CBS News is overhauling the on-air team of *The Early Show* in an effort to improve its position in the morning television ratings. Starting January 3, Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, who have co-anchored the Saturday edition since 2008, will replace weekday hosts Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez. Marysol Castro, formerly of ABC’s weekend *Good Morning America*, will replace weather forecaster Dave Price, while Jeff Glor will join as the regular newsreader.

The changes come as *The Early Show* remains in third place behind NBC’s *Today* and ABC’s *Good Morning America*. In the week before Thanksgiving, *Today* averaged 5.6 million viewers, *Good Morning America* drew 4.6 million, and *The Early Show* had 2.9 million. CBS News President Sean McManus said he did not expect immediate ratings gains, but believed the new team’s chemistry would help the show grow. Executive producer David Friedman also pointed to the team’s energy and familiarity with viewers.

Smith, who had spent 17 of the previous 25 years hosting CBS morning programs, said he was grateful for the opportunities and wished his successors well. He will remain at CBS as a news reporter and primary substitute anchor for *CBS Evening News*, *Face the Nation* and *Sunday Morning*. CBS was still discussing future roles for Rodriguez and Price.

The sudden overhaul surprised television critic David Bianculli, who said the existing lineup had not been working but described the sweeping changes as a sign of desperation.

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