But the fact that CBS is even considering Lauer and Russert, two of broadcast journalism's biggest stars, is a sign of CBS chairman Leslie Moonves' determination to dramatically overhaul CBS News in the wake of Rather's departure, reports Senior Writer Johnnie L. Roberts in the Dec. 6 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, Nov. 29).

According to the Viacom sources, the lagging ratings for "CBS Evening News" and the embarrassment of the "60 Minutes II" report about President Bush's Vietnam-era service in the National Guard (which Rather later acknowledged was based on forged documents) has presented Moonves, who is also a Viacom co-president, with the opportunity to revamp the news operations, Roberts reports.

CBS News has languished in third place for years. Until recently, the corporate bosses held off attempting to renovate CBS News, according to high-ranking Viacom sources. "They considered it sacred territory," says one source, adding that they had feared major changes would generate a backlash at CBS News and lead to the kind of unwanted headlines generated by their efforts to persuade Don Hewitt to relinquish control of "60 Minutes."

Roberts reports that the overhaul won't necessarily stop with naming new on-air personalities or off-camera producers, according to the Viacom sources.

Andrew Heyward, CBS News president, will come under renewed scrutiny and may be asked to resign, the Viacom sources say. "We don't comment on rumor and speculation," said Gil Schwartz, a CBS spokesman.

Editor's note: