Smith Likely Out When CBS Revamps ‘Morning’

CBS News is planning a revamp of “CBS This Morning” that is likely to lead to the departure of co-anchor Harry Smith, network sources said Wednesday. The future of co-anchor Paula Zahn remains unclear.

“I’m operating under the assumption that I’m not part of what’s planned,” Smith said in an interview. “I haven’t been told anything definite--I don’t think the management has decided yet. But I’m already thinking about other assignments I would like to do.”

Both anchors are expected to be offered other posts at CBS if they are replaced. Smith, co-anchor of the 7-9 a.m. show since 1987, has been working without a contract since his expired recently. Zahn, who joined the broadcast in 1990, has two more years to go on her CBS pact.

“It looks like Harry’s gone,” said one CBS source, “but it’s less clear what will happen with Paula.”

Zahn said she hadn’t been told anything definitive. “I’ve been assured by [CBS News president] Andrew Heyward that if they do make changes in the co-anchors, I’ll have a prominent place at CBS News,” she said.

CBS executives will be overhauling the program’s format as well as its talent. The changes are expected to be announced soon, with implementation over the next several months.

The first hour of the show, sources said, will alternate between segments produced by CBS-affiliated stations and segments produced by the network. Alternating segments would give time back to the local stations and would differentiate the CBS newscast from NBC’s “Today” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

The program has been experimenting in recent months with broadcasting before a studio audience. That element will be discontinued.

Revamping “CBS This Morning” is a priority of Heyward, who took command of the news division two months ago. The program perennially lags behind its NBC and ABC rivals, which are huge money-makers for their networks.

Among the names that have been floated as possible new co-hosts are CBS News correspondent Russ Mitchell; Jane Robelot, the current news-reader on “CBS This Morning”; and “Dateline NBC” correspondent Elizabeth Vargas, who has been a substitute anchor on “Today.”

Smith said that he and his wife, sportscaster Andrea Joyce, would like to have an assignment in Moscow. “I’ve been the anchor on CBS’ morning show almost as long as Captain Kangaroo,” he added jokingly. “It would be interesting to try something new.”