Norah O’Donnell could be headed back to familiar territory at CBS News, with the former “Evening News” anchor emerging as a contender for the open third seat on “CBS Mornings,” according to a report.
The 52-year-old journalist — whose stature inside the network has grown since Bari Weiss took over as editor in chief — is in the running for the morning gig after a series of recent fill-in appearances, Status reported.
The newsletter also cited sources claiming O’Donnell has sought to “ingratiate herself” with Weiss.
The Post first reported in February that O’Donnell’s return to “CBS Mornings” had sparked chatter inside the network about a possible comeback to the anchor desk after a seven-year hiatus.
At the time, sources told The Post that network higher-ups, including Weiss, had asked O’Donnell to guest host alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson as brass weighed an overhaul of the last-place morning program.
A source close to CBS threw cold water on the speculation at the time, insisting O’Donnell was not being considered for the permanent gig and was simply part of a rotating cast of fill-ins.
But other insiders weren’t buying it.
Now, O’Donnell is among a handful of candidates under serious consideration to permanently fill the third co-host chair left vacant when Tony Dokoupil decamped for the “CBS Evening News” in January, Status reported.
Status reported that Weiss is said to “very much like” O’Donnell, while describing the veteran journalist as a reliable anchor with broad experience.
O’Donnell isn’t the only name being kicked around. Status identified Eva Pilgrim, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and CBS News anchor Kelly O’Grady as other candidates for the opening.
No decision has been made, according to the report. Status also reported that Weiss is fond of O’Donnell, potentially giving the veteran CBS journalist an advantage as brass weighs its options.
CBS News brass has not made a decision, the report said. A rep for the news division did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
O’Donnell previously co-hosted the morning broadcast — then known as “CBS This Morning” — alongside King and Charlie Rose before leaving the show in 2019 to take over the “CBS Evening News.”
She spent six years behind the “Evening News” anchor desk before leaving the nightly broadcast in early 2025.
Since Weiss took the reins at CBS News, O’Donnell’s profile at the network has risen considerably.
She was recently named a full-fledged “60 Minutes” correspondent by the show’s new executive producer Nick Bilton after previously serving as a contributor to the storied newsmagazine.
O’Donnell also launched “Healthful,” a weekly women’s health podcast featuring conversations with doctors and researchers about topics including menopause and reproductive health.
Her potential return to mornings comes as “CBS Mornings” struggles with a historic ratings slide and remains without a permanent replacement for Dokoupil.
The program, anchored by King and Burleson, recently averaged just under 1.6 million total viewers for a week — the first time it had fallen below that threshold — while drawing only 220,000 viewers in the advertiser-coveted adults 25-54 demographic, according to Status.
The show has also posted its lowest-rated first quarter and worst May and was on pace for its weakest June on record, according to previously reported Nielsen data.
The ratings slide also comes after “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which averaged roughly 2.5 million viewers, went off the air, sending CBS’s late-night audience tumbling.
Many Colbert viewers would turn off their TVs with CBS still on and return in the morning to the same channel, providing a natural audience boost for “CBS Mornings.”
The third chair has remained vacant as CBS News brass weighs how to revitalize the franchise, with a rotating cast of fill-ins appearing alongside King and Burleson.
