I would give CBS executives anywhere from 24 to 72 hours before they issue the retraction. If they don't they will lose a huge share of their remaining TV News audience (as small as it is ...)
This is a good point you make. Rather doesn't own CBS and he's got a history of shoddy journalism. He will probably never apologize, but the suits at CBS will make an announcement soon regarding their position. He might vry well resign in protest.
Maybe they are waiting for some overnights to see how there ratings are doing? If there ratings show signs of tanking(which is hard to imagine them dropping further) then they will be forced to correct the problem, Dan Rather, woodshed=new anchor.
I'm thinking late Friday afternoon. Wait, that's today. By 5pm eastern. Just a guess.