Walter Cronkite, the legendary CBS Evening News anchor once celebrated as "the most trusted man in America," has died. He was 92.
"My father, Walter Cronkite, died," The New York Times quoted his son, Chip, as saying. The newsman's family said last month he was seriously ill with cerebrovascular disease.
CBS interrupted its programming to run his obituary.
View photos from Cronkite's life and career
Cronkite, known for his gravelly voice and tell-it-like-it-is reporting, anchored CBS' nightly newscast for 19 years, signing off each broadcast with his now-famous catchphrase, "And that's the way it is." He was the voice America turned to for ...
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CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric has landed the second broadcast network interview with Sarah Palin — the first such sit-down since the infamous Tina Fey-SNL skit.According to A HREF="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TV_COURIC_PALIN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-09-17-07-29-49 The Associated Press, CBS confirmed Couric will spend two days on the road with the Republican vice presidential candidate, as well as presidential hopeful John McCain.Couric's reports will air Sept. 29 and 30 on the CBS Evening News and The Early Show.No word on whether any of the interview will air on 60 Minutes.Will you be watching the next Palin interview with Katie Couric asking the tough questions? Or, would you rather re-watch the SNL skit with Tina Fey? — Erin FoxRelated• Sarah Palin Laughed Along with SNL• SNL Opener; Fey Scores!
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For the second consecutive week, ratings for the CBS Evening News have reached a record low. TVNewser.com reports that the broadcast averaged 5.3 million total viewers, and just over 1.5 million in the 25-54 demo — an all-time low. The week prior, the broadcast, anchored by Katie Couric, attracted 5.39 million viewers and 1.69 million adults 25-54. They are the lowest numbers recorded for the program since Nielsen began tracking network evening newscast ratings during the 1987-88 season. — J.R. WhalenRelated:• If Couric Exits CBS, Who Could Fill the Anchor Chair?
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Former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw tells the Boston Herald he warned Katie Couric about moving from morning to evening news."I told her when she left that it's a dive off the high board," Brokaw said. "This is harder than it looks, to go from the morning to the evening."He feels CBS shares some of the blame for CBS Evening News' declining ratings since Couric took over the anchor chair. "I think that they made a number of mistakes in terms of how they marketed her and what their approach to the news was."Couric's low ratings have fueled speculation that CBS may replace her after the 2009 presidential inauguration. — J.R. WhalenRelated:• Buzz Builds That Couric Is Eyeing Exit from CBS• The Biz: If Couric Exits CBS, Who Could Fill the Anchor Chair?
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Katie Couric, who isn't even halfway through her five-year/$15-million-per pact with CBS, may vacate the Evening News anchor chair the instant the ink is dry on the next U.S. president's inauguration papers (assuming there are papers to be signed when one becomes leader of the free world). According to the Wall Street Journal, with Evening News ratings floundering and Eye execs under increasing pressure to cut costs, Couric could be gone by January 2009 — and, as previously reported, perhaps sliding behind Larry King's desk at CNN. (Who could replace Katie at CBS? Read The Biz for the likely candidates.)A CBS News rep responded to this latest buzz by saying, "We are very proud of the CBS Evening News... and we have no plans for any changes regarding Katie or the broadcast." Couric herself issued this statement: "I am working hard and having fun. My colleagues continue to impress me with their commitment to the newscast, and I am very proud of the show we put on every day." What...
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