CBS preps 'Early Show' replacement

RoseCBS' replacement for its low-rated "Early Show" will start Jan. 9, the net announced Tuesday. Chris Licht, who joined the news division from MSNBC, will exec produce the program, which will feature Gayle King, Erica Hill and Charlie Rose.The addition of Rose had been rumored for weeks, while the NY Times' Brian Stelter broke news of the Hill and King hirings Friday.Rose will continue his work at PBS in addition to contributing to the as-yet unnamed CBS program; King will leave her show at OWN but will continue to contribute to the net "as her schedule allows," according to a statement from the Discovery/Harpo joint venture. The plan, at the moment, is to put Rose and Hill at 7 a.m. and King at 8, but the schedule is still fluid.Licht will continue in his post as veep of programming for CBS News; among the show's correspondents will be John Miller, Rebecca Jarvis, and Jeff Glor. Licht said he wouldn't be looking to ape "Today" or "Good Morning America," which have become more similar over recent months and the demo gap between the two has narrowed. "We have a first-rate team in front of and behind the camera," he said. "Our goal is simple: build a broadcast with its own identity that gives viewers something truly different in the morning." Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com