CBS presenter Norah O'Donnell said goodbye to her viewers for the last time when she laid her role in the midst of a wave of major changes in the network.
The experienced broadcasting organization signed up on Thursday and called her position 'the honor of her life'.
O'Donnell, 51, has been holding the position since 2019, but joined the network for the first time in 2012.
She leaves the Primetime slot to take on a greater role after CBS mother company Paramount Global has deleted 2,000 jobs.
Oprah Winfrey was one of those who led a tribute to the presenter and surprised her with a video montage that looked back on her 1,300 broadcasts.
“You have so much to be proud of,” said Winfrey. “Your work as a presenter and editor -in -chief of the 'CBS Evening News' has not only won prizes, but what is more important has made such a difference and informed our nation.”
The tribute contained fragments from O'Donnell's interview with Paus Franciscus, former President George Bush, vice-president Kamala Harris, Dolly Parton and other high-profile guests.
CBS presenter Norah O'Donnell said goodbye to her viewers for the last time on Thursday when she laid her role
“It was the honor of my life to anchor this historical broadcast,” said O'Donnell.
'The' CBS Evening News' is – and not without reason – the longest -running evening news in America. And it is made possible by the best journalists in the world. “
'The correspondents, producers, researchers and crews who work tirelessly to bring you the news every night. That will not change because journalism matters. I know that because I heard that of so many of you – our viewers.
“So out of the ground of my heart: thanks for the trust in us and welcoming hard news to your home with heart and soul.”
O'Donnell announced in July that she would take a step back, months before Paramount Global announced the commotion aimed at saving $ 500 million in costs in the run -up to a planned merger with Skydance Media, the New York Post reports.
The changes are because the network is struggling with falling viewers numbers that are left at Rivals ABC World News Tonight and NBC Nightly News.
CBS 'Evening News attracted an average of 4.6 million viewers in the most recent quarter and had difficulty with the crucial target group of 25-54 year olds, with only 670,000 viewers.
O'Donnell will still work on long broadcasts for the specials of CBS, 'Sunday Morning' and '60 Minutes'.
The broadcasting organization announced its departure for months before CBS mother company Paramount Global 2,0000 jobs
She was surprised on her last day with a video discilation by Oprah Winfrey describing some highlights of the past five years
It contained highlights from her career, including this historical papal interview with Pope Franciscus last year
O'Donnell came to CBS in 2012 and has been an anchor since 2019. She will stay in an extensive role in the network
O'Donnell is being replaced by CBS reporter John Dickerson (left) and CBS New York presenter Maurice Dubois (right)
“I will miss you too,” O'Donnell told the viewers. 'So for the last time, that is the' CBS Evening News' tonight. I owe all this to everyone I work with. Serious. Love you. Good night.'
She will be replaced by CBS reporter John Dickerson and CBS New York presenter Maurice Dubois, who will co-host the lock.
“I want to thank the viewers,” said Dubois in his show on Thursday. “This is my birthplace.
“And without the viewers there is no us, so thanks for everything over the years, we will continue at a different time.”
It comes after the network was startled by controversy about statements by morning new presenter Tony Dokoupil during an interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates about Israel.
He was reprimanded during a meeting of CBS drivers after he collided in the broadcast with Coates after the author was called Israel an 'apartheid state'.
However, he did not experience any further consequences and remains co-anchor of the morning show.
