Andrew Heyward will leave CBS News when his contract expires at the end of the year. "It's time for a change, both for the News division and for me," he wrote in a memo to staffers this morning.

"As for my own plans, I do not intend to 'pursue other interests' or even 'spend more time with my family,' wonderful as it is. I am going to remain fully engaged in the media business. My goal is to explore that frontier just over the horizon where journalism, technology, and the needs of a new generation intersect in exciting and important ways," he says.

The full memo is after the jump...
From: Heyward, Andrew

To: CBS News

Subject: Message from Andrew

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I wanted you to know ahead of the official announcement today that I will be leaving CBS when my contract expires at the end of the year. After nearly ten years in this job -- a record in the post-Paley-ozoic era -- it's time for a change, both for the News division and for me.

Leslie Moonves will be announcing my replacement shortly. The appointment is effective on November 7th, and I will be available to the new president as an advisor for the rest of the year as needed.

I've worked at CBS News for more than 24 years, as a field producer, broadcast producer, executive producer, and president. The last quarter-century has been a time of seismic change in the broadcast-journalism landscape, and it's been my privilege to play a role in steering CBS News across that shifting terrain and into the future.

I have every confidence that CBS News will thrive in the coming years, thanks to the extraordinarily talented and dedicated men and women who work here. My colleagues at CBS have enriched my life beyond measure, through challenging times and triumphs alike.

As for my own plans, I do not intend to 'pursue other interests' or even 'spend more time with my family,' wonderful as it is. I am going to remain fully engaged in the media business. My goal is to explore that frontier just over the horizon where journalism, technology, and the needs of a new generation intersect in exciting and important ways.

In the meantime, I hope to say thanks and good-bye to as many of you as possible in the coming weeks. I owe you more than I can say, and I will take great pride in your continued success.

Cheers,

Andrew