Katie Couric Leaving CBS: Report

Katie Couric is ready to break away from the anchor desk.

The CBS Evening News anchor, 54, will leave the primetime series when her contract expires June 4, the Associated Press reported Monday.

Taking over Dan Rather's spot at the anchor desk in 2006, Couric became the first woman appointed to anchor a network nightly newscast solo. The former Today cohost is expected to launch her own syndicated talk show in 2012.

While a departure date has not yet been set for the highest-paid network TV anchor -- who rakes in a reported $15 million annually -- the AP reports an announcement could be imminent.

For their part, CBS is remaining mum on contract talks.

"We're having ongoing discussions with Katie Couric," CBS News spokeswoman Sonya McNair told the AP on Sunday. "We have no announcements to make at this time. Until we do, we will continue to decline comment on rumor or speculation."

Added Couric's spokesman, Matthew Hiltzik: "Ditto."

The journalist -- who was on vacation last week -- was reluctant to address speculation over her future plans during a March 22 appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman.

"Once you take that anchor chair, that's what you do," Letterman told Couric.

"Really?" she answered.

"Look at Walter Cronkite, look at Tom Brokaw, look at Brian Williams, look at Peter Jennings, look at all these people," Letterman continued. "They get in it, they saddle up and they ride into the sunset."

Couric then smiled and said she enjoyed anchoring the evening news, but made no other comment on the matter.
(Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/katie-couric-leaving-cbs-next-month-report-201144)