Charlie Gibson's Final "World News" Broadcast Set For December 18

Charlie Gibson will sign-off as anchor of ABC's "World News" on December 18, the network announced Tuesday.

Diane Sawyer will assume the anchor's chair on December 21. Her "Good Morning America" replacement is yet to be named, but the New York Times reports that she is expected to leave the morning program on December 11.

The Times' Brian Stelter and Bill Carter describe ABC News' planned transition strategy as
"the anti-Katie," noting that by making the move just before Christmas the network hopes for a low-key, quiet transition (unlike Katie Couric's much-celebrated move to the "CBS Evening News").

Gibson announced his retirement in September but the transition date remained unknown until Tuesday.

"We're going to spend a good deal of time during his final week on the air looking back at the stories Charlie covered, hearing again from some of the remarkable people he interviewed, and paying tribute to our friend and colleague, and the enormous contribution he has made to ABC News over the last three decades," wrote Jon Banner, Executive Producer of "World News."

Comments

[balancedsolution]

08:03 PM on 12/02/2009

I'm riveted.

[LiamMunny]

09:40 AM on 12/02/2009

Leave already!

The news shouldn't be about the anchor.

[LisaO8]

09:36 AM on 12/02/2009

Who watches the nightly news anymore?! I mean really, especially after the Tiger "scandal," how much more do you need to see that our national media has become the most inept news source of our time.

[PeterBright]

09:29 AM on 12/02/2009

Gibson's departure will leave a major void in, not only ABC News, but news anchoring period. Diane is talented, but ill-suited for her pending position. She and ABC will regret the move. Unfortunately the Disney Network lacks a replacement from within it's ranks.
I understand Charlie's move on a personal level for he and his family. My internal sense of loss after the eighteenth aside, I want to say "Thank you" for a job well done, Charles. Good night and good luck.
Peter Bright

[berthanan]

10:27 AM on 12/02/2009

I agree with you..Gonna miss Charlie...Best wishes

[mlmn08]

08:51 AM on 12/02/2009

Sorry, but I always liked Charlie. He is a down to earth regular guy who does indeed love the news and has always shown a keen knowledge and genuine interest in what he does. I wish him a great retirement.

[imsosure]

10:31 PM on 12/01/2009

Have you ever tried paying attention to the news with his noggin moving around on a big screen t v, next to impossible

[LisaO8]

09:37 AM on 12/02/2009

Does he have Parkinson's? I always thought he did because of the head movements, but wasn't sure, guess I should look it up:)

[PlayTOE]

10:02 PM on 12/01/2009

Charlie Gibson will be remembered (by me and many others) for asking Sarah Palin a question on the 'Bush Doctrine' and showing us all that she was totally clueless on foreign policy. For that alone he deserves respect as one who served his country well, and reported the NEWS.

As for his retirement ... may he enjoy his rest.

[thebeerdoctor]

03:21 AM on 12/02/2009

I agree with your point about ex-Governor Palin, That was Charlie Gibson's greatest contribution.

[greenman415]

09:43 PM on 12/01/2009

Are there any viewers who will actually miss Gibson? He is, without question, the most boring and least substantive talking head in all of TV news.

[Factonfact]

09:17 PM on 12/01/2009

Here's another date for your leaving, Charlie: December 2 (early in the morning).

[tangerinesong]

09:11 PM on 12/01/2009

Gee Charlie,

Thanks for the Holiday present. You’re better than sleeping medication. I will savor it because I can’t be going to sleep at 5:00 in the evening so again I say thank....ZZZZzzzzzzz

[sunro]

07:03 PM on 12/01/2009

I miss Peter Jennings. What a gentleman and truly interested in world news.

[koalaholik]

07:21 PM on 12/01/2009

Peter Jennings was the last anchor ABC had with any true credentials as a journalist. I remember his first try at anchoring back in the '70s. He was smart enough to recognize that he needed seasoning and went back to reporting. What a great journalist he was.

[cloudminder]

07:40 PM on 12/01/2009

i wish Peter Jennings was alive to explain what happened to Brit Hume- who used to be with ABC and Jennings.

[Deninor]

06:43 PM on 12/01/2009

I didn't know he was still alive. I looked at ABC News a few years ago and thought Gibson had died - he sounded like he was talking from the tomb.

[FerrellGummitt]

05:38 PM on 12/01/2009

One Obama Borg replaces another Obama Borg.

Resistance is Futile!!!

[jrsh]

05:14 PM on 12/01/2009

I've watched Charlie for years and will be sorry to see him retire but he deserves it. I've like Diane for years but the last time she was doing the evening news she seemed out of focus...only her, not anything else. I hope they don't continue this because I won't be able to watch her.

[butchie65]

05:12 PM on 12/01/2009

Can't be soon enough !