Will replace retiring Gibson
By Jeffrey Jolson

Sawyer in as Gibson bows out

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 9/2/09 – ABC News President David Westin confirmed he will place Diane Sawyer as the anchor of its nightly news. The “Good Morning America” co-anchor will replace Charlie Gibson, who will reportedly be resigning.
This is a major sea change for the alphabet network’s news lineup, which has been straggling in the ratings. Anchors like NBC’s Brian Williams have been winning on the hipster scale, while cable news shows from CNN and Fox to even Jon Stewart continue to kick a little network ass.
Gibson said in an email that “I have always been taught you should never bury the lead – so I write to tell you that I have told David Westin I want to step down as anchor of World News, and retire from full time employment at ABC News.
It has not been an easy decision to make. 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.”
Whether Sawyer at 63-years-old can get younger demographics than Gibson, 66, remains to be seen. Yet Sawyer is a seasoned and highly respected reporter and anchor.
Westin said Sawyer will anchor ‘World News’ starting in January 2010. Gibson will remain on till December.