Couric’s contract may bar CBS anchor job

Rumors are circulating that Katie Couric is being seriously considered to succeed Dan Rather (and Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow) at CBS’s anchor desk.  But the Tiffany Network will have its work cut out for it to get her.

Couric has 16 months left on her $15-million-a-year contract. Given that her Today show is probably NBC’s most profitable franchise—estimated at about $250 million a year in profits—sources say NBC is likely to put up a considerable battle to keep her.

Couric (left) signed a five-year-deal in 2001 that, with various incentives and syndication sales, may be worth as much as $100 million, making her the “richest personality in television news.”  Rather reportedly made $7 million, but then he was a perennial third-place ratings finisher.