Posted on 03/01/2010 11:22:34 AM PST by jessduntno
In mid-2011, Katie Couric's five-year contract at CBS News will expire, and network executives appear to be exploring a "Plan B" if she departs after her oft-rocky tenure in the anchor's chair. According to the New York Times, that backup plan could very well be CNN host Anderson Cooper, who reportedly met with CBS execs months ago about anchor opportunities at the network.
The Times got the information from a pair of "TV veterans informed of the meeting."
However, a spokesperson for CNN denies a meeting ever occurred and claim in a statement to EW that Cooper "is not engaged in any additional conversations with them beyond those necessary for his continuing role on 60 Minutes."
Whether Cooper's reported meeting with CBS execs means he is being courted for Couric's job is unclear; he was previously pursued to host the network's 'Early Show,' which has struggled in the ratings. A switch to CBS full-time would be an easy one for Cooper, who is a regular contributor to '60 Minutes.'
Cooper joined CNN in 2001 and has hosted his own show, 'Anderson Cooper 360,' since 2003. He specializes in covering tragedies, including Hurricane Katrina and the recent the earthquake in Haiti.
'360' has not exactly been a ratings boon for CNN and generally ranks third in the 10 PM hour behind FOX's Greta Van Susterein and HLN's Nancy Grace. Often, repeats of MSNBC's Keith Olbermann will edge Cooper out as well. His focus on delivering the news -- and not opinion -- has been cited by industry analysts for his viewership.
Couric's ratings have not changed much either, and she currently ranks behind NBC's Brian Williams and ABC's Diane Sawyer in the evening news race. As we noted in an earlier piece, CBS may be looking to bring down costs in the newsroom due to the economic downturn.
Couric reportedly makes $15 million a year.
NBC's Brian Williams -- who almost permanently holds the top spot among the nightly network news broadcasts -- makes $10 million a year and pulls in, on average, over 3 million more viewers, averaging around 10 million viewers to Couric's 6.5-7 million.
CBS had no comment when asked by the Times, but it is not uncommon for TV stars to take meetings with other networks in the run-up to contract negotiations.
Couric dancing looked like Elaine on Seinfeld...
Obviously they are still looking for the feminine touch in their newscast.
This may sound off the wall, and I doubt if either side would go for this, but I think they should offer the job to Bill O’Reilly.
He’s pretty much worn his welcome with the real conservative FOX viewers, and with his ego, he might just jump at the chance to get back into the MSM market, especially as a headliner. I bet he’d do wonders for CBS’s ratings too.
Sheesh, how bad do you have to be to lose to reruns of "mad dog" Doberman?
I would pay good $$$ to see that, too. ;-)
I’d bet that coop could do that, but in a different color dress.
oops Sorry all, that is probably my fault. Sometimes I scan Olberdork just to see if he has popped his cork yet over Palin.
I probably double his ratings by watching for 30 seconds.
I’d bet that coop could do that, but in a different color dress.”
And higher heels...
Cooper—the Prince of Teabaggers?
How disgusting!
Not disgusting...It’s a fiendishly clever effort by some moles inside CBS to eliminate CBS as an influential news outlet. If they manage to get Cooper annointed to replace Perky, the audience will continue to decline until the only viewers left will be “leathermen” and “bears”.
He is prettier.
Just called Old Friends and Fiends at Black Rock and West 57th.
All agree; This is BS.
(Which probably means it will be announced tomorrow)
All agree; This is BS.
See BS!
How long before he broadcasts the contents of his colon on tv?
beat ya! GMTA
You’d think CBS would have learned a lesson about squat-to-pee anchors.
They are going to replace the rugmuncher with the crown prince of the the land of Blarney?
i guess they wanted to go more feminine.
The article says “if” she departs. Will she have the option to stay or will her contract not be renewed? Not that it makes a hill of beans to me, I didn’t watch her before and I don’t watch her now.
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