Katie Couric is leaving her Yahoo anchor role just weeks into Oath's reign (VZ)

pulse

July 28, 2017 10:50 PM

The superstar journalist was supposed to save Yahoo from demise, but then it got bought by Verizon.

Katie Couric is leaving Yahoo News after four years as global news anchor, the company confirmed to Business Insider following a report by Recode.

This brings some of Couric's digital programs to an end, but leaves others such as "Cities Rising" and "Now I Get It," which will continue on Yahoo News. Couric will continue to work with Oath — Yahoo's recently established parent company — on select projects.

"Over the last four years, Katie has created a vast portfolio of work that has been equal parts inspiring, thought-provoking and fun to watch,” an Oath spokesperson said in a statement. “We're proud of everything she has accomplished and look forward to exploring ways to work together in the future."

Couric's departure comes just three months after Verizon bought Yahoo and combined it with AOL to form the mega media company Oath. Oath officially launched on June 19.

Around 2,000 people from Yahoo and AOL — including many people from of the Yahoo News staff — were laid off in June as part of the transition. Couric's executive producer

larger plan to double down on video content and high-quality media offerings. But the strategy never lived up to its promise.

Recode reports that while Couric was able to swing high-profile interviews, she struggled with her placement on the Yahoo homepage.

Metrics-wise, Couric appeared to be doing OK. Recode cites stats from Oath, which claim that Couric and her team saw nearly 1 billion video views over their tenure, and produced around 60 videos a week. It was also reported in October that Couric guaranteed almost 2.5 million views to Hillary Clinton's team when she requested an interview with the former Democratic presidential candidate in early 2016.

Couric reportedly garnered a $10 million annual contract when she first signed with Yahoo.

pulse

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng