appears that Katie Couric may be ready to leave CBS Evening News sooner than expected. Her contract is set to run until 2011, but she could be jumping ship as soon as January 2009.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Couric may be leaving in time for the January 2009 presidential inauguration.
The news comes from CBS News executives as well as close friends to Couric.
The CBS Evening News has not been pulling in big ratings to say the least since Couric came on.
She is being paid an estimated $15 million a year salary. CBS is under a great deal of pressure to cut costs while bringing in more viewers.
Couric has stated she is working hard and having fun.
The 51-year old states she is proud of the show.
She began at CBS in September 2006, but is consistently behind NBC’s Nightly News With Brian Williams and ABC’s World News With Charles Gibson.
There is no word yet on who will take-over for Couric.
The rumored candidate, according to the Wall Street Journal, is 74-year old Larry King.
Larry King’s CNN contract is up in 2009.