"Early Show" anchors Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez are out of the low-rated morning show and will be replaced effective Jan. 3 by the Saturday "Early" team of Erica Hill and Chris Wragge, the network announced Tuesday.
Morning news has long been a rare weak spot in CBS' lineup, and the overhaul is the show's most dramatic attempt to claim more of the morning audience from ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's leading "Today," which draws nearly twice the "Early"audience.
Smith joined the show in 2002, as did weather anchor Dave Price, who will be replaced by Marysol Castro.
CBS News said the ousted team would continue in prominent roles.