Katie Couric Heading to ABC After She Announces Exit From CBS This Week?

Katie is expected to make her departure official — but where she will finally land remains a mystery!

Katie Couric will reportedly announce that she ‘s ending her five-year CBS run as the first woman to anchor a network-news show on her own — but the big surprise now is that she may be heading to a rival news operation!

Her contract with CBS ends June 4 and Katie, 54, had been rumored to be looking to move to her own syndicated daytime talk show, which would be launched to fill the vacuum left when Oprah Winfrey ends her longrunning program. But Bloomberg.com reports that ABC News is making a late run at Katie, who has had at least one lunch with ABC News President Ben Sherwood.

Word of ABC’s new pitch comes as The New York Times reports that Katie’s departure will become official this week. But Bloomberg says CBS still could make a deal to keep her as a correspondent for 60 Minutes — and as a syndicated host.

Katie made history in 2006 when she left NBC’s Today Show to take over the CBS anchor desk as the permanent replacement for Dan Rather. Her ratings were strong at the start but she faded to third place in the nightly battle, behind Brian Williams on NBC and Diane Sawyer on ABC.

Now, with Oprah’s daytime program — syndicated by CBS — winding down as the Oprah Winfrey Network hits cable, Katie could fill the gap.

Scott Pelley, a 60 Minutes reporter, is set to take over Katie’s anchor spot, sources say.

Do you want to see Katie in the daytime? Take our poll and let us know, HollywoodLifers!

GET MORE ON KATIE COURIC:

1. Will Matt Lauer Join Katie Couric In A New Show?
2. Things You Don’t Know About Katie!
3. Katie: You’re Wrong To Slam The ‘Glee’ Girls For Their Sexy ‘GQ’ Photos!