings, CBS News Sunday Morning, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours, and Face the Nation. CBS News Radio produces hourly newscasts and podcasts. Additionally, CBS News operates CBS News 24/7, a 24-hour digital news network.
1929: Regular Radio News Broadcasts Began
In 1929, the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) began making regular radio news broadcasts, which were five-minute summaries taken from reports from United Press.
December 1930: Paul W. White Hired as CBS News Editor
In December 1930, CBS chief William S. Paley hired journalist Paul W. White away from United Press to become CBS's news editor.
1932: CBS Breaks Lindbergh Kidnapping Story
In 1932, CBS disregarded the news embargo imposed upon radio by wire services, breaking the story of the Lindbergh kidnapping using live, on-the-air reporting, and scooped print outlets with news of the 1932 presidential election.
1937: Murrow Runs CBS Radio's European Operation
In 1937, Edward R. Murrow was sent to London to run CBS Radio's European operation.
1940: Chester Recruited
In 1940, William S. Paley recruited Edmund A. Chester from his position as Bureau Chief for Latin America at the Associated Press.
December 7, 1941: Special Report on Pearl Harbor Bombing
On December 7, 1941, WCBW broadcast an extensive special report at 8:45 p.m. covering the bombing of Pearl Harbor, marking a significant moment for live television and breaking the barrier between CBS radio and television.
May 1942: WCBW Cuts Back Live Program Schedule
In May 1942, WCBW sharply cut back its live program schedule and canceled newscasts, suspending studio operations due to staff shortages and the inability to repair cameras during wartime.
1942: Network of the Americas Established
In 1942, Edmund Chester coordinated the development of the international shortwave radio Network of the Americas, called Cadena de las Américas.
May 1944: WCBW Reopens Studios and Newscasts Return
In May 1944, as World War II turned in favor of the Allies, WCBW reopened its studios and the newscasts returned, anchored by Ned Calmer and then Everett Holles.
1946: WCBS-TV Call Letters
In 1946, WCBW call letters were changed to WCBS-TV.
February 1948: NBC Television Newsreel Premieres
In February 1948, NBC Television Newsreel premiered, featuring film footage with voice narration.
May 3, 1948: CBS Television News Premieres
On May 3, 1948, Douglas Edwards began anchoring CBS Television News, a regular 15-minute nightly newscast on the CBS television network, including WCBS-TV.
1949: United Nations In Action Series
In 1949, Edmund Chester collaborated with Larry LeSueur to produce the innovative news series United Nations In Action, which provided live coverage of the proceedings of the United Nations General Assembly and won a George Foster Peabody Award.
1950: Name Changed to Douglas Edwards with the News
In 1950, the name of the nightly newscast was changed to Douglas Edwards with the News.
1956: The World Tonight
The evening Roundup, previously known as The World Tonight, has aired in its current form since 1956.
2004: Killian Documents Controversy
In 2004, Dan Rather presented improperly verified documents, leading to the Killian documents controversy.
2014: CBS News Productions Ended
From the 1990s until 2014, CBS News operated its own production unit CBS News Productions, to produce alternative programming for cable networks, and CBS EyeToo Productions, later renamed CBS Eye Productions, a company that produced documentaries and nonfiction programs.
2018: Sky News ownership transferred to Comcast
In 2018, ownership of Sky News was then transferred to Comcast.
April 15, 2021: CBS Divisions Merge
On April 15, 2021, CBS Television Stations and CBS News announced a merger into a single entity named CBS News and Stations, with Neeraj Khemlani and Wendy McMahon appointed as co-heads.
May 3, 2021: Merger Completed
On May 3, 2021, the transition to merge CBS Television Stations and CBS News into CBS News and Stations was completed.
2022: Content-Sharing Partnership with The Weather Channel
In 2022, CBS News entered into a content-sharing partnership with The Weather Channel, allowing The Weather Channel meteorologists to appear on CBS News programs.
2022: Mulvaney Hired
In 2022, CBS News hired former Trump administration official Mick Mulvaney as a paid on-air contributor, stirring controversy due to his history of promoting false claims and attacking the press.
February 6, 2025: Settlement Consideration
As of February 6, 2025, CBS's parent company, Paramount Global, is reportedly considering settling the lawsuit ahead of a planned merger with Skydance Media.
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