Diane Sawyer to replace Charles Gibson as anchor of the ABC Evening News
Updated Wednesday, September 2nd 2009, 11:58 AM
ABC's "World News" anchor Charlie Gibson is retiring and will be replaced by Diane Sawyer.
"It has not been an easy decision to make," Gibson said in an e-mail to staffers.
"This has been my professional home for almost 35 years. And I love this news department, and all who work in it, to the depths of my soul."
Gibson, 66, replaced former "World News" anchors Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff in 2006. He will step down at the end of the year.
Sawyer, 63, currently anchors "Good Morning America."
ABC News President David Westin said in a separate e-mail to staff Wednesday that after several weeks of discussion, Gibson convinced him the move is what he wants.
"I respect his decision, just as I respect the enormous contribution he has made to ABC News through the years," Westin said.
Gibson revealed that he had originally planned to step down two years ago, "but with Peter [Jennings'] illness, Bob [Woodruff's] injuries, and Elizabeth [Vargas'] pregnancy, the job at 'World News' came open in May of 2006."
When he was asked to step in, Gibson said, "it was an honor to do so."
Of Gibson's replacement, Westin said: "Diane Sawyer is the right person to succeed Charlie and build on what he has accomplished.
"She has an outstanding and varied career in television journalism, beginning with her role as a State Department correspondent and continuing at '60 Minutes,' 'Primetime Live,' and most recently 'Good Morning America.'"
The move makes Sawyer only the second woman to solo anchor an evening newscast. Katie Couric has been at the "CBS Evening News" since Sept. 2006.
During his time at "World News," Gibson covered a wide range of stories, including the violence between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, the Virgina Tech shooting in 2007 and the historic 2008 presidential election.
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