TV & VIDEO - Feb. 1, 1989

Diane Sawyer was said to be busy at work at CBS’ “60 Minutes” Tuesday and unavailable to comment on reports that she may jump networks and start life anew on ABC with Sam Donaldson on a new prime-time news series. Sawyer, who has been with CBS since 1978 and is paid $1.2 million annually, reportedly was wooed at Christmastime by ABC News President Roone Arledge to co-anchor a program with the working title of “Prime Time Hour.” Sawyer initially said no, but ABC’s ardor hasn’t been daunted, a source says. CBS, meantime, reportedly has been talking with Sawyer about anchoring a revival of “Person to Person” or something else. Her current pact would let her leave CBS if the network doesn’t give her anchor duty on a prime-time series.