Couric likely to leave CBS

That's what the WSJ is posting, quoting those close to the CBS anchor. The departure could happen soon after the presidential inauguration early next year and well before her contract expires in 2011. Couric and the network issued separate statements saying that everything is peachy (though Couric did not declare her intention to stay). If the story is true, it could be a long and awkward stretch between now and next January - and might in itself hasten an even earlier exit. The story says Couric could still survive if a major news event lifted the newscast's ratings or some other shift occurred at CBS. Another intriguing nugget: the possibility that Couric may succeed Larry King at CNN (his contract through into next year).

CNN President Jon Klein, a CBS veteran with close ties to some at the network, has expressed admiration for Ms. Couric's work, and the two are friends. They had lunch in late January, and the anchor attended Mr. Klein's birthday party in March. Time Warner Inc.'s CNN said, "Larry King is a great talent who consistently delivers the highest profile guests, and we have no plans to make a change." Through a publicist, Mr. King declined to comment. Mr. King's talk-show slot at CNN might be a better fit than evening-newscast anchor for Ms. Couric, who is 51. She made her reputation as a skilled interviewer when she was an anchor at the "Today" show on General Electric Co.'s NBC network.

Ratings for the evening news under Couric have been poor - in fact, they've never bested those of Bob Schieffer, who was named anchore temporarily after Dan Rather left. Couric gets paid $15 million a year, but that could be a side issue next to the drop in primetime ratings. So, who leaked this thing?