The daughter of a writer and a journalist, Couric decided to pursue a career in broadcasting after graduating from the University of Virginia in 1979 with a degree in American studies. Couric briefly worked as a desk assistant at ABC News in Washington, D.C., before joining the Cable News Network (CNN) as an assignment editor for its Washington bureau. In the early 1980s she moved to CNN's Atlanta base, where she held a number of positions, including that of on-air political correspondent during the 1984 elections. After CNN failed to offer her a full-time job as a reporter, however, Couric accepted a reporting position at WTVJ in Miami.

In 1986 Couric returned to Washington and joined WRC, an NBC affiliate, where she won an Associated Press Award and her first of several Emmy Awards (Emmy Award). Three years later she became a deputy Pentagon correspondent for NBC, and her reporting during the U.S. invasion of Panama caught the attention of news executives. In late 1989 she began filling in as a weekend anchor on NBC Nightly News, and in 1990 she started appearing on Today, a morning news and entertainment show.

In 1991 Today coanchor Deborah Norville went on maternity leave, and Couric was named her substitute. At the time, Today was struggling in the ratings, but Couric's cheerful personality brought viewers back. When Norville opted not to return to the show, Couric was named her replacement. With her folksy manner and ability to cover diverse topics—from celebrity interviews to major news events such as the September 11 attacks—she was credited with making Today the most-watched morning program in the United States. In addition to her Today duties, Couric was also a contributing anchor for the television newsmagazine Dateline NBC. Her series on colon cancer, in which she underwent a colonoscopy on camera, earned her a George Foster Peabody Award in 2001. That same year there was a heated bidding war for her services. Couric ultimately signed a five-year contract extension with NBC, believed to be worth $65 million, that made her one of the highest-paid news personalities.

When her contract expired with NBC, Couric announced that she would not return to the Today show, opting instead to move to competitor station CBS. On Sept. 5, 2006, she made history, debuting as anchor of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. Although her first broadcast brought in double the usual number of viewers, the program subsequently struggled in the ratings. In addition to serving as the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, Couric was also a correspondent for 60 Minutes and an anchor for CBS News primetime specials.