Katie Couric "so happy" for free time after CBS

Katie Couric has declared that she is "so happy" to have more free time with her children now that she has departed as anchor of the CBS Evening News.

The journalist signed off CBS after five years helming the network's nightly news telecast on May 19, thanking viewers for joining her on an "incredible journey".

The major benefit of leaving the post has been that Couric now has "the free time to spend with [her] daughters", she told People.

Couric also joked that the only drawback of leaving CBS is that she now feels an increased responsibility to prepare dinner for her daughters Ellie and Carrie each night.

"I am going to have to start cooking now, and that is the downside… Lots of fresh produce and healthy foods will be on the menu," the anchor teased.

A rumoured new syndicated talkshow deal with ABC is chief among her future career prospects, but Couric insisted that she will take time to properly weigh up her options before making any commitments.

"I am lucky I have the luxury of being able to do that and not feeling rushed," she noted.

Couric holds the distinction of being the first female solo anchor of a network nightly news programme in US television history.

Scott Pelley has been named as Couric's CBS Evening News replacement.

Watch a special look back at Katie Couric's CBS tenure below: