For CBS News September 5 is all about change. A redesigned set, new music, new graphics and, of course, a new primetime anchor, Katie Couric.
According to Couric, the newscast promises to be markedly different from what's already on tap at ABC and NBC. That was her main message on Sunday to a ballroom full of television critics at the bi-annual TCA gathering in Pasadena.
"People are hungry and interested in the grey areas of reporting," Couric said. "They want us to go a little bit deeper. They want news stories with more historical content."
The former Today Show co-anchor acknowledged the challenges of delivering greater context given the newscast is only 22 minutes long. But she said that she and CBS producers have discussed producing stories that are longer than the standard 90 seconds or 30-second voiceover items.
The goal, Couric said is "to use the time and keep the basic elements [of a newscast intact] and to offer people fresh things.
"We're not trying to reinvent the wheel [but]...it's extremely liberating, the idea that we can try to mix it up."
Couric wouldn't give specifics on how the newscast will be "fresh" or differ under her direction, saying that the format is still under construction. But she promised that it would evolve throughout the fall. "We can take risks. Not all [ideas] will work."
She joked about some of her ideas. "I'm trying to convince Martha Stewart to do a cooking segment every night."
CBS News President Sean McManus announced numerous multimedia products that he hopes will expand the reach of the broadcast such as Web-only interviews by Couric, an online preview of the broadcast, and an interactive blog.
CBS may air daytime promos leading up to the newscast, in which Couric talks about developing stories or takes viewers into a news line-up meeting.
She deflected a question about what she intended to wear as anchor saying she was going to consult Charlie Gibson's stylist.
One thing she did confirm - her work hours. Couric will report for duty at 10 a.m. and wrap up by 7:30 p.m. depending on the news of the day.
"My kids are pleased. No more early bird specials," she laughed, referring to her pre-dawn breakfasts while at The Today Show.
