History of CBS News in Timeline
CBS News is a prominent American television and radio news division known for its flagship programs such as the CBS Evening News, CBS Mornings, and Face the Nation. It also produces news magazine shows like 60 Minutes and 48 Hours, hourly radio newscasts, and podcasts. Additionally, CBS News operates a 24/7 digital news network, CBS News 24/7.
1929: CBS Begins Regular Radio News Broadcasts
CBS began regular radio news broadcasts in 1929, initially broadcasting five-minute summaries from United Press reports.
December 1930: CBS Hires Paul W. White as News Editor
In December 1930, CBS hired journalist Paul W. White, previously with United Press, as the network's news editor.
1932: CBS Breaks Lindbergh Kidnapping Story, Disregarding Embargo
CBS disregarded a news embargo imposed by wire services in 1932 when it broke the story of the Lindbergh kidnapping, utilizing live on-air reporting.
1935: Edward R. Murrow Joins CBS
CBS hired Edward R. Murrow in 1935, marking the beginning of his influential career with the network.
1937: Edward R. Murrow Sent to London to Lead CBS Radio's European Operation
Edward R. Murrow was sent to London in 1937 to head CBS Radio's European operations.
1940: Edmund A. Chester Joins CBS
William S. Paley recruited Edmund A. Chester, then Bureau Chief for Latin America at the Associated Press, to join CBS in 1940.
December 7, 1941: WCBW Broadcasts Extensive Coverage of Pearl Harbor Attack
On December 7, 1941, CBS's New York City television station, WCBW, provided extensive live coverage of the Pearl Harbor attack, pushing the boundaries of live television broadcasting at the time.
May 1942: WCBW Reduces Live Programming and Cancels Newscasts
In May 1942, WCBW significantly reduced its live programming schedule, including canceling newscasts, due to staff shortages and technical limitations caused by World War II.
1942: CBS Launches "Network of the Americas"
CBS, in collaboration with the Department of State and other entities, launched the international shortwave radio "Network of the Americas" ("Cadena de las Américas") in 1942, providing news and cultural programming to South and Central America during World War II.
May 1944: WCBW Resumes Studio Operations and Newscasts
WCBW resumed studio operations and brought back newscasts in May 1944, as World War II began to turn in favor of the Allies.
1946: WCBW Changes Call Letters to WCBS-TV
WCBW, CBS's television station in New York City, changed its call letters to WCBS-TV in 1946.
February 1948: NBC Premieres "NBC Television Newsreel"
NBC premiered "NBC Television Newsreel" in February 1948, which consisted of film footage with voice narration.
May 3, 1948: "CBS Television News" Debuts with Douglas Edwards as Anchor
On May 3, 1948, "CBS Television News," a 15-minute nightly newscast anchored by Douglas Edwards, premiered on the CBS television network. This marked the first regularly scheduled, network television news program with an anchor.
1949: "United Nations In Action" Premieres
The innovative news series "United Nations In Action," produced by Edmund Chester and Larry LeSueur, premiered in 1949. The series aimed to provide live coverage of the United Nations General Assembly proceedings.
1956: The World Tonight Takes Current Form
In 1956, "The World Tonight", later renamed "The World News Roundup" evening edition, took on its current form.
2006: Christopher Glenn Passes Away
Christopher Glenn, who anchored both the morning and evening editions of "The World News Roundup", passed away in 2006.
November 4, 2014: CBSN Launches as Streaming News Channel
On November 4, 2014, CBS News launched CBSN, a 24-hour streaming news channel, initially featuring live news from 9 a.m. to midnight on weekdays. This marked a significant shift in the U.S. news landscape, as it was the first 24-hour news channel to forgo cable and be available exclusively online and on smart devices.
2017: CBS News Partners with BBC News
In 2017, CBS News entered a content-sharing agreement with BBC News, replacing their previous respective arrangements with ABC News and Sky News. The partnership focuses on sharing resources, footage, reports, and coordinating news gathering efforts to enhance coverage of global events.
2018: Comcast Acquires Sky News
Comcast acquired Sky News in 2018, taking over ownership from 21st Century Fox.
April 15, 2021: CBS Television Stations and CBS News Merge
CBS announced the merger of CBS Television Stations and CBS News on April 15, 2021, forming a new entity called CBS News and Stations, led by Neeraj Khemlani and Wendy McMahon.
May 3, 2021: CBS News and Stations Transition Complete
The merger of CBS Television Stations and CBS News, announced on April 15, 2021, was finalized on May 3, 2021, creating the combined entity CBS News and Stations.
2022: CBS News Partners with The Weather Channel
2022 saw CBS News and The Weather Channel entering a content-sharing partnership, with plans for meteorologists from The Weather Channel to appear on CBS News programs and CBS News correspondents to contribute to live coverage of weather events on The Weather Channel.
2022: Mick Mulvaney Hired, Controversy Ensues
CBS News faced controversy in 2022 after hiring former Donald Trump administration official Mick Mulvaney as a paid contributor. Mulvaney's history of promoting Trump's false claims and attacking the press drew criticism, with CBS News co-president Neeraj Khemlani defending the decision as a move to ensure representation from "both sides of the aisle".
