Katie Couric May Leave Anchor's Desk Next Year

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal suggested CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric may leave the network "well before her contract expires in 2011" and as soon as early next year.

Why would CBS ditch their $15-million/year star? Reasons range from overall belt-tightening and disappointed about the program's poor ratings and Couric's apparent inability to bring in those female viewers. CBS issued a statement--"We are very proud of the 'CBS Evening News,' particularly our political coverage, and we have no plans for any changes regarding Katie or the broadcast"-- as did Couric (she's "working hard and having fun") but neither are outright denials there are discussions.

Couric premiered as anchor on September 5, 2006, and there have been signs of discord between Couric and CBS for a while--here's a detailed July 2007 New York feature about Couric, who is remarkably candid. And as recently as last week, per the Washington Post's Howard Kurtz, Couric acknowledged frustration that it's "really hard to show" her signature, freewheeling personality.

CBS is reportedly offering Couric a "syndicated talk show or a full-time role on 60 Minutes," unless she chooses a more lucrative offer. Some speculate she could replace Larry King on CNN.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 10, 2008 8:45 AM

Comments [rss]

sonyactivision

They put "our Katie" in a pretty, gilded cage and she couldn't sing worth a shit. So free her and let her return to the wilds of daytime talk shows and Morning fluff jobs. We want Rather back. Because he's intensely weird and appropriately creepy.

babyhitler

gothamist is the reason why couric is out of a job really. You go guys.

jazlow

I just can't stand looking at her anymore with all the awful plastic surgery she has had done. At least she has cut back a bit on the spray-on-tan.

Politburo

"Bob Fleischer must feel good."

You mean Bob Schieffer, I'd imagine.

Even though he's Canadian, I always preferred Peter Jennings.

zodak

"sits on her desk flashing her gams."

looks like i'm going to start recording the cbs evening news.

lucyvanpelt

This is news?

(This is also why I watch the BBC . . .)

Steven

With the 24 cable news channels and the Internet there is really no need for the evening news at 6:30.

smokedgouda

Bob Fleischer must feel good.

Atomische

I would totally watch her if she co-anchored with Morbo

“All humans are vermin in the eyes of Morbo!”

theevilone

The End of an Error.

Fritzdecat

Could I introduce you please to a lump of cheddar cheese.

Knit one pearl one Drop one Curl one...

I'd rather have a bucket of Vindaloo

David McCaffredy

I'm a big fan of Judy Woodruff's work with CNN & Jim Lehrer. I think she would have been great in the anchor chair.

iloveleeks

A block of cheese could replace Larry King.

babyhitler

she should do a gossip show about reality shows. That's what women like.

blablanyc

She's no Barbara Walters.

blablanyc

Over rated and over paid.

cucarachita

Um, I stopped watching whatever news Katie's on when I saw here sitting on her desk flashing her legs. She was a joke and an embarrassment.

I was all for Gwen Ifel having her seat. Ifel is beautiful, personable, has a great voice, and a serious presence. Couric looks like Chuckie as a transvestite, and chirps like a sparrow, and sits on her desk flashing her gams.

Of course, Ifel probably wouldn't have deigned to take that seat, seeing what low standards they were setting by choosing Couric.