Katie Couric Named Yahoo! News Global Anchor

By Jordan Chariton 

Katie Couric has been named Global News Anchor for Yahoo! News.

“It’s very exciting to be a part of a leading company at the intersection of content and technology,” Couric says. “I have great admiration for Marissa Mayer and her team and their commitment to bringing news, entertainment and information to the Yahoo community across multiple platforms. ”

Couric will debut on Yahoo! in early 2014. She’ll cover live world events while interviewing newsmakers and thought leaders. She’ll continue hosting her ABC syndicated daytime show “Katie” for the remainder of this season. Disney-ABC tells TVNewser a decision on season three of “Katie” will be made in mid-December.

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“News is a definitive daily habit for our users,” adds Mayer. “Katie will work with our talented editorial team to pioneer a new chapter of digital journalism.”

But don’t expect a traditional newscast online. “We are trying to be very open-minded,” Couric tells Capital New York. “I don’t think it is going to be a half-hour evening news broadcast or a two-hour morning show.”

While she won’t be working directly for ABC News anymore, she’ll still turn up on ABC News digital channels.

“ABC News has a powerful alliance with Yahoo so we expect there will be all kinds opportunities to continue working together in the future,” ABC News SVP Jeffrey Schneider tells TVNewser.

Yahoo’s press release after the jump.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 18, 2013 — Yahoo (YHOO) announced today that award-winning journalist, best-selling author, and television host Katie Couric is joining the company as Global Anchor, as part of Yahoo’s ongoing commitment to re-imagine how news and information is delivered and consumed. Beginning in 2014, Katie will help develop Yahoo News’ coverage with a growing team of global correspondents who will report on live world events, anchor groundbreaking interviews with major newsmakers and thought leaders, and much more. In addition to her new role at Yahoo, Katie will continue to host her syndicated daytime talk show, Katie.

“Katie’s depth of experience, her intellectual curiosity, and her charisma make her the perfect choice to anchor Yahoo News and the whole Yahoo Network. Her unmatched energy, savvy, and versatility enables her to connect with audiences across the globe,” said Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo. “News is a definitive daily habit for our users — and Katie will work with our talented editorial team to pioneer a new chapter of digital journalism.”

“It’s very exciting to be a part of a leading company at the intersection of content and technology,” said Katie Couric. “I have great admiration for Marissa Mayer and her team and their commitment to bringing news, entertainment and information to the Yahoo community across multiple platforms.  Joining Yahoo offers a tremendous opportunity to reach people all around the world in the way that they’re using and consuming media today.”

Yahoo is committed to inspiring and entertaining its 800 million users worldwide with trusted news and original content, delivered in new ways through innovative product experiences. The company is investing in top talent and leading industry voices, with recent hires including tech columnist David Pogue, Yahoo News editor in chief Megan Liberman, and national political columnist Matt Bai. Yahoo continues to work closely with partners like ABC News to cover live events through its growing digital video network.

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