ABC taps Gibson as anchor

Wed., May 24, 2006

David Bauder Associated Press

ABC appointed Charles Gibson as the new anchor of its struggling “World News Tonight” broadcast on Tuesday, replacing Elizabeth Vargas.

Vargas, who is pregnant and goes on leave later this summer, will return in the fall to co-anchor the “20/20” newsmagazine, the network said.

ABC’s announcement did not specify a role for Bob Woodruff, Vargas’ co-anchor on the evening news until he was seriously wounded in a roadside bombing in Iraq on Jan. 29. Woodruff is still recovering from serious head injuries and broken bones.

In a news release, Woodruff called Gibson a mentor and friend and said: “I look forward to contributing to his broadcast as soon as I am able.”

Gibson, 63, starts on Monday. He will continue on “Good Morning America” for June and then leave that broadcast to concentrate solely on the evening news.

ABC has no immediate plans to replace Gibson on the morning program, which also has Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts as co-anchors, a spokeswoman said.

Tuesday’s announcement came less than a week after “World News Tonight” fell to last place in the evening news ratings for the first time since 2001, behind NBC and the resurgent CBS.

It sets up a dynamic competition this fall in a tradition-bound television format that has seen its influence and viewership decline over the past few decades.

NBC’s Brian Williams has led in the ratings since taking over for Tom Brokaw, while CBS has hired Katie Couric as the first full-time woman evening news anchor. Gibson brings a level of age and experience that matches the generally older audience for these shows.

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