People: Couric tabbed as Yahoo news anchor
Katie Couric is joining Yahoo to anchor an expansion of the Internet company’s video news coverage in a move that she hopes will help persuade other broadcast TV veterans to make the transition into online programming.
Monday’s announcement confirms recent published reports that Couric is hoping to attract more viewers on the Internet after spending the past 22 years working as a talk-show host and news anchor at NBC, CBS and ABC.
“I am particularly excited about hopefully attracting other people to this platform and venture,” Couric said in an interview with the Associated Press. “We are in a major, transformative time in terms of media in this country.”
Financial terms of Couric’s contract with Yahoo weren’t disclosed. She also declined to say how many more reporters will be added to her team at Yahoo.
Couric, 56, will continue to host her daytime talk show, “Katie,” on ABC even after she becomes Yahoo’s “global anchor” beginning early next year. She described her now role at Yahoo as a “work in progress.”
Judge reschedules Brown’s court date
R&B singer Chris Brown’s next court appearance in Washington, D.C., is now scheduled for Jan. 8.
A D.C. Superior Court judge granted the new date Monday. Brown’s attorneys successfully argued that he should not be forced to leave anger management rehabilitation in Los Angeles to travel to Washington for Monday’s hearing.
Brown was ordered into rehab last week following a Los Angeles court appearance.
Brown and bodyguard Christopher Hollosy will be required to appear at the next hearing. They were arrested last month on charges of punching a man outside a hotel who tried to jump into a picture with the singer. Brown faces a misdemeanor assault charge.
His lawyers sought the delay because they said they haven’t had an opportunity to review evidence with him.
Stars release Philippines benefit album
Dozens of top stars have donated songs to an album aimed at raising money for disaster relief in the Philippines.
Songs by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Beyonce, U2 and Bruno Mars are among the 39 donated to “Songs for the Philippines,” available for purchase Monday at iTunes and for streaming on iTunes Radio.
The artists, record companies and music publishers have agreed to donate the proceeds to the Philippines Red Cross.
Thousands were killed, injured and displaced by Typhoon Haiyan earlier this month and officials have struggled to keep up with humanitarian aid demands.
The birthday bunch
Impressionist Rich Little is 75. Singer Tina Turner is 74. Pop musician John McVie is 68. Pop singer Natasha Bedingfield is 32. Country singer-musician Mike Gossin is 29. Ben Wysocki is 29. Singer Lil Fizz is 28. Singer Aubrey Collins is 26.