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David Muir debuts as ABC ‘World News’ anchor, replacing Diane Sawyer

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David Muir made his debut as anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight” Monday evening, succeeding Diane Sawyer who signed off last week after five years on the job.

Muir’s unveiling, on a Labor Day evening when many viewers were still making their way home from the holiday weekend, was a decidedly low-key event.

“It is an honor to begin this journey with you,” he told viewers Monday before moving into reports on a Marine helicopter crash in the Gulf of Aden, severe late-summer weather and the first day of school. Later in the broadcast, he also acknowledged a congratulatory Tweet from Sawyer, saying, “Thank you friend, for everything.”

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At just 40, Muir, who was a frequent fill-in for Sawyer and will continue as co-anchor of the news magazine “20/20,” is now the youngest network news anchor in 50 years. He also steps into the job at a moment of strength for “World News Tonight,” which in recent months has repeatedly edged out overall ratings leader “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” among viewers 25 to 54, the age group favored by advertisers in the news.

But Muir’s ascension to the desk has been overshadowed somewhat by the unusual division of labor with his colleague, George Stephanopoulos.

Currently the moderator of the Sunday public affairs show “This Week” and co-host of the top-rated “Good Morning America,” Stephanopoulos was also named chief anchor for ABC News amid a reshuffling this June. In this new position, the 53-year-old former Democratic strategist will lead live coverage of breaking news and other major events.

Though she stepped down as anchor, the 68-year-old Sawyer will continue at the network, focusing her energies on special reports, events and interviews.

Sawyer’s swan song last week was similarly without fanfare. “I just want you to know what a deep privilege it has been to sit in the anchor chair these years... where Peter Jennings created a signature of such curiosity and courage,” she said in her final broadcast Wednesday.

Twitter: @MeredithBlake

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