Entertainment

Katie Couric to sign $20M ABC deal

Katie Couric is on the verge of signing a $20 million contract with ABC television for her own talk show, which could come at the expense of long-running soap opera “General Hospital.”

The deal, which is in its final stages, could see the US network cancel its flagship soap opera to make room in its schedule for the show, according to TMZ sources.

Under the terms of the deal, ABC would give the veteran anchor a one-hour, five-day-a-week syndicated talk show that would begin in September 2012.

She would also do specials for ABC News, “20/20” and a significant amount of fill-in work — including anchoring.

ABC was considering giving its affiliates back the hour when “General Hospital” airs to make room for Couric, in effect axing the second most popular show in daytime programming and the network’s only remaining soap opera.

The entire package for Couric and her partner, Jeff Zucker, is a $20 million guarantee for the syndicated show for its first year. Couric would also get a “nominal amount” for her work in the news division.

Matt Lauer, Couric’s former “Today” co-host, would not be a part of the show.