JUST as Katie Couric was reportedly eyeing his juicy primetime job, Larry King has signed a contract extension with CNN that could keep him on the air through 2010.
It will add only one more year to his $28-million deal with CNN, but the timing of the signing is most telling.
According to reports last week, Couric was exploring the idea of a move to King’s spot if she decided to step down as anchor of the “Evening News” early next year.
CNN denied it was even considering replacing King – but his contract had been set to expire in summer 2009, just as Couric would become available.
Now, King will be on the job for at least another two years – when he will be 77 – according to the Web site TVNewser.com, which first broke the news late yesterday.
CNN declined to comment on the report.
CBS is now trying to throw cold water on the reports that Couric is preparing to leave.