Anchor Changes at ‘The Early Show,’ Harry Smith, Maggie Rodriguez, Dave Price All Out

By Alex Weprin 

TVNewser hears that an anchor change is in store at CBS’ “The Early Show.” Co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez is believed to be leaving the program, with news anchor Erica Hill to step in and take her place.

The announcement could be made as soon as today. Rodriguez anchored the program this morning (left) alongside Harry Smith.

A spokesperson for CBS News would not confirm the report, and said that the network does not comment on rumors and speculation. Rodriguez joined “The Early Show” as a co-anchor in 2007, and had previously served as co-anchor of the Saturday edition of the program. Before that, she worked at CBS O&O WFOR in Miami, Florida.

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Hill joined CBS full-time earlier this year. She has been co-anchor of the Saturday “Early Show” since 2008.

> More: The AP”s David Bauder reports that co-anchor Harry Smith and weather anchor Dave Price will also be leaving the show, and will be replaced by Chris Wragge and Marysol Castro, respectively.

> More: Insiders tell us Smith will stay with CBS News in an as-yet determined position. Smith, who has co-anchored “Early” since 2002, joined CBS News as a Dallas-based correspondent in 1986.

> Confirmed: Internal memo from CBS News & Sports president Sean McManus after the jump. The “exciting changes” take effect Jan. 3.

From: McManus, Sean
To: @CND News
Cc: Moonves, Leslie
Sent: Tue Nov 30 08:35:44 2010
Subject: Message from Sean McManus

Today we are announcing exciting changes to The Early Show’s lineup.

Erica Hill and Chris Wragge will become the show’s new co-anchors.  Jeff Glor will be news anchor and Marysol Castro is joining CBS News to become the weather anchor.  These changes are effective January 3.

All the members of the new team are gifted and accomplished morning show broadcasters.  Erica, Chris and Jeff are, of course, familiar CBS faces who have already done outstanding work on TES in different roles.  Marysol is a terrific talent, with years of morning show experience covering weather and reporting feature stories.

David Friedman and I share great enthusiasm and confidence that together this team and TES will have a very bright future.

I also want to give sincere thanks to the current TES team.  Harry, Maggie and Dave are outstanding journalists and consummate professionals.  Day in day out, they have delivered excellent broadcasts with tremendous creativity and journalistic integrity, covering the world, anchoring and reporting with distinction.  They are moving on to new and significant roles at CBS News that capitalize on their talents and their interests.

The release below spells out the details of today’s announcement.

Please join me and David in congratulating Erica, Chris, Jeff and Marysol and in thanking Harry, Maggie and Dave.

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