Couric to CBS Evening News

Couric to CBS Evening News

Couric to cover serious news at night.

Ms. Couric announced formally what has been predicted
for several months, that she will jump to CBS, where she will become the first
woman ever to lead an evening newscast on her own. CBS was expected to announce
a long-term deal with Ms. Couric, one that will also include her participation
in that network's venerable newsmagazine program “60 Minutes,” later
today.

(snip)

No mention was made of her successor, but NBC has nearly
concluded an agreement with Meredith Vieira of ABC to replace Ms. Couric.

Under the terms of the deal, which was expected to
be resolved by week's end, Ms. Vieira would sign a four-year contract worth
at least $10 million a year and would take up her morning assignment on NBC
just after Labor Day, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity
because the conversations were continuing.

Couric
Announces Departure From 'Today' Show

The chick is leaving her schtick behind. It's time to get serious.
Prove her mettle and mind is as strong as any man's.

This news, however expected, is big. A female anchor all alone on nightly
news is something many of us have waited for with hope and anticipation. Frankly,
I don't think it matters that she comes from the “Today Show.” Her
authenticity reads. She can read news. She's quick and she has put her time
in.

But will anyone watch? Are you kidding? Women will give her a try, for sure.

Over my lifetime, women have slowly moved into opinion and serious
news reporting. I've watched happily as some move forward, while others take
the celebrity route after being slammed on news, like what happened to Barbara
Walters.

Interesting that all this happens while Campbell Brown is on her
honeymoon with Dan Senor. One wonders if she knew about the pending Vieira contract,
because Brown has been rumored as Couric's replacement. I'd think Brown would
rather stay as a substitute for Brian Williams, doing hard news at night. However, morning would likely be much bigger money.

It's a good day for women who talk seriously about the issues
of our time. It's a breakthrough because a woman who does light fair on “Today”
is being elevated to the big boy's chair, not being considered too light
weight just because she comes from a morning show. After all, we're talking about Katie Couric. The individual female involved is what made the match. That's as it should be, because
just because you know about communication doesn't mean you can't transmit calamity
when it comes in as news.

Ladies, it's a good day for our side and Couric's presence will
likely help us all, as people get exposed more and more to a woman talking about
life and death, war and peace on nightly news. It's all good.