CBS News Face The Nation host Bob Schieffer, speaking Wednesday night at the Schieffer Symposium in Fort Worth, announced he would retire this summer. (TVNewser)
“Speaking at the annual Schieffer Symposium,” said David Rhodes, president of CBS News, “with colleagues Gayle King, Holly Williams, and a large audience of students and friends from his home community, Bob said he wanted to end it where it began.” Schieffer has been the host of Face The Nation for 23 years and is one of the very few television journalists who has covered the four major news beats in Washington D.C.—the White House, the Pentagon, the Department of State and Congress. (THR)
Schieffer has announced plans to retire before. In 2008, the longtime host said he planned to step down from Face The Nation after a new president was inaugurated. According to CBS News, he also considered stepping down upon turning 70. (Poynter / MediaWire)
The announcement will inevitably start a round of jockeying for the anchor chair at Face The Nation. The show is typically the most-watched of TV’s Sunday public-affairs programs, but ABC’s This Week With George Stephanopoulos, has made strides over the months in attracting younger viewers while NBC’s Meet The Press has experienced new momentum since Chuck Todd took over hosting duties last year. (Variety)
CBS News now needs to figure out who the right person is to succeed Schieffer. It won’t be an easy task, but given the long-brewing retirement rumors, it is likely the network knows what it wants to do. CBS This Morning co-anchor Norah O’Donnell has frequently filled in for Schieffer, and would make a compelling candidate, though the network could see who else is available or interested. (Capital New York)