How Couric's Switch Was Reported
Of the three broadcast-network evening newscasts, only NBC (the network Katie Couric will soon leave) did not have the story about Couric's switch at the very end of their evening newscast. NBC had the story at 6:52 P.M. EDT, prior to the final commercial break. Following the final commercial break, NBC ran a story about author Art Buchwald, reported by former anchor Tom Brokaw.
ABC and CBS closed the newscast with it; ABC had a brief "tell" story with Elizabeth Vargas saying she was delighted that another woman would soon join the ranks of network evening news anchors; while CBS had a slightly longer segment, with a soundbite of Couric's announcement and a taped statement from interim "CBS Evening News" anchor Bob Schieffer. Schieffer himself wasn't on tonight (April 5th); weekend anchor Russ Mitchell was in the chair this evening, but said Schieffer would return Thursday and that Couric would start in September.
The various entertainment magazine shows (except for "Extra") led their Wednesday-night editions with the story; I wonder how many CBS affiliates led their midday or early-evening local newscasts with Couric's announcement.