CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) – Could comedian Jon Stewart, anchor of a satirical cable news show, make the switch to a major network and replace CBS’s veteran “60 Minutes” commentator Andy Rooney?

Dan Rather, asked about the hypothetical scenario at a Harvard University forum on Thursday, said he thinks so.

“Satire is particularly valuable in a country like ours,” Rather said in response to a question from moderator Alex S. Jones, director of the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Shorenstein Center for the Press, Politics and Public Policy.

“One can imagine a national news editor saying, We are losing money during this time period”‘ and bringing in Stewart to boost demographics, said Rather, adding that he had no knowledge of actual discussions to lure Stewart away from Comedy Central.

Stewart hosted the 78th Annual Oscars in Hollywood last week. Surveys have shown that as many as 20 percent of young people get their news from his Daily Show on Comedy Central each weeknight.

Rooney, 87, has given his wry commentaries at the end of “60 Minutes” broadcasts since 1978.

Rather, 74, who stepped down in 2005 after 24 years as the anchor of the CBS Evening News, is a correspondent for “60 Minutes.”

Regardless of Stewart’s popularity and potential, the market for substantive journalism still exists, Rather said.

“I think there is going to be a place for serious news – real news – and somebody is going to do it and make money at it,” Rather said. “My core belief is it isn’t over. It’s in danger, but it isn’t over.”