History of CBS News in Timeline

CBS News is the news division of the American television and radio broadcaster CBS, with headquarters in New York City. It delivers news and information through television and radio broadcasts.

1927: CBS News Radio Origins

CBS News produces newscasts and features for radio stations through CBS News Radio, which traces its roots to the company's founding in 1927.

1929: CBS Begins Radio News Broadcasts

In 1929, the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) started regular radio news broadcasts, which were five-minute summaries taken from United Press reports.

December 1930: Paul W. White Hired as CBS News Editor

In December 1930, CBS chief William S. Paley hired journalist Paul W. White from United Press to be CBS's news editor, elevating news operations to the same level as entertainment.

1932: CBS Breaks Lindbergh Kidnapping Story

In 1932, CBS disregarded wire service embargoes and broke the story of the Lindbergh kidnapping using live on-the-air reporting, scooping print outlets with news of the 1932 presidential election.

March 1933: White Named VP and General Manager

In March 1933, Paul White was appointed as vice president and general manager in charge of news at CBS, becoming the first head of CBS News and starting to build its news organization.

1935: Edward R. Murrow Hired

In 1935, Paul White hired Edward R. Murrow.

1937: Murrow Sent to London

In 1937, Edward R. Murrow was sent to London to run CBS Radio's European operation.

1938: CBS World News Roundup First Aired

In 1938, CBS News Radio launched the CBS World News Roundup, the oldest daily news show on radio or television.

1940: Chester Recruited to Develop International Network

In 1940, William S. Paley recruited Edmund A. Chester to coordinate the development of the international shortwave radio Network of the Americas.

December 7, 1941: WCBW Broadcasts Special Report on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, WCBW broadcasted an extensive special report, marking a significant advance in live television broadcasting and lasting approximately 90 minutes.

May 1942: WCBW Cuts Back Live Program Schedule

In May 1942, WCBW significantly reduced its live program schedule, canceling newscasts, due to staff shortages from the war effort and the inability to repair early cameras.

1942: La Cadena de las Américas Launched

In 1942, the international shortwave radio Network of the Americas, called La Cadena de las Américas, began broadcasting vital news and cultural programming throughout South and Central America during World War II.

May 1944: WCBW Reopens Studios and Resumes Newscasts

In May 1944, as World War II turned in favor of the Allies, WCBW reopened its studios and resumed broadcasting newscasts, anchored by Ned Calmer and then Everett Holles.

1946: WCBW Renamed WCBS-TV

In 1946, WCBW's call letters were changed to WCBS-TV.

February 1948: NBC Television Newsreel Premieres

In February 1948, NBC's offering, NBC Television Newsreel, premiered and was simply film footage with voice narration.

May 3, 1948: CBS Television News Premieres with Douglas Edwards

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, becoming the first regularly scheduled network television news program featuring an anchor.

1948: Chester Becomes Director of News

In 1948, CBS Radio journalist Edmund Chester was appointed as the television network's new Director of News Special Events and Sports.

1949: United Nations In Action Series Produced

In 1949, Edmund Chester collaborated with Larry LeSueur to produce the United Nations In Action news series, underwritten by Ford Motor Company, providing live coverage of the United Nations General Assembly.

1950: Newscast Renamed Douglas Edwards with the News

In 1950, the nightly newscast's name was changed to Douglas Edwards with the News.

1956: The World Tonight Changes to Current Format

The evening Roundup, previously known as The World Tonight, has aired in its current form since 1956.

1962: CBS Evening News Renamed with Walter Cronkite

In 1962, the broadcast was renamed the CBS Evening News when Walter Cronkite replaced Douglas Edwards.

1963: "CBS Sunday Night News" Program Title

According to the CBS News Library, the program title for the Sunday late night news beginning in 1963 was the "CBS Sunday Night News".

1966: Resignation of CBS News president Fred Friendly

In 1966, CBS News president Fred Friendly resigned to protest against Vietnam War coverage.

April 1, 1988: Douglas Edwards Retires

Douglas Edwards retired from CBS News on April 1, 1988, after contributing to various daytime television and radio newscasts.

1996: CBS Telenoticias Launched

In 1996, CBS News launched the Spanish language channel CBS Telenoticias.

1997: CBS Eye on People Launched

In 1997, CBS News launched the cable channel, CBS Eye on People.

1998: CBS Telenoticias Closed

CBS News ran the Spanish language channel CBS Telenoticias from 1996 until 1998.

1999: News-gathering arms agreed to form a joint-venture footage sharing pool

In late 1999, CBS's Newspath, ABC's NewsOne, and Fox's NewsEdge agreed to form Network News Service, a joint venture for sharing footage.

2000: CBS Eye on People Closed

CBS News ran the cable channel CBS Eye on People from 1997 until 2000.

2004: Killian documents controversy involving Dan Rather

In 2004, the Killian documents controversy occurred, involving Dan Rather presenting improperly verified documents.

2006: Glenn Anchored Morning Roundup Prior to Death

Christopher Glenn anchored the morning Roundup prior to his death in 2006.

November 4, 2014: CBSN launched as a 24-hour streaming news channel

On November 4, 2014, CBS News launched CBSN, a 24-hour streaming news channel, offering live news coverage for 15 hours each week, exclusively online and on smart devices such as smart TV's, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire.

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2014: CBS News Productions operated until 2014

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.

2017: CBS News entered into a content-sharing agreement with BBC News

In 2017, CBS News and BBC News entered into a content-sharing agreement, replacing previous arrangements between the BBC and ABC News, and CBS and Sky News. The partnership facilitates resource, footage, and report sharing.

2018: CBS World News Roundup 80th Anniversary

In 2018, the CBS World News Roundup celebrated its 80th anniversary.

2018: Ownership of Sky News transferred to Comcast

In 2018, the ownership of Sky News, which was partially controlled by 21st Century Fox, was transferred to Comcast.

January 6, 2019: Zirinsky Announced as Replacement for Rhodes

On January 6, 2019, Susan Zirinsky was announced as the choice to succeed David Rhodes as president of CBS News.

March 1, 2019: Susan Zirinsky Assumes Role as President of CBS News

On March 1, 2019, Susan Zirinsky officially took over as the president and senior executive producer of CBS News.

April 15, 2021: CBS News and Stations Divisions Merge

On April 15, 2021, CBS Television Stations and CBS News announced the merger of their divisions into CBS News and Stations, with Neeraj Khemlani and Wendy McMahon as co-heads.

April 2021: CBS Television Stations and CBS News Merge

In April 2021, CBS Television Stations and CBS News merged their divisions into a single entity named CBS News and Stations.

April 2021: Zirinsky leaves position as president and senior executive producer of CBS News

Until April 2021, the president and senior executive producer of CBS News was Susan Zirinsky.

May 3, 2021: Merger of CBS News and Stations Completed

The transition to a merged CBS News and Stations entity, announced in April, was completed on May 3, 2021.

2021: See It Now Studios Set Up

In 2021, CBS News established its own production unit called See It Now Studios, headed by Susan Zirinsky.

2022: CBS News partnered with The Weather Channel

In 2022, CBS News began a content-sharing partnership with The Weather Channel, allowing The Weather Channel meteorologists to appear on CBS News programs.