NEW YORK CITY — The network named Bari Weiss editor in chief in October, installing new editorial leadership as its flagship programs posted viewership declines in the first quarter of this year. Weiss, the 42-year-old co-founder of The Free Press, took the role alongside network president Tom Cibrowski, a television veteran who joined early last year under previous owner Shari Redstone.

Weiss's plan as editor in chief included an aggressive digital strategy, a politically centrist editorial vision, and a focus on restoring the network with hard news and enterprise reporting. Since becoming president, Cibrowski has sought to boost ratings with softer coverage aimed at Middle America. David Ellison, who took control of the network's parent company last fall, had hoped the two executives would complement each other's skills.

The leadership structure placed Weiss and Cibrowski under separate reporting lines. Weiss reports directly to Ellison, while Cibrowski reports to George Cheeks, the chief executive officer of CBS.

Prior to her arrival in October, Weiss asked former NBC News president Noah Oppenheim to join the network. Oppenheim declined the offer.

The network's viewership numbers in the first quarter reflected broad declines across its programming. CBS Evening News averaged 4.2 million viewers, a 7 percent decline from the previous year. Among adults aged 25 to 54, the broadcast averaged 535,000 viewers, an 18 percent decline from the same period a year earlier. In March, the program's ratings dropped below 4 million viewers twice, marking a new low. Tony Dokoupil, formerly co-host of CBS Mornings, became anchor of CBS Evening News in January.

CBS Mornings averaged just under 1.8 million viewers in the quarter ended March 31, a 13 percent decline from the previous year. Among adults aged 25 to 54, the program averaged 270,000 viewers, a 27 percent drop from the prior year — the show's worst quarter on record.