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.

1927: Roots of CBS News Radio

In 1927, CBS News produces newscasts and features for radio stations through CBS News Radio, which is the oldest unit of CBS and tracings its roots to the company's founding.

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.

March 1933: White Named VP and General Manager

In March 1933, Paul White was named vice president and general manager in charge of news at CBS, becoming the first head of CBS News.

1935: Edward R. Murrow Hired

In 1935, CBS News hired Edward R. Murrow.

1937: Murrow Runs CBS Radio's European Operation

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 produced the oldest daily news show on radio or television, the CBS World News Roundup.

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.

1948: Chester Becomes Director of News Special Events and Sports

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

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.

1962: Broadcast Renamed CBS Evening News

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

Loading Video...

1963: CBS Sunday Night News

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

1966: Fred Friendly Resigns

In 1966, CBS News president Fred Friendly resigned to protest against the network's coverage of the Vietnam War.

April 1, 1988: Edwards Retires

On April 1, 1988, Douglas Edwards retired from CBS News after contributing to various newscasts and radio broadcasts.

Loading Video...

1996: CBS Telenoticias Operated

From 1996 to 1998, CBS News operated a Spanish language channel CBS Telenoticias.

1997: CBS Eye on People Operated

From 1997 to 2000, CBS News operated a cable channel, CBS Eye on People.

1998: CBS Telenoticias Closed

CBS News operated a Spanish language channel CBS Telenoticias from 1996 to 1998.

1999: Network News Service Joint Venture

In late 1999, CBS (Newspath), ABC (NewsOne) and Fox (NewsEdge) agreed to form a joint-venture footage sharing pool, known as Network News Service.

2000: CBS Eye on People Closed

CBS News operated a cable channel, CBS Eye on People, from 1997 to 2000.

2004: Killian Documents Controversy

In 2004, Dan Rather presented improperly verified documents, leading to the Killian documents controversy.

2006: Glenn death

In 2006, Christopher Glenn death.

November 4, 2014: CBSN Launched

On November 4, 2014, CBS News launched a 24-hour streaming news channel as CBSN, making CBS News resources available directly on digital platforms with live, anchored coverage.

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.

2017: Content-Sharing Agreement with BBC News

In 2017, CBS News entered into a content-sharing agreement with BBC News, replacing previous arrangements between the BBC and ABC News, and CBS and Sky News.

2018: 80th Anniversary of CBS World News Roundup

In 2018, CBS News Radio celebrated the 80th anniversary of its daily news show, the CBS World News Roundup.

2018: Sky News ownership transferred to Comcast

In 2018, ownership of Sky News was then transferred to Comcast.

January 6, 2019: Zirinsky Announced as Choice to Replace Rhodes

On January 6, 2019, Susan Zirinsky was announced as the choice to replace David Rhodes as president of CBS News, amidst news of his departure due to falling ratings and sexual misconduct allegations.

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

On March 1, 2019, Susan Zirinsky became the president and senior executive producer of CBS News, marking the beginning of her tenure in that role.

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.

2021: See It Now Studios Set Up

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

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.

August 14, 2023: McMahon Named Sole President and CEO

On August 14, 2023, Wendy McMahon was named the sole president and CEO of CBS News after Neeraj Khemlani stepped down.

July 2024: Ciprian-Matthews Stepped Down

In July 2024, Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews stepped down as president of CBS News.

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.

2025: CBS Evening News Returns to NYC

In 2025, Norah O'Donnell departed from the CBS News bureau in Washington, D.C., leading CBS Evening News to be broadcast once again from Studio 47 in New York City.

Loading Video...