Posted on 11/24/2004 2:15:32 PM PST by KeyLargo
Audience decline an old story
Dan Rather's announcement that he will step down as CBS' main anchor comes as the 3 major networks continue to battle the loss of news viewers to cable TV and the Internet
By Leon Lazaroff Tribune national correspondent
November 24, 2004
NEW YORK -- When Dan Rather took the CBS Evening News anchor seat nearly 24 years ago from Walter Cronkite, more than a quarter of the nation's TV-viewing households were watching the newscasts.
Today, roughly 90 percent of television-watchers don't bother to tune in on an average night.
He's not alone by any means. NBC's Tom Brokaw, who is also planning to retire soon, and ABC's Peter Jennings are doing only slightly better.
To most, the brutal plunge in news viewership at the three networks and the loss of crucial advertising dollars that followed in lock step may have been secondary Tuesday to Rather's announcement that he would step down in March after a storied and controversial run as CBS' main anchor.
To network executives, though, that sour economic news is front and center as network news departments remain locked in a historic struggle to remain both relevant and profitable.
Even though broadcast newscasts still pull in millions more viewers than cable and generate $100 million or more each year in advertising revenue, the downward viewing trend is troubling.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Its too late, the new media is here and getting stronger every day!
Not to mention cemeteries. What is the average age of your typical SeeBS News viewer? 100?
If you morons would just start reporting the news instead of inventing it with an agenda you may be able to save your selves!
It's hard to tune in when it's not in your house.
Muleteam1
Well maybe 100 is right. I'm 72 and since cable and iinternet came around I never watch network news.
I want to get my news when I want it,not when they want me to get it.
That very well may happen. The people who own the networks may consider selling hour segments to "outsiders" who put their own programming and content on. The "outsiders" rent the network for a fee and whatever revenue they get from advertisers during their segment is theirs.
The future of broadcast TV is coming...
The service the news departments are supposed to provide is accurate information relevant to my life. They fail. It's not worth it to watch them.
Dan Rather, the "lame duck" news anchor at CBS......
>>Even though broadcast newscasts still pull in millions more viewers than cable and generate $100 million or more each year in advertising revenue, the downward viewing trend is troubling.<<
Uh, yeah... the half-hour evening network newscasts pull in more viewers during their half-hour than the 24-hour cable newscasts pull in during that same half hour. Doesn't say much.
"broadcasters may be at a breaking point and may need to make major changes in the way they present the news"
Like being fair and ballanced????
Ya got that right. Gave up TV 7 years ago.
Yeah, I miss some stuff I'd like to view, but it doesn't make up for the 99% opf the brain-numbing pablum I'd probably watch...Reading, talk radio and good movies more than replace it.
FMCDH(BITS)
What’s the frequency Kenneth?
The 'net is about 18 hr ahead of the evening news anyway.
The main benefit is still that the 'net is short of video. The facts are there though. Also the 'net allows one to pick and choose what to investigate/become educated about. In addition, note that one can read printed material (some advanced mathematics textbooks and all social science textbooks excepted ;-)> ) much faster than someone can read it to you.
TV news is late and inefficient. Only good to watch is a topic is likely to be covered with "fresh" video.
Although I will hold my nose while switching to 60 Minutes tonight, I do want to see this story.
CBS to Air Story of Last Survivor Pulled From WTC Rubble.
Click here for the tator take on the decline of the main stream media
Poster quotes beyond authorized excerpt in comments
The same thing is happening to newspapers. For the most part newspapers have moved further left to keep their remaining audience. I expect the same from the old TV media.
If they started wearing clown costumes and would breathe helium before speaking I would start watching again.
Muleteam1
Including me, although I did tune in on election night 2004 for a few minutes to get my yucks at the sight of Dan Rather's face.
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