The current shakeup on morning network news
continued [Thursday, April 6] with Meredith Vieira's announcement that she will
co-anchor NBC's "Today."
Vieira -- best known for her work as the
voice of reason for the past nine years on ABC's "The View" and as the
host of the syndicated game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" --
made the announcement on "The View" to resounding applause from the
audience. According to the Washington Post, Vieira landed a $40
million, multiyear deal with NBC.
Katie Couric, 49, who shaped
the No. 1-rated "Today" with her bubbly personality and trademark smile
for 15 years, announced [April 5] that she will be heading to anchor
the "CBS Evening News" and report segments on "60 Minutes."
Her helm as a CBS anchor marks the first time a woman has anchored solo on broadcast primetime news.
Both women will start their new positions in September.
... Jill Geisler, a faculty member at the Poynter
Institute, a journalism think tank located in St. Petersburg, Fla.,
says NBC's decision to hire Vieira "proves you can go home again."
"Her
hard news background and ad lib skills from 'The View' -- which is
certainly not a news show, I should underscore -- suggest Meredith will
do a good job," says Geisler, a former television anchor and news
director.
"That said, I don't why NBC didn't go in house. That
isn't a criticism of Meredith but a message for women journalists at
NBC that there are options."
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