Dan Rather's Final Years at CBS
Dan Rather left CBS after a long run as anchor of the CBS Evening News and host of 60 Minutes. He joined CBS in 1962 and became anchor of the Evening News in 1981. Rather's last broadcast as anchor aired in March 2005, and he departed the network later that year. His exit followed a period of declining ratings and internal scrutiny over reporting standards. At the time, CBS was one of the three major U.S. broadcast networks, competing closely with ABC and NBC in the evening news time slot. For background on network news economics, see this overview from Forbes.
Rather's departure was framed by CBS as a mutual decision, though many observers linked it to falling viewership and controversy. The network replaced him with Bob Schieffer as interim anchor. CBS Evening News had dropped in the ratings rankings during Rather's tenure, while rival broadcasts led the field. Rather later described his exit as a "forced retirement" in interviews and public statements. He continued to appear on CBS for some time after stepping down from the anchor chair.
Key Reasons Dan Rather Left CBS
The primary factors behind Dan Rather's exit included falling ratings, a controversial report, and a strained relationship with CBS management. In 2004, a 60 Minutes Wednesday segment about President George W. Bush's National Guard service drew sharp criticism. The report relied on documents whose authenticity was questioned, and CBS later retracted parts of the story. An internal investigation led to the resignation of several CBS News executives. The episode weakened Rather's standing at the network and accelerated talks about his departure.
Contract negotiations also played a role. Rather's deal with CBS was set to expire in 2005, and the network chose not to renew it on the same terms. Rather sought a multi-year extension and a larger role, while CBS moved to restructure its news division. The decision not to extend his contract marked the end of his daily anchor role. Rather continued to work in television and media through his own production company and various appearances.
Dan Rather's Career After CBS
After leaving CBS, Dan Rather launched Dan Rather Reports, a documentary series on HDNet, now known as AXS TV. He also continued to cover major news events and political stories through interviews and specials. Rather has remained active in media, appearing on other networks and platforms to comment on journalism and current events. His post-CBS work emphasized long-form reporting and in-depth interviews, drawing on decades of experience in broadcast news.
Rather's departure from CBS is often cited as a turning point in the history of American broadcast journalism. The era of network evening news anchors with long tenures gave way to more fragmented media and 24-hour cable news. Rather's career remains a reference point for discussions about journalistic standards, network news economics, and the role of anchors in shaping public discourse. For more on the broader media landscape, see this report from the Pew Research Center.