Posted by Bud on January 06, 2010 at 13:00:30:
Morgan Freeman Replaces The Late Cronkite�s Voice Introducing �CBS Evening News�
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --
Nearly six months after Walter Cronkite�s death, his voice is leaving the �CBS Evening News.�
His introduction of anchor Katie Couric was replaced Monday by a voiceover featuring actor Morgan Freeman.
The legendary CBS News anchor recorded the introduction, played at the beginning of most newscasts, when Couric started at CBS in 2006. Cronkite�s voice was kept on the air even after his death July 17.
�As comforting as it is to look back on the great career that Walter had, we�re looking forward now and we just felt it was the right time to make the move that at some point had to be made,� said CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus. �This seemed like the appropriate time since Walter�s passing to make the move.�
Having Freeman on board gives CBS the flexibility to record different intros when Couric has special reports and is on location, he said.
CBS has replaced Cronkite with a generic voice over the past few months when it wanted to highlight something special.
The change also gives the network more consistency, McManus said.
(AP)