Katie Couric is switching networks — and time slots!
The 54-year-old journalist (who left CBS' Evening News on May 19) has inked a multi-year, multi-platform deal with Disney/ABC Television Group on Wednesday to host and produce her own nationally syndicated daytime talk show and to join the ABC news team.
"I'm very happy to be returning to the network where I began my career as a desk assistant in 1979. It is tremendously exciting to have the creative freedom to develop my own show with Anne Sweeney, the Disney/ABC TV Group and Jeff Zucker, and to contribute to such a vibrant, innovative news division," Couric says in a statement. "I can't wait to be part of this incredibly talented, visionary team."
The former Today co-anchor's as-yet-to-be-titled show will premiere in September 2012; it will be executive produced by Zucker, a longtime Couric pal.
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"It was a blast working with Katie at Today and I'm excited to do it again," Zucker says. "And besides, it should be more fun spending time with Katie at 3 or 4 in the afternoon than at 3 or 4 in the morning."
Couric was was the first woman to anchor a network evening news show solo; 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley, 53, was named her replacement in May.
