In an intriguing development in the world of broadcast journalism, CBS News is reportedly setting its sights on Anderson Cooper as it searches for a new anchor for the CBS Evening News. This potential move comes amid efforts to revitalize the flagship news program.

According to sources cited by Status, the newly appointed network Editor-in-Chief, Bari Weiss, has expressed a keen interest in recruiting the CNN star. Cooper, who also contributes to CBS’s 60 Minutes, is seen as a strong contender for the coveted position.

Weiss, who assumed her role at CBS earlier this month, is eager to reshape the Evening News and perhaps sees Cooper as the ideal figurehead for this transformation. This strategic interest coincides with the looming expiration of Cooper’s lucrative $18 million-a-year contract with CNN.

Notably, Cooper was recently acknowledged as the nation’s most beloved news anchor, according to a DailyMail+ Power List published in August, which could further bolster his appeal to CBS.

This potential shift in the anchor chair also follows the recent announcement by current co-host John Dickerson of his resignation. Dickerson’s tenure has been marked by struggles in ratings, prompting CBS to look for fresh leadership.

The 16-year CBS veteran had been quietly negotiating his exit for weeks prior to the announcement, sources told Status.

Recent changes at the network after its parent company Paramount’s merger with David Ellison’s Skydance in July led to the decision, Status reported.

Sources said that the anti-woke Weiss – a vehement critic of legacy media – has since made it her mission to overhaul Evening News.

CBS News is closing in on Anderson Cooper as it continues to search for the next host of CBS Evening News

CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has a ‘strong interest’ in Cooper, whose CNN contract is up this year

The program has been met with declining ratings since Dickerson and co-anchor Maurice DuBois were tapped to replace Norah O’Donnell at the start of the year.  

Other figures reportedly being considered to replace Dickerson include Fox News’ Bret Baier, CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil, and O’Donnell.

Baier – whose contract with Fox News runs through 2028 – responded to reports of the interest in him Monday during an interview with Meghan McCain, saying he was ‘flattered by all the press and everything like that, but I’m in a multi-year contract with Fox.’

He added, ‘we’ll see what happens at the end of that.’

Internally, Dokoupil is another top candidate, Status reported.

He has helmed CBS Mornings alongside Gayle King since 2019. King’s contract is also up at the end of the year.

O’Donnell, meanwhile, stepped away from the Evening News desk late last year after six years as host.

Sources told Status that she is also being considered.

CBS Evening News co-host John Dickerson announced his resignation from the network Monday after 16 years at the network

CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil is also being considered for the Evening News hosting spot. He has helmed the morning show for nearly seven years

Evening New has been met with declining ratings since Dickerson and co-anchor Maurice DuBois were tapped to replace Norah O’Donnell at the start of the year.

Dickerson’s exit marks the first major talent change at the network since Weiss was installed as editor-in-chief

The multiyear deal he signed when he and DuBois were picked to host Evening News will be paid out in full, Status reported.

The network has announced no new plans for DuBois.

CBS News standards chief Claudia Milne resigned earlier this month, telling her coworkers: ‘We live in complicated times. For our company, for our industry and for our country.

In the spring, 60 Minutes Executive Producer Bill Owens and CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon both resigned over concerns with the company’s direction.

Each was responsible for the Evening News revamp in January, which saw one anchor replaced with two despite decades of tradition.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Paramount and CBS News for comment.