Katie Couric moves to ABC with multi-platform deal

Daytime show, executive produced by Jeff Zucker, premieres in 2012

By Daniel Fienberg Monday, Jun 6, 2011 1:43 PM

Katie Couric

Credit: Lucas Jackson/AP

Katie Couric has officially signed a multi-year, multi-platform deal with Disney/ABC Television Group.

The centerpiece of Couric's Disney/ABC deal is an hour-long daytime show premiering in September 2012.

"I'm very happy to be returning to the network where I began my career as a desk assistant in 1979," Couric says in the ABC release. "It is tremendously exciting to have the creative freedom to develop my own show with Anne Sweeney, the Disney/ABC TV Group and Jeff, and to contribute to such a vibrant, innovative news division. I can’t wait to be part of this incredibly talented, visionary team."

The "Jeff" in question is, of course, Jeff Zucker. The departed NBC-Universal bigwig will serve as executive producer on the yet-to-be-titled syndicated series, which will be based in New York City. Couric and Zucker previously worked together on NBC's "Today."

"It was a blast working with Katie at ‘Today’ and I’m excited to do it again," Zucker states. "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."

With over a year before the premiere of the daytime show, Couric's first move in her new corporate home will be joining the ABC News team, starting this summer. The network says Couric will anchor specials, contribute interviews, participate in special events coverage.

"Katie Couric is one of television’s iconic figures and we are thrilled to have forged such an exciting partnership with her," states Anne Sweeney, president, Disney/ABC Television Group and co-chair, Disney Media Networks. "We look forward to having Katie join the best News team in the business, and to working with her to create a dynamic and successful talk show franchise."

Couric worked on NBC's "Today" from 1989 through 2006, serving as host or co-host through most of that run. She left "Today" in 2006 to become new anchor and managing editor for "CBS Evening News" and a regular contributor for "60 Minutes." She announced her decision to leave her evening news position in April, formally leaving the anchor chair on May 19.

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Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.

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Alex

Dan-I can't email you with my frivolous comment! so it's in the comments...and off topic. But, now with the redesign, we get headshots of the writers. I always pictured you from the podcasts as looking like Mike Emerson for some reason (maybe your obvious duplicity and love of ham?), but was not expecting full beardage. Don't get me wrong-my respect wasn't that high to be lessened (kidding!). Will have to get used to it.

Oh, and I hope Couric creates a Charlie Rose for the afternoon. Probably not, but she can still have important interviews along with the inevitable fluff.
June 6, 2011 at 2:36PM EST Reply to Comment
- dan Alex - Clearly Sepinwall needs to be spending even more podcasting time urging me to shave... Just to reenforce the correct image... I'm sure he'll be glad to comply.
  
  -Daniel
  June 6, 2011 at 2:45PM EST
- Alex Dan-I didn't mention I have to fight a war on my face every other day. In the Game of Hairy Thrones you shave constantly or you die (in the notice of the fairer sex).
  June 6, 2011 at 3:49PM EST