Scott Pelley is out as "CBS Evening News" anchor, and he'll be returning to full-time work at the network's flagship newsmagazine "60 Minutes."
The story was first reported by the New York Post's Page Six, and independently confirmed by CNN Money. The report says that Pelley will remain as a correspondent for 60 Minutes.
CBS says Anthony Mason will fill in as host until a permanent replacement is named.
The CBS show is a distant third to ABC and NBC in the evening news rankings and, despite some critical success, has not been able to close the gap.
Pelley did not anchor the broadcast Tuesday, as it was announced he was on assignment for "60 Minutes."
Since 2011, Pelley has been both a correspondent for 60 Minutes and the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News With Scott Pelley. This will mark Pelley’s 14th season with 60 Minutes; he joined the program as a correspondent in 2004.
“Scott brought the best values of 60 Minutes to the CBS Evening News, and we thank him for his commitment to the journalism of this broadcast every night these past six years,” said David Rhodes, President of CBS News. “The milestone 50th season of 60 MINUTES requires Scott’s full contribution, and we look forward to important reporting from him for many years to come.”
“Scott's work over many years at 60 Minutes has been extraordinary. So has his dedication to consequential reporting,” said Jeff Fager, Executive Producer of 60 Minutes. “It is exciting for all of us, and good for our viewers, that he will be focusing all of his efforts on 60 Minutes.”
Pelley thanked his colleagues for six successful years with the broadcast: “I find my heart filled with gratitude for the opportunity to know you, humility, in light of your sacrifices, and hope for the future of journalism because of the standards you live by,” Pelley said. “CBS has been great to me for nearly 30 years. I’m glad to accept this assignment with continuing gratitude.”
“Scott’s tenure as Anchor and Managing Editor of the CBS Evening News has been one of the finest chapters in the history of this storied broadcast,” said Steve Capus, Executive Editor of CBS News and Executive Producer of the CBS Evening News. “Ever the consummate professional, Scott’s commitment to outstanding journalism, enterprise reporting and memorable storytelling has propelled the CBS Evening News to new heights and made the broadcast a showcase for excellence.”
Pelley began working at the "CBS Evening News" almost exactly six years ago, succeeding Katie Couric. It was a meat-and-potatoes newscast aligned with the traditions of CBS News, and lately has been produced by a former NBC News president, Steve Capus.
Evening news shows don't have the influence they once had when the likes of Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw had the jobs. But collectively, they still reach more than 20 million viewers each night for half-hour summaries of the day's news.
They haven't necessarily been suited to the rush of news in the Trump era. Evening news ratings have been down while news junkies turn to prime-time cable newscasts.
(The Associated Press, CBS News contributed to this report.)
