Hoda Kotb is out, while George Stephanopoulos remains at ABC for now. Meanwhile, Norah O’Donnell is set to depart from her role as anchor of the “CBS Evening News” after a six-year tenure.

The dynamic nature of the television news industry is prompting high-profile anchors like Kotb and O’Donnell to either be let go or offered new contracts with drastic pay reductions. Many prominent journalists are opting to decline these offers or reduce their responsibilities within the networks.

Last year, CNN witnessed the exit of Alyson Camerota, Poppy Harlow, and Chris Wallace. Similarly, Univision’s Jorge Ramos left the network shortly after the 2024 elections. In contrast, Stephanopoulos seems to be sticking with ABC, at least temporarily, following a $15 million settlement related to remarks he made about former President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, CNN made significant changes to its programming schedule, moving hosts like Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer to earlier slots, while cutting around 200 positions—approximately 6% of its workforce—as reported by the network. Jim Acosta has also been removed from the lineup, leaving him without a program.

In the past year, numerous high-profile anchors have exited the field. At least six prominent hosts across U.S. news organizations—from Fox News to CNN—have stepped down from their powerful positions at the anchor desk.

With audiences moving away from traditional news outlets towards engaging TikTok videos and political podcasts, media experts are discussing the changes in anchor roles with YSL News regarding the evolving landscape of television news.

‘The era of untouchable anchors is over’

In recent years, the “big three” networks—CBS, NBC, and ABC—have considered replacing renowned news anchors, such as Kotb and O’Donnell, with lesser-known broadcasters. Craig Melvin, popular among “Today” viewers but not widely recognized, stepped in as Kotb’s replacement.

After Katie Couric left the CBS nightly anchor position in 2011, Scott Pelley took over. O’Donnell succeeded Jeff Glor, who was recently let go as well.

Experts suggest that the goal behind this shift is for news organizations to reduce high salaries by hiring younger anchors who may attract a younger audience.

Anthony Adornato, the chair of broadcast and digital journalism at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, states that “news consumption habits” significantly affect the television news industry.

“There’s a reduced focus on high-profile anchors earning substantial salaries,” Adornato notes, pointing out that younger viewers are engaging with non-traditional content.

Ratings for CNN and MSNBC have dropped in recent years, particularly following the November 5 elections. Media professionals like Mark Feldstein argue that news networks are merely adapting to ongoing financial challenges. Feldstein, a former investigative correspondent for ABC News and CNN, now leads the broadcast journalism department at the University of Maryland.

“These networks prioritize profitability and will act in ways that enhance their financial performance,” Feldstein asserts, explaining that budget constraints resemble the fading of the studio system in Hollywood. Audiences and profits for networks are declining.

Adornato adds that networks are closely monitoring “the hefty salaries of prominent anchors,” particularly if they fail to draw substantial viewership on traditional platforms.

O’Donnell’s successors are lesser-known figures

As Norah O’Donnell steps away from the “Evening News,” Adornato remarks that her successors, announced by CBS in July, are “two individuals who are somewhat recognized but not widely familiar.” Beginning Monday, John Dickerson, a “60 Minutes” veteran, and Maurice DuBois, a long-time anchor at WCBS in New York, will take her place.

In a surprising move, CNN has promoted correspondent Kaitlan Collins, previously covering Trump’s presidency, to chief White House correspondent and host of “The Source,” taking over Chris Cuomo’s former 9 p.m. slot.

Adornato observes, “We are witnessing a significant influx of younger talent, which isn’t inherently negative compared to past decades.”

Feldstein concurs, arguing that promoting younger talent represents an effort by networks to engage younger audiences in television journalism, as one of the major challenges facing networks is the aging demographics of their viewership.

Former anchors like Hoda Kotb can develop personal brands outside television

Experts claim that broadcasters like Kotb, who has spent 26 years at NBC, are no longer dependent on major networks, as they have already built strong personal brands. Kotb, known for her popular podcast “Making Space,” intends to collaborate with NBC on special projects and pursue interests in health and wellness. O’Donnell is also expected to continue contributing to CBS News.

Couric established her own media company after her time at CBS, while former “Today” host Tamron Hall shifted from early mornings to a syndicated daytime talk show. Ex-CNN star Brooke Baldwin gained a dedicated following on the independent publishing platform Substack, and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson launched Apple’s top new podcast in 2024.

“They’ve already established their brands and don’t necessarily need a television platform,” Adornato points out, noting that anchors can still “connect with audiences through social media,” even if they take pay cuts. As networks continue to move away from well-known figures, Feldstein claims that personalities like Kotb still resonate with viewers, although name recognition is “gradually declining.”

“It used to be that the (big three) television networks dominated the branding,” Feldstein remarks, but states that “NBC is still larger than Hoda. However, viewers have stronger connections with Hoda and other personalities than with the networks themselves.”

As Kotb seeks new opportunities and O’Donnell wraps up her tenure, the era of legendary figures like Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow appears to have ended, according to Adornato.

“The days of news anchors being revered figures have definitely passed.”