A week after being replaced at The Early Show, Michael Bass is leaving CBS News. A CBS insider tells TVNewser Bass met with The Early Show staff at about 10:30 this morning and announced his departure.
CBS News & Sports president Sean McManus sent an email to the staff about the departure. “After many discussions,” McManus wrote, “I’m disappointed that we couldn’t find or create a job that would compel Michael to stay. He has been a talented-and tireless-leader of our efforts in an extremely competitive daypart.”
Bass had been at CBS for the last five and a half years. He came from NBC News, where he was acting EP of the Today show. In his note, McManus wrote, “In the past year alone, The Early Show has improved its competitive position in virtually every key measurement. For all of that, I am deeply appreciative.”
As for reports that Bass would be going to the CBS Evening News. A CBS spokesperson tells TVNewser, “Michael made it clear to Sean from day one that he was not interested in the #2 job at Evening News.”