CBS tries to lure Couric from NBC's 'Today'-report (Couric - the Next Dan Blather?)

ABC News ^ | Dec 2, 2005 | ABC News

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - CBS is trying to change the face of network news by luring Katie Couric, co-host of NBC's top-rated morning show "Today," to the evening news anchor seat vacated by Dan Rather, the Los Angeles Times said on Friday.

Citing senior editorial staffers at both networks, the Times said newly installed CBS News President Sean McManus had determinedly wooed Couric in recent weeks to take over as permanent anchor of the CBS Evening News and that Couric was seriously considering such a move.

CBS and NBC both declined comment on the story. Media reports began circulating in January that CBS executives had made overtures to Couric to lure her away from NBC to the CBS Evening News desk.

Taking Rather's spot would make Couric the first woman named as the sole permanent anchor of a major network evening newscast, unless ABC's Elizabeth Vargas beats her to the punch. Vargas, a "20/20," host, has filled in on a regular basis for the late Peter Jennings at ABC's World News Tonight and is regarded as a candidate to permanently replace him.

Connie Chung co-anchored the CBS Evening News with Rather for about 18 months in the 1990s, and Barbara Walters co-hosted ABC's newscast with Harry Reasoner for two years in the 1970s.

Veteran correspondent Bob Schieffer has served as temporary CBS News anchor since Rather stepped down in March, six months after coming under fire for a botched "60 Minutes II" report on President George W. Bush's military record.

Last month, McManus named "60 Minutes" veteran Rome Hartman as executive producer of the CBS Evening News, which has long trailed NBC Nightly News and ABC World News Tonight in the ratings.

CBS EAGER TO LURE YOUNGER VIEWERS

[freedumb2003]

What the old saying about bringing a knife to a gunfight?

"Never bring a moped to a car fight."

[cricket]

Mattthew's has his call in to his buddy; as you speak. . .

[Enchante]

CBS Execs: "hmmmmm.... we've suffered a tremendous loss of credibility with Dan Blather and Mary Mapes proving the complete lack of standards and ethics at CBS News. How can we recoup our credibility? Hey, here's a BRILLIANT idea, let's hire "little commie Katie" as the new anchor to prove to all just how serious, objective, rigorous, and knowledgeable we all are."

YUP, that's a real winner for CBS!!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

This will be the kiss of death for CBS (Fake but accurate) News.

[Nextrush]

Katie Couric is an image projected to the audience. Back when she was a nobody in the DC bureau they had to use here to announce the San Francisco earthquake in 1989 when Brokaw couldn't be found. She looked lousy, but just like the Clintons a PR image can be created. She was pumped up into a star but now lets hope the star fades away.

[Paladin2]

Isn't she too vertically challenged to be able to look like an adult behind the anchor desk?

[Republican Wildcat]

I don't watch either show...wouldn't make a difference in my life.

[Last Exit]

"Couric last renewed her contract with NBC in December 2001, signing a 4 1/2-year deal that sources said was worth about $60 million, one of the most lucrative in U.S. television."
60 million for what???

[yldstrk]

Ewwwwww...

[dk/coro]

A prediction from a real dinasour:

Even in the liberal envionmrnt of CBS, Couric's tenure would give a new definition to "A New York Minute" !!!

It would be a real surprise to me if even the (aging) alphabet news recipients could stomach this broad over a protracted period of time.

[Arrowhead1952]

That move is like jumping out of an airplane with an anvil instead of a parachute. Hello.... Wilie E Coyote move

[taillightchaser]

Isn't she the one that had a colon test on TV? I wonder if they found her head in there??

[pierrem15]

The biggest, most photographed a--hole in America media.

She's a natural for CBS.

[conservativecorner]

And she will be just as irrelevant BUMP!

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[Republican Red]

I tend to believe this is already a done deal and Couric is probably going to CBS.

I have been watching the NBC Olympic coverage and what is most striking about it is her absence from prime-time. NBC brought in Brian Williams to co-host with Bob Costas during the opening ceremonies and Couric has been relegated to Today show appearances. Seems to me they are punishing her.