CBS Eyeing Anderson Cooper for Katie Couric's Job?

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 1st 2010 10:01AM

In mid-2011, Katie Couric's five-year contract at CBS News will expire, and network executives appear to be exploring a "Plan B" if she departs after her oft-rocky tenure in the anchor's chair. According to the New York Times, that backup plan could very well be CNN host Anderson Cooper, who reportedly met with CBS execs months ago about anchor opportunities at the network.

The Times got the information from a pair of "TV veterans informed of the meeting."

However, a spokesperson for CNN denies a meeting ever occurred and claim in a statement to EW that Cooper "is not engaged in any additional conversations with them beyond those necessary for his continuing role on 60 Minutes."

Whether Cooper's reported meeting with CBS execs means he is being courted for Couric's job is unclear; he was previously pursued to host the network's 'Early Show,' which has struggled in the ratings. A switch to CBS full-time would be an easy one for Cooper, who is a regular contributor to '60 Minutes.'

Cooper joined CNN in 2001 and has hosted his own show, 'Anderson Cooper 360,' since 2003. He specializes in covering tragedies, including Hurricane Katrina and the recent the earthquake in Haiti.

'360' has not exactly been a ratings boon for CNN and generally ranks third in the 10 PM hour behind FOX's Greta Van Susterein and HLN's Nancy Grace. Often, repeats of MSNBC's Keith Olbermann will edge Cooper out as well. His focus on delivering the news -- and not opinion -- has been cited by industry analysts for his viewership.

Couric's ratings have not changed much either, and she currently ranks behind NBC's Brian Williams and ABC's Diane Sawyer in the evening news race. As we noted in an earlier piece, CBS may be looking to bring down costs in the newsroom due to the economic downturn.

Couric reportedly makes $15 million a year.

NBC's Brian Williams -- who almost permanently holds the top spot among the nightly network news broadcasts -- makes $10 million a year and pulls in, on average, over 3 million more viewers, averaging around 10 million viewers to Couric's 6.5-7 million.

CBS had no comment when asked by the Times, but it is not uncommon for TV stars to take meetings with other networks in the run-up to contract negotiations.

Tags: anderson cooper, katie couric

Comments

(177)

Monday 01 March

By E. Rich

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yes, yes, yes, Eliz. Vargas. Pretty, smart not to gushy.

By sgunknown

katie retire try to save what little is left of your dignity

By bag o cheese

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dat man is a fish-eye...don't hire him..

By gardengoddess

Katie needs just a wee bit more work done on her face. Do her children even recognize her?

By jeff

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a man-hater is being replaced by a woman-hater.

By Judy

I hope Katie goes back to the Today Show and Meredith goes away. All Meredith contributes is to pant over any attractive man.

By Geep

CBS.....cut your losses now!!! Get rid of 'Katie' the loser and get AC to begin immediately. Watch and see, CBS news will gain viewship overnight with AC there and 'Katie" gone. This was the biggest mistake that CBS made, getting her in the anchor slot. Once gone, no one will ever ask what happened to her as no one cares....Please give us an option vs ABC and NBC......AC would be perfect!!!

By Walter

Cooper's lack of ratings are due to the fact he "delivers the news rather than opinion"? Really? Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I can tell, Greta Van Susteran doesn't exactly espouse radical ideology on her show. She's doing the exact same thing as Cooper (minus getting up close and personal with people's misery), and is one of the tamest at Fox. The fact she is beating Cooper in the ratings somewhat surprises me, but then again, Cooper is constantly showcasing human suffering on his show, so it's not all that crazy that people don't want to watch him... that and FoxNews trounces CNN in ratings across the board. I heard their late-night show "Red Eye" beats Campbell Brown in ratings... so go figure.

By d

Samantha who cares,Their are lots of pretty gay ladies also,Gays have sexual demons.

By RallyG

Who cares? They're both stupid liberals who don't have a clue, and their networks are nothing but Odumbo slobber and drool lapdogs.
Watching the sun go down is more interesting than watching either of these two slugs.

By nick

Just what we need another left wing progressive Democrat faggot doing the national news, whats new!!!!

By gobluespartyon

You're a bigot Nick. And if you don't care then don't click the headline and ignore it that easy. I don't watch Anderson Cooper his show is move news than opinion from what I have watched from time to time I don't think he's a progressive he's liberal but not progressive. But you think all liberals are progressives which I don't buy. Being progressive isn't just for liberals conservatives can be progressives as well I feel like I'm a progressive conservative that supports gay marriage and rights.

By David

Does anyone even watch CBS news? I don't! They should not even be in the news business.

By Valerie

A Female is great for ratings. Val Herrmann should be the next anchor. Pls.Go to you tube and type in A Real Estate Story. I can be reached at 203 322-2300 X219 In regards to Katie, yes she is a classy lady but not perceived as a Businesswoman, certainly a lovely person.

By ken

Cooper talks too fast, like so many other cable chatterers. No denying that he rolls back his sleeves and tackles a story like he's wrestling a bear. Wouldn't hugging a desk be too tame for him?
Slammed and ridiculed since she took over, Katy has proven herself tops in interviewing tongue-stuck people - Palin and McCain especially.
As her pre-decessor declared: "I didn't know who Sarah Palin was until Katy interviewed her."

By Juanita Saunders

I don't like either; Anderson or Katie. Katie having a pic in the upper part nude is not appealing @ all for the News Media. I haven't watched her since she came down (demeaning)on Sarah Palin. No one deserves to be mistreated. I went to Fox.

By Foune

Anderson Cooper will do good no matter where He is,He is such a caring person, watching Him covered Katrina, hurricane in Texas etc and the last Haiti,He is the greatest, I hope He stays where He is

ANDERSON WE,THE HAITIANS WE LOVE YOU'

MAY GOD BLESS YOU

By Diana Franqui

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I think it's a great idea, Anderson Cooper has just the right balance to inform yet be a down to earth person,smart,handsome,witty I think he would also bring up ratings up.
I always make it a point to watch him whenever a big story hits.I don't care what time he is on I will stay up to listen to his perspective on all sides.
Thanks
Diana Franqui

By pjgblg

Couric is the Susan Lucci of the news. Ability has not increased one iota since she started. Absolutely no charisma whatsoever. Nearly anyone could do better.

By Burt

Yeah... that should work ... Anderson WHO ?

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