Couric to leave ‘CBS Evening News’
Network plans to announce her replacement soon
LOS ANGELES – After five tumultuous years behind the legendary news desk, Katie Couric said she would be leaving her high-profile job as anchor of the “CBS Evening News” in June when her contract ends.
The news, which Couric announced Tuesday, came as no surprise to the television industry, which is already speculating about whether Couric will launch a daytime talk show – and which network might carry it. For weeks, it has been clear that neither Couric nor CBS was interested in having her continue in the role that Walter Cronkite elevated to one of the most prestigious jobs in journalism.
“There’s a lot to be proud of during her time at CBS Evening News,” the network said in a statement. “CBS News, like Katie herself, is looking forward to the next chapter.”
Within the next week, CBS News is expected to announce Couric’s replacement. “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley is widely believed to be the leading candidate.
During her time at CBS, Couric proved she wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions – her tense exchange with Sarah Palin will be remembered as a career highlight – but her interpersonal skills were also instrumental in securing friendly one-on-ones with newsmakers including Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. Her coverage of the 2008 election earned her the Walter Cronkite Award for Special Achievement, and she also won two Edward R. Murrow awards over the last five years.
Still, her tenure also demonstrated that a celebrity anchor didn’t make a substantial difference in that evening news time slot. Despite her $15 million a year salary, Couric failed to pull CBS out of third place.
CBS is expected to announce Couric’s replacement before the network unveils its new fall schedule for advertisers in New York on May 18. But Couric wanted to be the first to announce that she was leaving, according to a CBS executive who requested anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, and Tuesday she shared the news with People magazine.