Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

ABC Announced that the new anchors for World News Tonight will be Bob Woodruff and Elizabeth Vargas...

It could be announced by the end of the week that Katie Couric will replace Dan Rather on CBS Evening News -- but that's still pretty speculative.

Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

Isn't Katie Couric still under contract with NBC? This is the first time I'm hearing this rumor about her becoming the new anchor for CBS.

Re: Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

Yes, but her contract runs out this Spring or Summer, I believe (I want to say May, but not really sure)

CBS has been heavily courting her and NBC is trying to keep her.

I think she will just wait to see who has the biggest dump truck full of thousand dollar bills to drop in her bank account.

Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

Quick update from the broadcasting "trades..."

It appears that Charlie Gibson was probably offered the job, but he and ABC couldn't come to contract terms.

Allegedly, he wanted a deal to take him through the 2008 Elections, but ABC wanted an initial contract of only two years, after which the Woodruff/Vargas team would take over -- so they, "agreed to disagree."

Of course, keeping Gibson on GMA also keeps heavy pressure on NBC and TODAY.

Regarding Katie Couric, the speculation is growing. If CBS could sign her, it might help their seriously flagging ratings, but also hurt the TODAY Show's number one ratings at the same time.

A potential "win, win" in CBS's eyes.

No, keep Katie Couric far away from the news! She's as bad as Barbara Walters.

I'm glad they're keeping Charlie on GMA. He's good there, and the show has actually beaten Today a few times in recent months. I thought he did a fabulous job filling in for Peter, but if he did the news, his personality wouldn't shine through as much.

I'm not a fan of Couric. I've never liked Today, so I doubt I'd watch her on any network.

Re: Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

I thought Gibson was campaigning pretty hard for the job - I also figured they would just keep him on GMA anyway, especially with Katie leaving the Today show.

Couric's contract is up in May; in every interview I've seen with her and Matt in the past month or so, she's been noncommittal about staying, and Matt has used "the show will go on theme." I would be surprised if she doesn't end up at CBS.

I'm not a Katie Couric fan, but it would be a pretty bold move for the people at CBS.

Re: Re: Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

I think you're right. I think I read that he told a columnist or someone that he and ABC "agreed to disagree," and he's really OK with the decision.

These dynamics would appear to be toughest on NBC and TODAY. They lose a "star," CBS picks her up, hopefully along with a lot of people who like her, and ABC keeps the team that has been in a "close" race with TODAY for the past few months together.

I don't think it's a particularly happy time on the third floor of "30 Rock," (30 Rockefeller Plaza) the home of NBC News.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

Brian Williams was on with Matt Lauer today on "Today," and Williams was talking about how it's good that the other networks are stepping it up at the anchor position. He kept mentioning how the competition was a good thing for the business.

I may be reading too much into all of this, but there seem to be a lot of little signs that change is on the way. I also read somewhere that NBC has talked to Campbell Brown about taking Katie's place when/if she leaves.

It's all very interesting - has there been this much publicity before when an anchor/personality changes networks?

ETA: Also, I wonder what this would mean for the Matt and Campbell's contracts. Matt would get top billing, and I'm assuming Campbell would want a bump in salary as well for her step up the ladder.

OMG I thought they were talking about Katie being on the CBS morning show, not the news. I absolutely can't see her being an anchor.

I say keep Bob Schieffer on till he drops and then worry about it.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

Oh yeah. Always. Rather replacing Cronkite. Brokaw.

The ABC anchor chair was like a revolving door for years until Jennings.

At the moment, both CBS and NBC News Divisions have brand new presidents which adds to the turmoil.

Comments on Katie.

I really have trouble seeing her as a major newscast anchor. "Cute" doesn't cut it. However I also remember her reporter days before TODAY, and she was excellent. I vividly recall a shot of the front row of what we called "The Five O'Clock Follies" in Saigon with her in the front row, seven or eight months pregnant with her feet propped up on the little stage that the Generals gave their press briefings from.

As a journalist, she isn't a lightweight -- even though for the past several years she has been cast into the position of interviewing lightweights.

In my opinion, if this happens, CBS is taking a chance on her bringing a lot of fans with her. It may or may not work.

I can't stand watching Katie. The only thing she has going for her is the cuteness - and I don't even think she's that cute. She may have been a "serious" reporter at one time, but I have a hard time seeing her as that anymore. I'm not big on Matt Lauer either though - something about him irks me.

I liked Peter Jennings (even cried a little when he died) even though I didn't necessarily agree with his politics. I think Charlie Gibson would have been great as Jennings' replacement and I think ABC would have been wise to give him the contract he wanted. The ratings probably would have been higher than they will be with Woodruff and Vargas. Oh well, that still leaves my favorite morning team of Gibson and Sawyer in place.

As far as CBS goes I don't watch any of their national news coverages and only watch the local occassionally (read during sweeps) since one of dad's best friends is director of technical operations. Figure might as well help out a little.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

I beg to differ.

Hugh Downs interviewed a lot of "lightweights" in his time, but I would never have doubted his ability to anchor the news or do serious journalism. I can't say the same for Katie.

And I don't understand why people are saying "she will bring fans with her." The shows are at 2 different time periods. There are a lot of people who never watch morning tv who watch the evening news & vice versa.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Woodruff and Vargas to replace Jennings...
 

Not that I'm going out on a limb with this, but I think the major reason they are luring Katie is because of the fall out from the Dan Rather situation. Getting Katie Couric would make the biggest splash possible, and they'll get viewers just for curiosity's sake.

It is a bold (and expensive) move. I'm wondering what her other responsibilities will be on CBS. That could go a long way in determining how many viewers are drawn away from the other networks.

33 -- Do you remember her as a reporter? Also, Hugh Downs was never a field reporter as far as I know -- he was always a studio guy. There's a pretty big difference.

KSig -- I mostly agree.

AOII -- I know a few people in Atlanta. What station does your dad's friend work for?

K-Sig -- I've also heard the rumors of Campbell Brown replacing Katie if it comes to that. She made a huge name for herself during the New Orleans hurricanes. I think she's pretty impressive. And she will make a lot more money if it happens.