Diane Sawyer is stepping down as anchor of ABC's "World News" but will stay with ABC, the network announced on Wednesday. She'll be replaced by David Muir on Sept. 2.
Sawyer, who has been anchor of "World News" since late 2009, will work on specials and events, appearing across all ABC News platforms.
"I want to acknowledge and celebrate Diane in particular for leading our division to great heights, especially and most recently at World News. Over the years, we have held many far-reaching conversations about work and life, and I know this new role is exactly how she wants to focus her remarkable energy and talent. And I'm excited to watch her elevate all of our programs and platforms with her new ideas, dynamic team, and her signature reporting, interviewing and storytelling," Disney/ABC Co-President Ben Sherwood said in a note to staff.
Muir, who has often substitute-anchored for Sawyer, will also continue his work on "20/20."
With Sawyer's role changing, the network announced that George Stephanopoulos will take on a new role with the network as chief anchor, taking the lead on special events and breaking news, in addition to his duties with "Good Morning America" and "This Week." Traditionally, the evening news anchor of a network would take on breaking news events, a role Sawyer and Stephanopoulos shared.
"In this position, George will be our lead anchor for major special events and breaking news at ABC, driving our live network coverage for the biggest stories," ABC News president James Goldston said in a memo. "From the retirement of Pope Benedict to the manhunt for the Boston bomber, George skillfully navigates uncertain and unfolding situations while synthesizing the latest reporting for our viewers. George is adept at balancing both complex global and public policy questions and deeply personal stories in interviews with numerous luminaries from Vladimir Putin to Angelina Jolie."
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