Charlie Gibson Retiring Is Top News Story, According to ABCNews.com

A major shake-up for 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.

The news was first reported by TVNewser, but has been getting major play on another site – ABCNews.com.

ABC’s story about the news is currently the top story on the site:

ABC has also published the full emails from Gibson and ABC News President David Westin this morning. Here’s a part of Gibson’s:

It had been my intention to step down from my job at Good Morning America in 2007 but with Peter’s illness, Bob’s injuries, and Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the job at World News came open in May of 2006, and David asked me to step in as anchor. It was an honor to do so. The program is now operating at a very accelerated, but steady, cruising speed, and I think it is an opportune time for a transition – both for the broadcast and for me. Life is dynamic; it is not static.

I have told David I would like to continue in some capacity contributing occasionally to ABC News. He has been receptive to the idea – and we will be discussing what that role might be.

• Rachel Sklar on what appointing a woman to the seat means.