Former NBC News Chief Steve Capus Named Exec Producer of ‘CBS Evening News’

CBS News has tapped former NBC News president Steve Capus as exec producer of “CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley.” He’ll also serve as executive editor of CBS News.

Capus left NBC News amid a shakeup at the division early last year. He was at the Peacock for 20 years, spending the last eight as division prexy. At CBS, Capus will report to CBS News president David Rhodes. He replaces Patricia Shevlin at the helm of the Eye’s flagship newscast. Shevlin had been the show’s exec producer since 2011.

“The ‘Evening News’ is an excellent broadcast, and we believe under Steve’s leadership it will get even better,” said CBS News Chairman and ’60 Minutes’ exec producer Jeff Fager. “He is a real pro with an extraordinary record, and we are fortunate to have him joining us at CBS News.”

Added Rhodes: “Steve will make the ‘Evening News’ more competitive than ever and will make our management team stronger than ever.”

CBS’ venerable newscast, once the home of Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather, typically runs third to the competition on NBC and ABC. But it has made some gains among viewers in recent years, and even topped ABC’s “World News” in total viewers twice in one week during December – the first time since Katie Couric anchored the program in September of 2006 that it had been able to do so.

During his run at NBC, Capus spent four years as exec producer of “NBC Nightly News.” During his tenure at NBCUniversal, Capus also had oversight of MSNBC, NBCNews.com digital and mobile properties, and NBC News radio. He was responsible for broadcast, digital, cable production and distribution, as well as talent, newsgathering and international partnerships. He also helped negotiate an agreement buying out Microsoft’s stake in NBC News’ online news ventures.

As part of his new role, he will serve as a resource to all units of CBS News and as a strategist for the management team.

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