Couric Leaving CBS?: The Timing

While the report of Katie Couric‘s potential new year’s departure from the CBS Evening News wasn’t unforeseen, the news that she may leave CBS altogether, is. Insiders tell TVNewser discussions have been ongoing over Couric’s future at the network, with one saying a correspondent role on 60 Minutes was in the cards.

The story by the Wall Street Journal’s Rebecca Dana also keeps the option open that Couric stays. “It’s possible that Ms. Couric could survive if a major news event lifted the newscast’s ratings or some other shift occurred at CBS,” writes Dana.

“I am working hard and having fun. My colleagues continue to impress me with their commitment to the newscast, and I am very proud of the show we put on every day,” Couric said in a prepared statement.

The news of a possible Couric exit may be timed to offset rumblings from within. After a round of layoffs shed as many as 160 jobs from the CBS Stations division as well as 1% of the staff at CBS News, execs may be under pressure to account for Couric’s $15 million annual salary and third place broadcast.

Create a social media strategy, launch your campaign, and track the results in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. The online event and workshop will feature speakers including The Onion‘s Baratunde Thurston (left), Facebook’s Morin Oluwole, and bitly’s Tim Devane. Register now.