NEW YORK (AP) — Rene Syler, a member of the four-person anchor team on CBS’ perennially ratings-challenged morning news show, will leave the programme shortly before Christmas, the network said this week.The network said Syler (pictured) is leaving “The Early Show” to pursue other media opportunities. Her first book, “Good Enough Mother”, is being published next year.

CBS has tried many different personalities and styles over decades in the morning, but has always remained third in the ratings behind NBC’s “Today” show and ABC’s “Good Morning America”. Since 2002, Syler has anchored the programme along with Julie Chen, Harry Smith and Hannah Storm in CBS’ attempt to try something different than the traditional two-anchor format. Earlier this year, the network hired veteran morning-show producer Steve Friedman, who wasn’t involved in creating that format, and gave him a mandate to make the programme more competitive. CBS said it has no immediate plans to replace Syler. Her final broadcast will be on December 22.