ABC News has officially named Charles Gibson as the new anchor for 'World News Tonight.' He will replace Elizabeth Vargas. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Vargas is pregnant and expected to go on maternity leave this summer. ABC said she will return in the fall and become a co-anchor of the news magazine '20/20.'
Gibson will begin his new role on Monday. He will continue on 'Good Morning America' until June and then concentrate solely on the evening newscast.
Meanwhile, ABC has yet to name a replacement for Gibson at 'Good Morning America' and insiders say that Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts will continue as co-anchors.
'World News Tonight' has fallen to third place in the ratings behind CBS and NBC since the death of former anchorman Peter Jennings. Vargas and Bob Woodruff were to co-anchor the broadcast but Woodruff was seriously injured while reporting in Iraq.
According to published reports, ABC News President David Westin had asked Gibson to take the job first but Gibson was reluctant to leave 'Good Morning America.'
Vargas said that her doctors recommended that she cut back her schedule at this point in her pregnancy. 'I have loved every day I spent at `World News Tonight' and have endless respect for my colleagues there,' she said. 'This broadcast needs someone who can give 150 percent, day in and day out. I am not in a position to give that right now and it wouldn't be fair to do any less.'
Woodruff, still recovering from his injuries, released a statement wishing Gibson well, saying, 'I look forward to contributing to his broadcast as soon as I am able.'
Gibson will be challenging Katie Couric who takes over this fall on the 'CBS Evening News.'
