The atmosphere at CBS News is charged with anxiety as staffers grapple with uncertainty about their future. With CBS now under the umbrella of Paramount Skydance, whispers of layoffs and changes to the iconic 'CBS Evening News' are making the rounds.

According to insiders from the news division, the fear of job cuts looms large. This concern has been amplified after Skydance executives recently announced their aggressive plan to slash $2 billion in expenses. As traditional advertising profits dwindle and viewers pivot to streaming platforms, Skydance is tightening its belt, and CBS News may not be spared.

The upcoming quarterly report in November is expected to shed light on the impending cuts. Meanwhile, 'CBS Evening News' is facing its own transformations in a bid to regain lost viewers. Ratings have plummeted since the show adopted a less conventional style, leaving executives contemplating a return to a more familiar format.

Changes are underway as the show's leadership considers enhancing its news delivery. Instead of the current dual-anchor setup, which features John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois side by side, viewers may soon see one anchor in the field during significant breaking news events. Recently, Dickerson reported live from Alaska as geopolitical tensions intensified between the U.S. and Russia.

This strategy aims to create a more dynamic viewing experience while still incorporating the comprehensive reporting that 'Evening News' is known for. The initial vision for the new format was to delve deeper into features and investigations, but critics have pointed out that important, time-sensitive news is often overlooked.

With the departure of executive producer Guy Campanile, who is returning to '60 Minutes,' speculation mounts about who could fill the role behind the scenes. The goal is to infuse a bit of '60 Minutes' flair into the 'Evening News,' creating stories that resonate with current events as well as standalone features.

Recent viewership data does not bode well for CBS. The program has averaged around 3.74 million viewers, significantly trailing behind ABC's ‘World News Tonight’ with 6.89 million and NBC's ‘NBC Nightly News’ at 5.35 million. Executives had hoped to capitalize on NBC's anchor shake-up but instead, CBS has lost hundreds of thousands of viewers since the departure of former anchor Norah O'Donnell.

As changes unfold, there is buzz around potential successors for Campanile, with Kim Harvey, a seasoned producer with a rich background in news, emerging as a strong candidate. Harvey's experience spans outlets like CNN and Fox News, and her hands-on work during pivotal political moments positions her well to guide 'Evening News' into its next chapter.