Unless you've been living under a brick, you know that Katie Couric has left her famous position at NBC's morning Today show to host rival network CBS's Evening News program, beginning on September 5. They're clearly trying to breathe some youth into the program, which has most recently been hosted by a 70-something Dan Rather and the ancient relic known as Bob Schieffer.

In the first move of its kind for a network news show, from the very first day that Couric takes the anchor chair, the Evening News will be simulcast on CBS.com, and after airing will be available on demand for free. Upon being available in on demand format, you'll also be able to select individual clips or reports from the program. Also with this announcement came news that CBS News will finally enter iTunes with its own original video content, which will be exclusive to the iTunes store. With the Internet being blamed partially for the decrease in viewership of network newscasts, this move shows that CBS is trying to turn the 'net into a bridge between its TV and online content, rather than a barrier.

CBS announced just a little over a month ago plans for an on-demand video service that lets you create your own CBS News DVDs, and now they're finally also entering the instant download on-demand video market. If anyone can bring the networks up from their evening news slump, it's Katie Couric. Though I must admit, I'm disappointed that with the more serious news she's bound to cover, we'll hardly ever get to see those trademark dimples of hers.

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Report Published by: Mark Raby