The former 'Today' host ends her deal with ABC News a year early to join Yahoo as its global anchor, but says that 'TV news is not over.'
- Nov 26, 2013
AceShowbiz - Katie Couric is officially leaving ABC News to assume a new role on Yahoo. After report of her possible move came out last Friday, the Internet giant announced on Monday, November 25 that the 56-year-old journalist joined the Silicon Valley tech company as its global anchor.
"Katie's depth of experience, her intellectual curiosity, and her charisma make her the perfect choice to anchor Yahoo News and the whole Yahoo Network," Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer said in a statement.
"Her unmatched energy, savvy, and versatility enables her to connect with audiences across the globe. News is a definitive daily habit for our users -- and Katie will work with our talented editorial team to pioneer a new chapter of digital journalism."
Couric herself said, "It's very exciting to be a part of a leading company at the intersection of content and technology. I have great admiration for Marissa Mayer and her team and their commitment to bringing news, entertainment and information to the Yahoo community across multiple platforms. Joining Yahoo offers a tremendous opportunity to reach people all around the world in the way that they're using and consuming media today."
Describing her new role at Yahoo, she shared, "I will be involved in developing a lot of concepts, but not necessarily doing everything. I will be doing interviews, but not on a daily basis. Probably monthly at this point."
The move means Couric ends her three-year deal with ABC News a year early. She has been a special correspondent for the TV channel and hosting daytime talk show "Katie" distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television.
The former "Today" host is going to continue hosting her self-titled show for the remainder of the current season. Sources at Disney-ABC have previously said that a decision about the show's future will not be made until sometime in December.
In an interview before her move was made public, Couric admitted, "I have always been interested in online and social media and have been trying to figure a way to straddle both worlds. I like being of the moment and embracing what's happening." She, however, insisted that "TV news is not over."
Earlier in her career, Couric was a national political correspondent for "Today" before she became permanent co-anchor on the show in 1991. She departed NBC in 2006 and joined CBS News where she anchored "CBS Evening News" until 2011. She later rejoined ABC News, where she had her first job in 1979.
