Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Katie Couric

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Katie Couric

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Katie Couric made an impact.

Katie Couric is a prominent American journalist, presenter, and media entrepreneur. She founded Katie Couric Media and publishes the newsletter Wake Up Call. She served as Yahoo's Global News Anchor and has hosted television programs on all three major US networks: NBC, CBS, and ABC. A trailblazer, Couric was the first solo female anchor of a major network evening news program (CBS Evening News). In 2021, she made history as the first woman to host the flagship American version of Jeopardy!.

1979: First Job at ABC News

In 1979, Katie Couric started her first job at the ABC News bureau in Washington, D.C.

1984: Joins WTVJ in Miami

In 1984, Katie Couric joined WTVJ, the then-CBS affiliate in Miami, Florida, as a general-assignment reporter.

1986: Reports for WRC-TV

In 1986, Katie Couric reported for WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., earning an Associated Press award and an Emmy.

1989: Deputy Pentagon Correspondent at NBC

In 1989, Katie Couric became the Deputy Pentagon Correspondent at NBC News.

1989: Joins Today as Political Correspondent

In 1989, Katie Couric became the national political correspondent for Today.

1989: Joins NBC News

In 1989, Katie Couric began her career with NBC News, marking a career milestone.

1989: Fills in on NBC Nightly News

In 1989, Katie Couric began occasionally filling in for Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News.

February 1991: Substitute Co-Host on Today

In February 1991, Katie Couric became a substitute co-host on Today while Deborah Norville was on maternity leave.

April 5, 1991: Permanent Co-Anchor on Today

On April 5, 1991, Katie Couric became the permanent co-anchor of Today.

1991: Anchor Substitute

From 1989 to 1991, Katie Couric served as an anchor substitute for various NBC News programs.

1991: Hosts Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

In 1991, Katie Couric began hosting the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a role she continued for 14 years.

1993: Fills in on Weekend Edition of NBC Nightly News

From 1989 to 1993, Katie Couric also filled in on the Weekend Edition of NBC Nightly News.

1994: Co-Anchor of "Now"

In 1994, Katie Couric became co-anchor of "Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric", a weekly TV newsmagazine.

June 17, 1997: Questions Bob Woodward about Clinton Scandal

On June 17, 1997, Katie Couric questioned Bob Woodward of the Washington Post about media obsession with the Clinton 'Chinagate' scandal.

2000: Broadcasts Summer Olympics

In 2000, Katie Couric began broadcasting the Olympic Games with Bob Costas, starting with the Summer Olympics.

October 7, 2005: Broadcasted mammogram on Today show

On October 7, 2005, Katie Couric broadcast her own mammogram on the Today show to promote breast cancer awareness.

2005: Last Year Hosting Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

2005 was Katie Couric's last year as host of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, after hosting for 14 years.

April 5, 2006: Announces Departure from Today

On April 5, 2006, Katie Couric announced that she would be leaving Today.

May 31, 2006: Leaves Today and NBC News

On May 31, 2006, Katie Couric announced her departure from Today and NBC News to anchor the CBS Evening News.

September 5, 2006: First Broadcast as CBS Anchor

On September 5, 2006, Katie Couric made her first broadcast as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News.

2006: Leads coverage of the 2006 midterm elections

In 2006, Katie Couric led CBS News' coverage of the 2006 midterm elections.

2006: Joins CBS News

In 2006, Katie Couric transitioned to CBS News, marking a career milestone.

May 28, 2008: Returns to Today

On May 28, 2008, Katie Couric made a return visit to Today to promote Stand Up to Cancer alongside Brian Williams and Charles Gibson.

2008: CBS News's official projection for the 2008 United States Presidential Election

In 2008, Couric announced CBS News's official projection for the 2008 United States Presidential Election.

2008: Leads coverage of the 2008 Presidential election

In 2008, Katie Couric led CBS News' coverage of the 2008 Presidential election and conventions.

2008: Sarah Palin Interviews

In 2008, Katie Couric taped a series of interviews with Sarah Palin, and later received the Walter Cronkite Award for Journalism Excellence for them.

2008: Edward R. Murrow Award

In 2008, The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric won the Edward R. Murrow Award for best newscast.

December 21, 2009: Sawyer Succeeds Gibson

On December 21, 2009, Diane Sawyer succeeded Charles Gibson for ABC World News, becoming the only other solo female evening news anchor in the United States at that time.

2009: Wins Emmy Governor's Award

In 2009, Katie Couric was awarded the Emmy Governor's Award for her broadcasting career.

May 16, 2010: Received honorary degree from Case Western Reserve University

On May 16, 2010, Katie Couric received an honorary doctor of science degree from Case Western Reserve University for her efforts in raising awareness of colorectal cancer and for her commitment to advancing medical research and later gave the university's 2010 convocation keynote address.

2010: Leads coverage of the 2010 midterm elections

In 2010, Katie Couric led CBS News' coverage of the 2010 midterm elections.

2010: "CBS Reports: Where America Stands"

In early 2010, Katie Couric aired "CBS Reports: Where America Stands", featuring CBS News correspondents reporting on major issues facing the United States.

April 2011: Leads coverage from London for Royal Wedding

In April 2011, Katie Couric led CBS News' coverage from London for the Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton.

May 19, 2011: Final Broadcast in CBS Evening News Chair

On Thursday, May 19, 2011, Katie Couric made her final broadcast in the CBS Evening News chair.

June 6, 2011: Signs Contract with ABC

On June 6, 2011, ABC announced that Katie Couric had signed a US$40-million contract to host a daytime talk show.

August 22, 2011: Talk Show Name Announced

On August 22, 2011, it was announced that Katie Couric's talk show would be called Katie.

November 2011: Hosts Philbin Retirement Special

In November 2011, Katie Couric hosted a special primetime ABC news program highlighting Regis Philbin's retirement.

2011: Creates "The Year with Katie Couric"

In 2011, Katie Couric created her newly annual special, "The Year with Katie Couric", a year-end program covering major newsmakers and events.

2011: Joins ABC News

In 2011, Katie Couric joined ABC News, marking a career milestone.

2011: Publishes Book

In 2011, Katie Couric's book, "The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives", became a New York Times bestseller.

September 10, 2012: "Katie" First Episode Aired

On September 10, 2012, the first episode of Katie Couric's talk show "Katie" aired.

September 2012: Hosts Katie Talk Show

In September 2012, Katie Couric began hosting "Katie", a syndicated daytime talk show produced by Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

September 2012: "Katie" Talk Show Debut

In September 2012, Katie Couric's daytime talk show, "Katie", debuted.

2012: Substitutes on Good Morning America

From April 2 to 6, 2012, Katie Couric substituted for co-anchor Robin Roberts on ABC's Good Morning America.

October 2013: Reports of Cancellation

In October 2013, The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Katie Couric's talk show, Katie, was close to cancellation due to low ratings and audience disdain.

December 2013: "Katie" Canceled

In December 2013, Disney-ABC Domestic Television announced that Katie Couric's talk show, "Katie", had been canceled.

2013: Special Correspondent for ABC News

From 2011 to 2013, Couric was a special correspondent for ABC News, a role she has incorporated into her talk show.

2013: Joins Yahoo

In 2013, Katie Couric became Yahoo's Global News Anchor, marking a career milestone.

January 13, 2014: Debut as Global Anchor of Yahoo! News

On January 13, 2014, Katie Couric debuted as Global Anchor of Yahoo! News, interviewing former United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

June 12, 2014: "Katie" Last Show Taped

On June 12, 2014, the last show of Katie Couric's talk show, "Katie", was taped.

June 2014: "Katie" Talk Show Ends

In June 2014, Katie Couric's syndicated daytime talk show, "Katie", concluded its run.

July 30, 2014: "Katie" Series Finale Aired

On July 30, 2014, the series finale of Katie Couric's talk show, "Katie", aired.

January 2017: Co-hosts Today for Anniversary

In January 2017, Katie Couric returned for a week-long stint as co-host of Today to mark Matt Lauer's 20th anniversary as anchor of the program.

2017: Leaves Yahoo

In 2017, Katie Couric ended her role as Yahoo's Global News Anchor.

2021: Guest Hosts Jeopardy!

In 2021, Katie Couric appeared as a guest host for the game show Jeopardy!, making her the first woman to host the flagship American version of the show.