
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 28: Diane Sawyer (C) attends the 12th annual Sesame Workshop Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 28, 2014 in New York City. Robin Marchant/Getty Images
NEW YORK (AP) -- ABC says Diane Sawyer is stepping down as its evening news anchor, to be replaced by David Muir.
The network said Sawyer will concentrate on interviews and specials. During her tenure, ABC's "World News" was a steady second to Brian Williams at NBC, although the ABC broadcast has made gains among younger viewers.
In this March 24, 2012 photo, Diane Sawyer attends Aretha Franklin's seventieth birthday party in New York. Sawyer is stepping down as its evening news anchor, to be replaced by David Muir. The network said Sawyer will concentrate on interviews and specials. During her tenure, ABC’s “World News” was a steady second to Brian Williams at NBC, although the ABC broadcast has made gains among younger viewers. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Muir is familiar to "World News" viewers as a substitute for Sawyer and has traveled around the country for his "Made in America" series.
ABC said George Stephanopoulos will take on a new role as chief anchor for live news events.