Will Katie Couric Take Over for Dan Rather?

Posted on December 20, 2004

CBS continues its search for an anchor to replace departing news anchor Dan Rather. Broadcasting & Cable magazine reports that CBS wants to "land a superstar to take over" for Rather and that Katie Couric, host of the popular Today show is CBS's top pick. Couric is still tied to a $15 million a year contract with NBC, which expires in 18 months. "Virtually everyone in the news pantheon who's younger than 60 is tied up even longer than Couric or simply doesn't want the gig," the magazine reports.

The plan (assuming Ms. Couric is even interested in the spot) is for someone like Bob Schiffer or Ed Bradley to take over on an interim basis until Katie is available in 2006. The gig would reportedly be worth a whopping $20 million a year -- or even more. I like Bob Schiffer; he did a good job during the presidential debates. Although nobody did as well as Jim Lehrer. I like having one of the grizzled old guys at the anchor desks; it's soothing somehow. Especially when the news they're reporting is turn your hair white awful. It's nice to have grandpa say it will all be ok.