Charles Gibson Named Sole Anchor of 'World News Tonight'

May 23, 2006 — -- ABC News has named Charles Gibson to be sole anchor of "World News Tonight."

"Charlie Gibson is one of the most distinguished journalists on television. He is a superb broadcaster, the consummate professional, and a very familiar presence to the audience and everyone at 'World News Tonight,'" said ABC News President David Westin, who announced the decision today.

Gibson's new assignment will take effect on May 29. He will continue as a co-anchor of "Good Morning America" until June 30.

"I am humbled to accept this new assignment. I have witnessed firsthand the grace and determination of every member of the staff of 'World News Tonight.' I look forward to joining this extraordinary team and to helping the broadcast start a new chapter," Gibson said.

The announcement comes after a week of strong ratings for "World News Tonight." The broadcast averaged 7.71 million viewers, outperforming CBS' "Evening News" by 510,000 total viewers and 470,000 adults in the key 25-to-54 demographic last week.

Following the death of "World News Tonight" anchor Peter Jennings in August 2005, Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff were named co-anchors of the broadcast in December 2005.

Vargas said today she had chosen to step down to take maternity leave and later return to co-anchor "20/20" and ABC News specials.

"Going forward Elizabeth Vargas has asked that we limit her responsibilities to anchoring '20/20' and special primetime hours," Westin said. "From the moment Peter became ill, no person in this organization has stepped up more than Elizabeth. I have nothing but respect, gratitude and admiration for the work she has done on our behalf oftentimes under enormously stressful conditions. Elizabeth is absolutely vital to the success and future of ABC News."

Vargas said she had made the decision after consulting with her doctors.

"David and I have been talking for some time about what would happen as my maternity leave approaches," Vargas said. "My doctors have asked that I cut back my schedule considerably. What works best for me and my family is to return in the fall to '20/20' as I raise my new baby and young son."