Katie Couric Cashes in

Loveable television personality Katie Couric is on the verge of signing a whopping $20 million contract with ABC for her own talk show. The deal, which is almost finalized, would force the US station to cancel its long-running flagship soap opera “General Hospital.

According to various sources, the terms of the deal would require ABC to give the veteran news anchor a one-hour five-day-a-week syndicated talk show that is scheduled to air in September of 2012. In addition to her primetime spot, Katie Couric would also host specials for ABC News, “20/20” and other significant news programs on the station.

In essence, this mega-deal would propel Couric into a leading role for the Network; Couric would be the face of the ABC’s programming efforts.

The television network considered giving its affiliates the hour time-slot dedicated to “General Hospital” to make room for Couric; however, they decided to ultimately axe the second most popular daytime show and the media giant’s only remaining soap opera.

Couric’s contract, which will be shared with her partner Jeff Zucker, guarantees the television star over $20 million in cash for the syndicated show’s first year. In addition to this hefty sum, Couric will also receive a “competitive amount” for her work in the news division. Sources add that fellow ABC star and Couric’s former “Today” co-host, Matt Lauer, will not be a part of the new show.