Diane Sawyer Ends Five Years at ABC's World News; Sawyer Will Shift to Major Investigations and Specials; Will Diane Sawyer Be the New Barbara Walters?

Will Diane Sawyer Be the New Barbara Walters? Diane Sawyer will be leaving ABC's "World News." Diane Sawyer, after leading ABC's 'World News' to new heights for the past five years, steps down as anchor.

According to Variety, Diane Sawyer will step down as lead anchor on ABC's "World News" and take on enterprise projects. Sawyer, 68, will end her five-year run as the anchor of "World News" at the end of August. David Muir will take the helm of the nightly news program as Sawyer shifts focus to major investigations, prime-time specials and marquee interviews. David Muir now co-hosts "20/20."

Sawyer's anchor duties will be split by George Stephanopoulos and David Muir. They will take on the lead anchor responsibilities for all special reports and breaking news.

Beginning on September 2, they will ascend to anchor and managing editor of "World News." Splitting the anchoring duties is unorthodox for network news. Usually the networks use a single anchor to deliver the top news. Muir will continue to anchor primetime newsmagazine "20/20″ with Elizabeth Vargas.

Former ABC News chief Ben Sherwood sent a memo to staffer saying the move comes because Sawyer wants to get away from covering daily headlines and focus more of her time on original reporting. Ben Sherwood will be taking on the role of overseer of Disney's non-sports TV assets.

In a statement from said ABC News President James Goldston, we learned that Sawyer approached Sherwood at the end of 2013.

"World News" has been scoring well against NBC's "Nightly News" in the Nielsen ratings.ABC News chief James Goldston said The network's ratings are at a five-year high thanks to Sawyer. Goldston said Muir, "will play a key role in covering the biggest breaking news events as they happen." Goldston said Stephanopoulos will lead ABC News' election coverage, starting in the fall when he will cover mid-term elections.

Muir was expected to be named the eventual successor to Diane Sawyer on "World News." In the past few months he has anchored many breaking-news special reports.
Former White House press secretary George Stephanopoulos one of the lead anchors of "Good Morning America," and also hosts "This Week," ABC's Sunday public-affairs program.