Speaking with People.com, Couric said, "I'm really proud of the talented team on the CBS Evening News and the award-winning work we've been able to do in the past five years."
Couric's announcement follows months of rumors that her departure from the network was imminent. She has not specified a timetable for her departure or her future plans, only remarking that she is "looking at a format that will allow me to engage in more multi-dimensional storytelling."
Variety and The New York Times report that Couric is planning to launch a syndicated daytime program in early 2012. All three major networks -- NBC, ABC and CBS -- have reportedly expressed interest in the program.
Bill Carter from The New York Times quotes a representative of Couric as saying, "ABC is a contender."
Frankly, we find it interesting that Couric made the decision to announce the news to People.com rather than a more business-oriented media channel. If her future focus is indeed on more mainstream, daytime programming, that decision certainly makes sense.