Exclusive | CBS scrambles to signal Tony Dokoupil as anchor of ‘Evening News’ after Maurice DuBois goes ‘rogue’ and divulges his exit : sources

CBS News scrambled Thursday to signal Tony Dokoupil to helm “CBS Evening News” — after insiders claimed Maurice DuBois went “rogue” and shocked his bosses by revealing he was leaving the network, The Post has realized.

While insiders cautioned the talks might fall by means of, “CBS Mornings” co-host Dokoupil has been a frontrunner for the job and a favourite of each Bari Weiss, the network’s editor in chief, and Tom Cibrowski, its president, as The Post beforehand reported.

Sources said negotiations went into high gear after DuBois was told by higher-ups last week that he was not “the future” of “CBS Evening News” — prompting the anchor to go off-script by posting his own goodbye on his Instagram page Thursday.

“CBS Mornings” co-anchor Tony Dokoupil is in talks to anchor “CBS Evening News,” sources told The Post. CBS through Getty Images

A source close to CBS claimed that the network had already been conscious of DuBois’ plan to publish his news on Instagram — however other insiders close to the network said in any other case.

“He went rogue,” a CBS Insider said, including that DuBois had not been onboard with the company’s plan to announce his departure the same time it revealed his alternative.

“Maurice’s announcement sped up the timeline” to switch DuBois, a transfer initially deliberate for the New Year, the particular person said. That left the network hustling to renegotiate Dokoupil’s contract along with his agent, UTA’s Jay Sures.

Maurice DuBois (left) and John Dickerson (proper) will go away CBS this month, ending their short tenure as co-anchors of “CBS Evening News.” CBS through Getty Images

Sures, DuBois and CBS News declined to remark.

CBS News was anticipated to announce that Dokoupil will grow to be the sole anchor of the show in the coming days, sources said.

When requested Thursday who will exchange DuBois, a CBS rep merely shared a “thank you” memo Cibrowski wrote about the outgoing journo, with no point out of what would occur to the prestigious show.

CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss has expressed curiosity in a handful of anchors for the “Evening News” job, including selling Dokoupil to the function. Getty Images for The Free Press

DuBois broke the news of his exit Thursday morning, saying his last day at the network the place he labored for 21 years can be Dec. 18.

DuBois — who’s best recognized for anchoring WCBS-TV in New York — nabbed the spot at “CBS Evening News” with co-anchor John Dickerson last January.

Dickerson revealed in late October that he was leaving the network at the end of the year, sparking rumors that Dubois would probably observe swimsuit. A source close to Dickerson said his last day will probably be Dec. 19.

Sources said CBS News is scrambling to ink Dokoupil’s new contract to anchor the “Evening News” in time for the new 12 months. CBS

DuBois’ announcement shocked CBS insiders and media watchers, who thought it odd that the network had no news on who would host the venerable nightly news show.

Weiss mulled candidates such as Fox News’ Brett Baier and Dana Perino, however each have been under contract. She also expressed curiosity in CNN’s Anderson Cooper and ABC News correspondent Matt Gutman for the “CBS Evening News” anchor chair, according to stories.

Dokoupil’s exit would spur adjustments at “CBS Mornings,” which has been rumored for upheaval. CBS through Getty Images

The downside Weiss faces, of course, is a restricted funds and the outdoors expertise’s present contract obligations.

That leaves Dokoupil, who makes a more modest wage than his co-hosts Gayle King and Nate Burleson, sources said.

Assuming the deal will get inked, it calls into query who will exchange the morning show co-anchor.

King’s identify has been aired as someone who might get pushed out of the network due to her hefty $13 million salary. But one insider speculated that if the network might get her wage down, it may be price retaining the star anchor and getting rid of Burleson, who’s said to make a multimillion-dollar wage.

“It’s a game of chess,” said a second CBS source. “It all depends on where the chips fall.”

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