In the case of the mining company, it was because the president (who was, of course, French) got enamoured of huge drag lines (massive things resembling steamshovels only big enough to load a dumptruck) and ordered FIVE of them. This was in the 70's when Carter had pushed for more coal. There weren't enough mines who could use those large machines, and so three sat idle, although the company had to pay for all five. Rather than admit the mistake, all sorts of re-organization went on. Stock prices dropped, as profits dried up.
By the time Mr. Frenchy had left on a golden parachute, the company was in the business of slowly shutting down, and eventually their assets were sold to other companies.
Couric is like the drag lines; someone got fascinated with the idea of using her, they overbid on her salary in order to make sure they would get her, and now, lilke the drag lines, they are stuck paying for something they can't really use.
I envision massive firings, followed by layoffs and the dreaded "reorganization." I would be quite happy to see CBS sold off, piecemeal, but I suppose that's too much to hope for.