When Katie Couric moved to CBS in 2006, the decision was subject to endless media fanfare and criticism. Diane Sawyer‘s move to ABC, replacing Charlie Gibson as anchor of World News, however, was much quieter. Washington Post columnist Howard Kurtz takes a look at Sawyer’s work since she left Good Morning America, and how she has changed World News.

Diane Sawyer has been the anchor of ABC’s World News for just over one week, and the first week ratings are in.

It’s obviously very early, but here’s a breakdown of the good, the bad and what the future may hold.

With Diane Sawyer‘s “smooth” debut last night as anchor of ABC’s World News, the transitions taking place at the network are beginning to come to light.

Executive Producer Jon Banner says it was a “solid” start – and talked to Mediaite about ratings, how Sawyer is different from Charlie Gibson and more.

I’ve said this before, but Diane Sawyer is smooth. Her voice is smooth. Her hair is smooth. Her segues are smooth. She’s even smoother than a smoothie, because those often have seeds, and seeds would never dare sully the smoothness that is Diane Sawyer.

Sunday morning on Reliable Sources with Howard Kurtz, Mediaite’s editor at large Rachel Sklar stopped by to chat about George Stephanopoulos‘ move to Good Morning America and Charlie Gibson‘s final week on the ABC News. It’s time for Stephanopoulos to “flex a few different muscles,” Sklar said. “It’s time to go online and surf the net!” That, or “they should all just go out for karaoke.”

Friday was now-former ABC World News anchor Charlie Gibson‘s last day as anchor, and his sign-off was pretty pitch-perfect, with just the right combination of journalistic gravitas (“Objectivity is not universally in favor in our business these days, but it is critically important. It is what we strive for each night”) and clearly-felt sentiment (“It [...]

Today was Charlie Gibson’s final broadcast at ABC World News after three and a half years of leading his network’s flagship news program out of its most tenuous and uncertain time — and into an even more uncertain one for the entire news profession. On Monday, his colleague Diane Sawyer will take over, and the ABC evening news will go on, as it always has. But looking back, there’s probably no way it could have happened without Gibson, steady and calm at the center, an anchor in the true sense of the word.

Ashley Dupre made a stop at The View today to talk about her new New York Post column, cheating men and more.

Soon-to-be departing ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson was there too, but he was the 2nd guest (priorities). Also, she poked fun at how little the Post pays (it’s no prostitution, that’s for sure).

Yesterday the news came out that George Stephanopoulos had been “offered” the Good Morning America job being vacated at the end of next week when Diane Sawyer takes over for Charlie Gibson the following week on World News.

The Washington Post reported the story as “BREAKING” – but it wasn’t a surprise. What it means is Stephanopoulos has to take the job.

Tonight NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams marked his five-year anniversary in the anchor chair after taking over from Tom Brokaw in 2004. Since then he’s covered Iraq, Afghanistan, Katrina, the Tsunami, and a hugely historic presidential election — all through probably the most tumultuous time in media since Chet Huntley and David Brinkley wished each other goodnight.

Many changes are about to take place at ABC News, as Charlie Gibson officially signs off as anchor of World News December 18.

If George Stephanopoulos gets Diane Sawyer‘s GMA gig, Nightline anchor Terry Moran could be the odds-on favorite at This Week.

The NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams won the 2008-2009 season – and was the only network newscast to gain viewers year-to-year.

The 2009-2010 season will see a big change, as Diane Sawyer assumes the anchor chair from Charlie Gibson on ABC’s World News. But after 13 seasons on top – will ABC or CBS be able to catch NBC?

In the sea of congratulatory quotes and jolly press releases about Diane Sawyer‘s ascendence to the World News throne, Daily Beast reporter Rebecca Dana‘s report that Charlie Gibson was “livid” that Sawyer was taking his anchor slot on ABC stood out. But was it accurate?

We know who will be the new anchor on ABC starting January 2010 – Diane Sawyer.

So what does her future competition think of the move? Mediaite has statements from CBS’ Katie Couric and NBC’s Brian Williams:

A major shake-up at ABC World News will take place beginning in 2010, as anchor Charlie Gibson will retire and Diane Sawyer will step in as his replacement. Sawyer, currently an anchor on ABC’s Good Morning America, regularly fills in on World News for Gibson.

Despite diminishing ratings from its heyday, the three evening news anchor spots are still prime real estate. And ABC is playing it up big online.

Remember when an anchor stepping down was a huge deal? Tom Brokaw. Dan Rather. Peter Jennings. These names were huge pillars of the news ecosystem, and their departures were big stories — as well as the fraught issue of who had the gravitas to step into their anchorly shoes.

Oh, how things have changed. Today, the news that Charlie Gibson is leaving ABC’s World News after only a few years in the top spot is definitely news, but is shaking no foundations. It’s also not at all surprising who is replacing him: Diane Sawyer. Well, except that she’s a woman.

The immediate reaction to Gov. Sarah Palin‘s unexpected announcement: mass confusion by the “media elites.” The timing was less a “news dump” and more a “screw you” to her mortal enemies in the fourth estate. This time, though, even the conservatives were confused: Charles Krauthammer called it “erratic,” Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey essentially wrote her political obituary.

Oh “gotcha” media, you just don’t understand how things are done in the “real world.”