 Katie Couric raised money for colon cancer charities |
Today TV host Katie Couric is to become the first woman to anchor a US evening news bulletin on her own after announcing she is joining CBS. Couric, 49, announced she was leaving NBC's Today programme as she celebrated her 15th anniversary of being with the top-rated breakfast show.
She will leave NBC in May to present the CBS Evening News.
Couric is already one of the highest-paid figures on US TV, earning a reported $10m (�5.7m) a year.
Together with co-host Matt Lauer, Couric has helped maintain Today's lead as the most-watched US morning show, bringing in lucrative advertising revenue.
'Honour and privilege'
It had been widely hinted for several months that Couric was planning to leave NBC when her latest contract expired.
"It's been such an honour and a privilege to occupy this seat for as long as I have," Couric told Today viewers.
"Sometimes I think change is a good thing. Although it may be terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it's also very exciting to start a new chapter in your life."
The CBS Evening News is currently hosted by Bob Schieffer. He replaced the widely-respected Dan Rather, who retired from the show after 24 years.
Couric is expected to contribute to the long-running news magazine show 60 Minutes.
As well as her news commitments, Couric promotes awareness of colon cancer, helping to raise millions of dollars, following the death of her husband from the disease in 1998.
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