CBS - SCHIEFFER WON'T RETIRE AFTER ALL

CBS News President Sean McManus has apparently persuaded Bob Schieffer to put his retirement plans on indefinite hold. Schieffer had originally said that he planned to retire after the presidential inauguration in January. Then he said he would continue to host Face the Nation but "reduce my schedule a little bit." Today (Monday) the Washington Post reported that Schieffer had signed a new long-term deal with the network. The newspaper said that with Katie Couric's future as host of the CBS Evening News in doubt, McManus wants Schieffer to be ready to fill in for her as an interim anchor. Schieffer has played that role before, following Dan Rather's departure from the program. In fact, he boosted the ratings of the program during his brief tenure. They have since plummeted following Couric's arrival.

19/05/2008