It's Official: Katie Couric Moving To CBS
04-05-06, 07:41 AM
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It's Official: Katie Couric Moving To CBS
Katie Couric leaving NBC for CBS
By DAVID BAUDER
NEW YORK (AP) - On her 15th anniversary on Today, Katie Couric told viewers Wednesday she was leaving NBC to join CBS and become the first woman to solely anchor a U.S. network evening newscast.
"I wanted to tell all of you out there . . . that after listening to my heart and my gut . . . I've decided I'll be leaving Today at the end of May," she said. "I really feel as if we've become friends through the years."
The 49-year-old Couric, the longest-serving anchor in Today show history, is expected to replace Bob Schieffer on the third-rated CBS evening news broadcast in September.
Following a months-long guessing game that has consumed the TV industry, Couric chose the 15th anniversary of her first day as Today co-host in 1991 to say that it's time for a change.
"It's been such an honour and a privilege to occupy this seat for as long as I have," she said.
"Sometimes I think change is a good thing," Couric added. "Although it may be terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it's also very exciting to start a new chapter in your life."
Co-host Matt Lauer told Couric that it was "hard to imagine being here and not having you sitting next to us."
The bold move simultaneously forces NBC to find a new team for Today, television's most profitable news program, and gives CBS News president Sean McManus a major success in his effort to lure more stars to his beleaguered news organization.
Meredith Vieira of the daytime chat show The View has emerged as the leading candidate to team with Lauer. Vieira, a former CBS News reporter who won a Daytime Emmy as host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, had previously turned down offers to return to news since joining The View.
If a deal with Vieira can't be reached, the top in-house candidates to replace Couric are Today weekend anchor Campbell Brown, NBC reporter Natalie Morales and news reader Ann Curry.
Couric, Lauer, Curry and weathercaster Al Roker have formed TV news' most successful morning team in history since 1997, with Today riding an unprecedented 10-year ratings winning streak.
During that time, morning news programs have simultaneously grown in influence and have become important entertainment vehicles. The job required Couric to both interview presidents and don goofy costumes on Halloween.
Couric's NBC contract extends to the end of May and she's expected to remain at Today through that ratings sweeps month.
The lure of trying something new and making history in the evening proved enticing to Couric, who is also expected to contribute to 60 Minutes. She spurned a more lucrative offer - about $20 million US a year - to remain at NBC and accept CBS' bid at a salary near her current range of $13 million to $15 million, according to a non-network person close to negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity.
With Schieffer filling in during the year since Dan Rather's exit, the CBS Evening News is the only network evening newscast rising in the ratings. But it's still in third place behind NBC and ABC.
By DAVID BAUDER
NEW YORK (AP) - On her 15th anniversary on Today, Katie Couric told viewers Wednesday she was leaving NBC to join CBS and become the first woman to solely anchor a U.S. network evening newscast.
"I wanted to tell all of you out there . . . that after listening to my heart and my gut . . . I've decided I'll be leaving Today at the end of May," she said. "I really feel as if we've become friends through the years."
The 49-year-old Couric, the longest-serving anchor in Today show history, is expected to replace Bob Schieffer on the third-rated CBS evening news broadcast in September.
Following a months-long guessing game that has consumed the TV industry, Couric chose the 15th anniversary of her first day as Today co-host in 1991 to say that it's time for a change.
"It's been such an honour and a privilege to occupy this seat for as long as I have," she said.
"Sometimes I think change is a good thing," Couric added. "Although it may be terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it's also very exciting to start a new chapter in your life."
Co-host Matt Lauer told Couric that it was "hard to imagine being here and not having you sitting next to us."
The bold move simultaneously forces NBC to find a new team for Today, television's most profitable news program, and gives CBS News president Sean McManus a major success in his effort to lure more stars to his beleaguered news organization.
Meredith Vieira of the daytime chat show The View has emerged as the leading candidate to team with Lauer. Vieira, a former CBS News reporter who won a Daytime Emmy as host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, had previously turned down offers to return to news since joining The View.
If a deal with Vieira can't be reached, the top in-house candidates to replace Couric are Today weekend anchor Campbell Brown, NBC reporter Natalie Morales and news reader Ann Curry.
Couric, Lauer, Curry and weathercaster Al Roker have formed TV news' most successful morning team in history since 1997, with Today riding an unprecedented 10-year ratings winning streak.
During that time, morning news programs have simultaneously grown in influence and have become important entertainment vehicles. The job required Couric to both interview presidents and don goofy costumes on Halloween.
Couric's NBC contract extends to the end of May and she's expected to remain at Today through that ratings sweeps month.
The lure of trying something new and making history in the evening proved enticing to Couric, who is also expected to contribute to 60 Minutes. She spurned a more lucrative offer - about $20 million US a year - to remain at NBC and accept CBS' bid at a salary near her current range of $13 million to $15 million, according to a non-network person close to negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity.
With Schieffer filling in during the year since Dan Rather's exit, the CBS Evening News is the only network evening newscast rising in the ratings. But it's still in third place behind NBC and ABC.
04-05-06, 07:46 AM
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This country's fascination with "news readers" never ceases to amaze me, and the thought that she (or any news anchor) will be getting $13+ million a year just boggles my mind.
04-05-06, 08:49 AM
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I like Katie on the Today show, but I won't be following her to CBS/60 minutes. She does perky good, but I think she is going to miss the lightened up atmosphere of the Today show to doing news and "serious" stuff. No the moneys good, but I think Katie is gonna fffffade away.
I think Natalie Morales would be a good replacement. She has the sense of humor, the looks, and the personality. That said, Cambell Brown is horrible. She has the stiffest mouth of any reporter I have ever seen and she struggles to complete a sentence. She also has no sense of humor.
I think Natalie Morales would be a good replacement. She has the sense of humor, the looks, and the personality. That said, Cambell Brown is horrible. She has the stiffest mouth of any reporter I have ever seen and she struggles to complete a sentence. She also has no sense of humor.
04-05-06, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by boogieman03
Maybe they could bring over that French news anchor Melissa Theuriau. 
I have to say though that in a time when networks covet younger viewers so much, I'm also surprised they're spending so much to create buzz about a news program whose average viewer age has to be over 45.
04-05-06, 11:03 AM
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I can't wait for the day when robots start reading the news. Then we'll all have discussions about which model the networks should buy, the X1000 or the X1001.
04-05-06, 12:06 PM
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Great news for NBC. Couric hit the wall a few years ago and she isn't nearly as perky either. Now they can bring in a younger woman without worrying about ill will over sending Katie out to pasture.
I'm not sure how Katie will do at the evening news. I wonder if they will restructure the entire show around Couric, making it less somber, or force her into the "serious news" mold. Serious reporting was never her strong point, but if it's just news reading she could do ok. I haven't regularly watched the evening news in many years, so I don't know what that demographic is looking for.
I'm not sure how Katie will do at the evening news. I wonder if they will restructure the entire show around Couric, making it less somber, or force her into the "serious news" mold. Serious reporting was never her strong point, but if it's just news reading she could do ok. I haven't regularly watched the evening news in many years, so I don't know what that demographic is looking for.
04-05-06, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Morf
People still get their news from TV? 
04-05-06, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Morf
People still get their news from TV?
04-05-06, 01:50 PM
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I used to watch NBC in the morning mostly due to Couric, but partly because of my hatred of all of the other anchors on other morning shows. Lately, I just leave on CNN, despite not really being a big fan of Soledad either.
I like Meredith Viera. She is the only one on the View that is interesting, and I would like to see her take over for Katie on NBC.
I like Meredith Viera. She is the only one on the View that is interesting, and I would like to see her take over for Katie on NBC.
04-05-06, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by TheMadMonk
I have no idea who Melissa Theuriau is, but after googling here, I support the idea seeing her every morning.
Mon Dieu!
04-05-06, 03:44 PM
#23
Originally Posted by Achtung
Of course if CBS wants to promote from within, there's always Lara Logan. Just Google her.
As for Katie, I cannot believe that she's "replacing" a newsman like Bob Schieffer.
As for The Today Show, I like both Campbell and Natalie. Neither of them have a whole lot going on upstairs, and by that, I don't mean their upstairs-upstairs (like their intelligence), but more like their other upstairs (the opposite of downstairs), but I still think they're both pretty hot.
And Meredith's too old. Older than Katie, I think. Gotta go with somebody younger.
