Larry King and CNN Agree to Contract Extension

Exclusive: Sources tell TVNewser that CNN and Larry King have agreed to a contract extension, which will keep the anchor with the network through 2010, beyond his 77th birthday.

> Update: The extension will actually continue until June 2011. TVNewser spoke with King’s agent, John Ferriter, who confirmed the deal to be, “the exact same deal as last time,” just extended for two years. “Larry’s thrilled to continue to call CNN his home,” said Ferriter.

A recent New York Times story speculating about Katie Couric‘s future reported that King’s contract was set to expire in the summer of 2009.

The article also revealed the CBS Evening News anchor was eying King’s CNN slot as a possible move if she were to leave CBS. “Couric discussed several things she might do if she left the anchor post, according to the executives, including a daily talk show to be syndicated by CBS, or replacing Larry King in a prime-time position on CNN,” the Times story claimed.

CNN doesn’t comment on employee contracts, but a CNN spokesperson tells TVNewser, “Larry is the best there is, he’ll be here for a long time.”

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