Katie Couric quits as Yahoo’s global news anchor
Veteran journalist Katie Couric is to end her high-profile role as global news anchor at Yahoo along with her regular interview segments following a $4.5bn takeover of the internet firm by Verizon.
Couric has interviewed several high-profile figures during her Yahoo tenure including former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
Couric was parachuted in by former Yahoo chief executive Marissa Meyer four years ago to bolster the internet firm’s video news output and will remain on board with Oath, a new Verizon division subsuming element of both AOL and Yahoo, on a project basis.
In a statement given to Variety an Oath spokesperson said: “Over the last four years, Katie has created a vast portfolio of work that has been equal parts inspiring, thought-provoking and fun to watch. We’re proud of everything she has accomplished and look forward to exploring ways to work together in the future.”
Couric built her name as anchor of CBS Evening News and NBC’s Today programme before her symbolic jump to Yahoo seen by many at the time as symbolizing the growing importance of internet video, interviewing high-profile guests such as Edward Snowden.
Oath is being headed up by former AOL chief Tim Armstrong and will incorporate more than 50 media and tech brands including AOL.com, HuffPost, Yahoo Sports, TechCrunch, Engadget, MAKERS, Tumblr, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo Mail and Flickr.
Yahoo launched 18 videos series in an effort to establish a footing in the sector before Mayers scrapped the initiative to knuckle down on its core search business.