Tag: charles gibson retiring

Charles Gibson Last Day on World News Announced

News anchor Charles Gibson announced he would be retiring from ABC’s  World News back in September. Now it looks like his official last day as anchor of World News with Charles Gibson will be on Friday, Dec. 18.

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Diane Sawyer has been tapped to replace Gibson as anchor of the ABC evening newscast and is expected to take over the reins on the following Monday.

Jon Banner, executive producer of World News, said in a memo the show would “spend a good deal of time during his final week on the air looking back at the stories Charlie covered, hearing again from some of the remarkable people he interviewed and paying tribute to our friend and colleague and the enormous contribution he has made to ABC News over the last three decades.”

“It’s that time of year in this great country of ours when we give thanks for family and friends and focus on the things that matter most to us. It’s no different here in the newsroom, where we are preparing to see our very good friend and anchor off as he begins a new journey,” Banner wrote in a blog post on ABCNews.com.

“We’ve known this day was coming; Charlie first told us of his desire to retire in early September. As he said then, it’s the right time for him and his amazing family.”

>> Previously:  Diane Sawyer to Replace Charles Gibson on ABC’s World News

Diane Sawyer to Replace Charles Gibson on ABC’s World News

Diane Sawyer will replace Charles Gibson as lead anchor on ABC’s World News Tonight next January, Gibson announced on Wednesday. Charles Gibson, 66,  announced via a staff email this morning he would be retiring from ABC’s World News Tonight at the end of the year.

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“I have always been taught you should never bury the lead – so I write to tell you that I have told David Westin I want to step down as anchor of World News, and retire from full time employment at ABC News,” Gibson wrote in the email, which shortly found its way to the media.

“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,” Gibson continued. “I have asked Diane Sawyer to serve as the next anchor of World News, and she will assume that position in January.”

Diane Sawyer currently anchors for ABC’s Good Morning America. Charles Gibson has worked at ABC for 35 years and has served as the ABC World News Tonight anchor since May of 2006. Gibson stated he hopes to continue working with ABC News as a contributor.