Jeff Glor Signs Off From ‘CBS Evening News’: I ‘Wish Norah O’Donnell the Best of Luck’ (Video)

“As we leave here tonight I just want to say thanks,” Glor says

Jeff Glor officially signed off from the anchor chair of “CBS Evening News” on Friday, finishing his last broadcast of the news show before Norah O’Donnell takes over the position in the summer.

“As we leave here tonight I just want to say thanks. This is a short broadcast, but a long game. Through it all, the people who put on the ‘Evening News’ remain committed,” he said. “This program will be moving to Washington D.C. in the coming months. I wish Norah O’Donnell the best of luck, though she won’t need it. Because of the people backing her up.”

“I’d like to use the time I have left in this night to recognize them. Their hours are long and unpredictable. Their family and friends are unfailingly patient,” he continued. “I’m awed, every day, by their dedication to writing the first draft of history and telling America’s story. I’m awed by their grace. I thank them, and you. I’ll see you soon. Goodnight.”

Before O’Donnell formally takes over the show, which will move to Washington D.C., the program will be anchored by a series of in-house guest hosts, starting with John Dickerson next week.

Glor has anchored the “Evening News” since replacing Scott Pelley in December 2017. Executives had hoped a fresh face would move the broadcast out of third place behind Lester Holt’s “Nightly News” on NBC and David Muir’s “World News Tonight” on ABC. It didn’t work, however, and Glor spent his entire tenure millions of viewers behind his rivals, according to Nielsen data.

Glor’s departure comes as part of a massive shake-up at CBS News as its new president Susan Zirinsky looks to win back viewers across multiple shows. In addition to the evening news, the network’s other marquee news shows, “CBS Sunday Morning” and “Face the Nation,” have also sunken deeper into third place.

In addition to Glor — whose future at CBS News still remains uncertain — the set of “CBS This Morning”will also change dramatically. In addition to O’Donnell, a current co-host, moving into Glor’s job, John Dickerson will head to “60 Minutes” as a correspondent. Gayle King will soon be joined by Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil. It’s still unclear who will replace Mason in his current role hosting “CBS News Sunday Morning.”

On Monday, Glor side-stepped the growing questions surrounding his future, but told his audience not to worry.

“I like to think we are all guided by something bigger than one moment and one broadcast. I have always wanted to do work that matters, and still do,” he said, “That is something that will never change. I have family, friends, and — in the future — far more to share with all of you. It will be great. I promise, just as you are. Thank you all for watching.”

Watch Glor’s sign-off above.

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