Katie Couric isn't going anywhere. That's what CBS Corp. chief executive Leslie Moonves told the staff of the "CBS Evening News" during a surprise visit to the newscast's regular Friday midday meeting in New York City.

Accompanied by CBS president Sean McManus, Moonves expressed his support for Couric, who has been dogged by reports that she is contemplating exiting her post because of the newscast's low ratings.

Executives hoped the upbeat pep talk would rally spirits internally and put to rest questions about Couric's status. The question of whether the anchor will leave the broadcast will not be discussed until after the November election, at the earliest, network sources said.

Rick Kaplan, executive producer of the broadcast, said Moonves and McManus made it "exquisitely clear" that they are proud of the broadcast and have no plans to make a change.

"There was no ambiguity in what they said," Kaplan said in an interview. "All of these stories are overwritten and overblown."

According to several people who attended the meeting, Moonves told the staff that Couric is "your anchor" now and in the future. Couric thanked him for the show of support and called the news division "very much a family."

(Matea Gold, Los Angeles Times)

A CNN reporter was arrested Friday in Central Park with a small amount of methamphetamine in his pocket, but he avoided jail time by agreeing to undergo drug counseling and therapy.

Richard Quest, 46, was arrested around 3:40 a.m. on a count of possession of a controlled substance -- a misdemeanor that usually refers to a personal-use amount of a drug. He also was charged with loitering; the park officially closes at 1 a.m.

When police saw and detained Quest, he told them, "I've got some meth in my pocket," according to the complaint filed in court. The complaint said he had a plastic sandwich bag containing methamphetamine in a jacket pocket.

Quest, who is British, is a correspondent for CNN International and is known for his reports on business travel. He hosts "CNN Business Traveler" and "Quest."

At his arraignment in Manhattan's Criminal Court, Judge Anthony Ferrara told Quest that if he attends the counseling and therapy designated by prosecutors for the next six months, his case will dismissed.

The judge allowed Quest to leave court without posting bail. He warned that if Quest failed to comply with the counseling schedule, he could be back in court and on his way to jail. CNN had no immediate comment on Quest's arrest.

(AP)

Viacom Inc. and five Hollywood studios are joining forces to create a cable channel and video-on-demand service.

The companies said Sunday that the new venture will combine movies and television series from Paramount, Paramount Vantage, MGM, United Artists and Lionsgate, starting in fall 2009.

It also will have access during the pay-per-view television window to recent movie releases from the studios, including "Iron Man," "Star Trek" and "Love Guru." Movies from the studios' archives and new TV series created by the studios also will be featured.

Viacom will provide marketing and other operational support through its MTV Networks division.

(AP)

Beginning this week, "30 Rock" and "Scrubs" will switch time periods in NBC's Thursday night lineup. "30 Rock" rolls to 9:30 with "Scrubs" at 8:30.

(Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor)

WQED-FM (89.3) is revamping its weekend schedule, starting May 10.

Saturday afternoon opera programming will have Metropolitan Opera broadcasts from December to May, then makes way for a program combining Pittsburgh Opera broadcasts and recordings of great operas from May through November.

"Sunday Baroque With Suzanne Bona" will air from 7 to 10 a.m., replacing "The Baroque Show With Charles Andrews."

Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. there will be syndicated blocks of classical music with hosts Gillian Martin, Mindy Ratner and Bob Christianson. "Pittsburgh Symphony With Jim Cunningham" moves from Sunday afternoon to 8 p.m.

The station is dropping "Sacred Classics" and "Modern Masterpieces," which are no longer offered in syndication.

(Adrian McCoy, Post-Gazette multimedia writer)

• WDUQ-FM (90.5) will carry a mix of local and national primary coverage throughout the day today.

"Jazz With Tony Mowod" will be pre-empted for the evening. In its place, the station will air a special edition of NPR's "All Things Considered" from 7 to 8 p.m. After the polls close at 8 p.m., coverage will continue with a focus on state primary election results, along with local updates from WDUQ.

• WYEP-FM (91.3) is marking Earth Day today with environmentally themed information and music.

Along with the weekly environmental affairs program "The Allegheny Front," the station will air information on Earth Day events throughout the region and tips on improving the environment.

Starting at 2 p.m. and throughout today's "Afternoon Mix," host Rosemary Welsch will play music inspired by nature.

(A.M.)