It's Official: Katie Couric going to CBS

[WTGH]

NEW YORK - On her 15th anniversary on "Today," Katie Couric told viewers Wednesday she's leaving to join CBS and become the first woman to solely anchor a network evening newscast.

"I wanted to tell all of you out there ... that after listening to my heart and my gut ... I've decided I'll be leaving 'Today' at the end of May," she said. "I really feel as if we've become friends through the years."

The 49-year-old Couric, the longest-serving anchor in "Today" show history, is expected to replace Bob Schieffer on the third-rated CBS broadcast in September.

Following a months-long guessing game that has consumed the TV industry, Couric chose the 15th anniversary of her first day as "Today" co-host in 1991 to say that it's time for a change.

"It's been such an honor and a privilege to occupy this seat for as long as I have," she said. "Sometimes I think change is a good thing," Couric said. "Although it may be terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it's also very exciting to start a new chapter in your life."

The bold move simultaneously forces NBC to find a new team for "Today," television's most profitable news program, and gives CBS News President Sean McManus a major success in his effort to lure more stars to his beleaguered news organization.

Meredith Vieira of the daytime chat show "The View" has emerged as the leading candidate to team with Matt Lauer at "Today." Vieira, a former CBS News reporter who won a Daytime Emmy as host of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," had previously turned down offers to return to news since joining "The View."

Couric, Lauer, newsreader Ann Curry and weathercaster Al Roker have formed TV news' most successful morning team in history since 1997, with "Today" riding an unprecedented 10-year ratings winning streak.

During that time, morning news programs have simultaneously grown in influence and have become important entertainment vehicles. The job required Couric to both interview presidents and don goofy costumes on Halloween.

Couric's NBC contract extends to the end of May and she's expected to remain at "Today" through that ratings sweeps month.

The lure of trying something new and making history in the evening proved enticing to Couric, who is also expected to contribute to "60 Minutes." She spurned a more lucrative offer — about $20 million a year — to remain at NBC and accept CBS' bid at a salary near her current range of $13 million to $15 million, according to a non-network person close to negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity.

With Schieffer filling in during the year since Dan Rather's exit, the "CBS Evening News" is the only network evening newscast rising in the ratings. But it's still in third place behind NBC and ABC.

"I will be delighted if she came," Schieffer said Tuesday. "I think she'll be a great addition to a very good news team. ... I've known Katie for years and I think the world of her."

If a deal with Vieira can't be reached, the top in-house candidates to replace Couric are "Today" weekend anchor Campbell Brown, NBC reporter Natalie Morales and Curry.

"If it comes to an end, I'll be the first to cry," Curry told "Access Hollywood" about Couric before her colleague's announcement. "If she leaves, she'll be very hard to replace."

[KLN]

*sniff*

I'm sad about this. I rarely watch The Today Show, but when I do watch it... it's always comforting to see Katie. Even though I don't watch often, it's nice to know that she's there, you know? Especially during the holidays, I love to see her standing outside all bundled up. I just love her! LoL

[alwaysAMC]

I only would watch the Today show bc of Katie...now that Meridith is taking over...I'll prob. switch back to GMA on ABC.

Good for Katie though I guess....

[Q Steph]

Meredith should not be her replacement. Anne deserves the recognition.

[Michael]

This is going to be so strange. I grew up with the Today show on in the mornings, and Katie's been on there for most of the time I've been old enough to know what was going on. I still turn on Today in the mornings now that I live by myself, and having her not be there... is going to be so, so weird.

I hope they don't replace her with Campbell Brown. She doesn't have the same spark. Poor Ann Curry, too -- she does most of the heavy lifting with the "real news," and she's such an afterthought at times!

[kelli_blue]

If Meredith leaves The View, it would leave Joy to fend for herselves against the *she-wolves*.

As for Anne, you're right, she's great on the show and does deserve the shot at head anchor.

[Ryan]

Meridith should stay on ABC, Anne should replace Katie. Congrats to Katie

[Ms. Walsh]

good for her. The Today Show has turned into another one of those entertainment shows. At least she'll be doing real news now.

They should replace her with Ann. Meredith's okay though. She was always my favourite on the View, and if she leaves it will be really bad for the show. The only other one I like is Joy and Barbara (when she's on). The other two are annoying as hell.

[Cheap21]

I used to watch the Today Show and only bc of Katie. This doestn affect me as I switched over to GMA a long time ago

[Bree]

I liked Katie but I won't be devastated. They really need to give her spot to Ann. She has chemistry with Al and Matt and I love her!

[bellcurve]

I'd wake up at 7 to watch Meredith on TODAY. Every day. She's so awesome.

But I don't know how this thing will affect her being on WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE. I hear she has two more years left on that deal. There's no way she can do both MILLIONAIRE and TODAY, because no one can take her seriously as a journalist if that's the case.

Ann Curry is so stiff and boring. They will hire out-of-house for this spot. There's no way in hell Ann Curry will fill the position.

Their best option is Meredith. She's got name recognition, she has a female fanbase, and she's friendly.

If Soleidad O'Brien was available, I'd pick her too.

And PLEASE, no Campbell Brown. The name just makes me sick.

Oh, as far as Katie joining the CBS NEWS?! Give me Bob Sheiffer anyday over that fake !@#$%^&*]. I just can't imagine Katie covering serious news like the war in Iraq, or another election. I just can't imagine her doing it. She simply doesn't have what it takes. Period. I just can't stand her. Keep her on TODAY, so she can gab it up in shitty cooking segments.

Mike Wallace leaving 60 MINUTES is only the beginning of the bloodbath. Pretty soon, 60 MINUTES will be complete with it's own theme song, glamour shots, and a set featuring the skyline of NYC.

Katie coming to CBS is the death of the Evening News. Period. If I had to choose a female anchor, I'd rather have controversial, catty Connie Chung fill the anchor chair again by herself. She was fun. I'd rather have anyone except Katie Couric in the anchor's chair.

[Chanel]

I watched when Katie announced live that she was leaving.

I was sad. I have been watching the Today Show for the last 5 years. And I just lover her. I love how she talks about her kids, family, she just seems like a real down to earth person. I am going to miss. Her and Matt have great Chemisty. I am going to miss the fab 4 togehter.

"Katie, Matt, Al and Ann, just on NBC. Amercian's first family, just on your TV." LOL something like that. "

[Dan]

"Their best option is Meredith. She's got name recognition, she has a female fanbase, and she's friendly."

Besides, it will get that poor woman away from Starr Jones...

[Drew]

This is going to fail.

Katie Couric's charm is in her bubbly on-air personality. When you're a news anchor, you can't have that. Take that away, and she's just a boring woman reading the news - like all the other evening male anchors.

[Toups]

There's a woman who's pretty hot on "Today." I think her name is Natalie....I hope she gets more airtime because I'll definitely tune in to see more of her.

ITA.