ABC/ Ida Mae AstuteWe knew Diane Sawyer was on her way in. We just didn't know exactly when Charles Gibson was going to head out.
The veteran newsman, who has anchored ABC's World News since May 29, 2006, announced that his last broadcast will be Friday, Dec. 18.
Sawyer, his former Good Morning America cohost, will take over the following Monday.
"We're going to spend a good deal of time during his final week on the air looking back at the stories Charlie covered, hearing again from some of the remarkable people he interviewed, and paying tribute to our friend and colleague, and the enormous contribution he has made to ABC News over the last three decades," World News executive producer Jon Banner said in a statement.
Once Sawyer has ascended, two out of the three major network newscasts will be anchored by women for the first time.
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Oprah's signing off, too, albeit not for a long time. But there's no time like the present to wax nostalgic with our Oprah's Memorable Moments gallery.