A lot of people are planning or are rumored to be leaving their television jobs. So far only one is leaving for sure and that is Glenn Beck. Though he is still winning his time slot with 1.9 million viewers at the 5PM slot., but he lost 30% of his viewers from this time last year and he lost 300 sponsors. He also has had some remarks that many found offensive, mainly calling the President a "racist". Though he will still give commentary for Fox News he will be leaving by the end of 2011. "The Today Show" may be losing not 1 but 2 of its morning anchors. Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer have been in the news lately because there have been talks about them both leaving the show. Meredith's contract ends at the end of the year and it is said that she is ready to leave the show after only 5 years. Though reps for NBC an the show have said that this is not true, it seems more like fact than fiction. Matt Lauer's contract runs out next year and he is said to be looking for a way out as well. I wonder if this has anything to do with Comcast taking over NBC?What makes this even more interesting is the other former Today Show's co-host who could be on her way out as well.
Katie Couric left "The Today Show" 5 years ago to anchor the CBS Evening news. They hoped she would bring in ratings and lift them to a higher position. Well that did not work and with her contract expiring later this year it is said that she is on her way out. I could easily see this happening. What makes this THAT much more interesting is the rumor that Katie and Matt are going to be teaming up for a show that they will both co-host. On the other hand people have said that she will have her own talk show. This is okay, but there are just SO many out there now that this would be a failure.
Either way this is going to be very very interesting. These people have become television figures that many of Americans have depended on for news and other info for many years. I am giving these departures a Digit Up because I am curious to see who or what will replace them.
This is no surprise at all... Katie Couric is getting her own talk show. Her new show will debut in September 2012 on ABC and it will be set in New York City. Of course this is partly due to the Oprah's retirement, because who would want to go against Oprah? Couric will have part ownership in her new show, so this will not be something she will be taking lightly. ABC also announced that eight ABC-owned stations covering nearly one-quarter of the nation's population including stations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — have agreed to air it in the 3 p.m. weekday time slot. Couric will also conduct interviews, participate in special events coverage and even appear on shows such as Good Morning America, World News and Nightline. Couric also said she wants to combine the three elements of most talk shows today like Oprah did by including news, entertainment and health information. Only about one of every 10 new syndicated shows that come on the market succeed, and do not see this show succeeding. Does anyone remember Jane Pauley? Probably not. Katie Couric has more star power than Pauley but I do not see her as entertaining. Her prime has passed, in the 90's, which might have been a MUCH better time for her to have a talk show. People loved her, she was spunky, fresh and all that other stuff people love. Now she has been that lady on some news show that no one watched. On top of that she is not going to start her show until late 2012! Will forget about her by August 2011. I can see her having a lot of older people
being very interested in her, but I will not be one of those people watching her new show, past the 1st episode of course. I am giving Katie Couric a Digit Down.
