For a behind-the-scenes look at just how important news anchors are in the U.S., and how cut-throat the rivalry between them can get (even on the same network), I would highly recommend Barbara Matusow's
The Evening Stars: The Making of the Network News Anchor
. Published in the 1980s, it's still a fascinating read. (Of course, it's long since out-of-print, but still widely available used through sites such as AbeBooks and Amazon.)
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Good Morning America’ Beats ‘Today’ in Savannah Guthrie’s Debut
In preliminary fast affiliate numbers for Monday, “Good Morning America” topped “Today” in both Total Viewers and younger viewers.
It’s the first time in six years, since February 2006, that “GMA” won a Monday in both ratings measurements.
“GMA” led “Today” by just +6,000 A25-54 viewers (1.680M vs. 1.674M) and a much more decisive +356,000 Total Viewers (4.425M vs. 4.069M). As preliminary numbers go, these are subject to change.
Yesterday saw the debut of Savannah Guthrie as co-anchor of “Today” and the launch of “Good Afternoon America,” the limited-run extension of ABC’s morning franchise.
Final numbers for the week of July 2 will be in on Thursday.
I don't know what others think, but I for one am beginning to think that NBC News isn't the institution it was. Aside from all this Today debacle, I really do believe the Nightly News is dumbing down. I've recorded NN on series link for several years now and my father and I catch up with it at weekends. We used to really enjoy its coverage of politics, crime stories and historical features etc. However, recently it seems obsessed with weather, health and to some extent celebrity stories. Whether it's just because it's summer I don't know. But it seems like a long time since we sat through an entire programme without fast-forwarding. We decided to record last night's CBS Evening News and we were both much more impressed by it. We watched most of the programme - the in-depth reports on the gang violence in Chicago were excellent and it had plenty of politics in it too. I fear we may be ready to switch our allegiance. It's a shame because we both like and respect Brian Williams and we much prefer him to Scott Pelley. But, it's content that matters.
I don't know if there's any way to see it live there or not, but the first hour of the show (the one with the most news) is posted commercial-free everyday as a podcast on iTunes. Same thing for Nightly News.
We decided to record last night's CBS Evening News and we were both much more impressed by it. We watched most of the programme - the in-depth reports on the gang violence in Chicago were excellent and it had plenty of politics in it too. I fear we may be ready to switch our allegiance. It's a shame because we both like and respect Brian Williams and we much prefer him to Scott Pelley. But, it's content that matters.
Growing up in the US, I never was impressed by the big three news divisions here partly because I could never distinguish between them, and also because I thought they all tried to copy NBC (even down to the little presentation details). CBS, however, has differentiated itself significantly in the last year or do to be the network for hard news. Scott Pelley has restored the Evening News to be an excellent 30 minute summary of the day's news, and CBS This Morning is challenging morning TV to become a smarter, newsier conversation. Viewers are getting tired of the lifestyle couch segments that the Today show pioneered, and I think that's why they're on the decline. CBS is still number three in both timeslots, but they're seeing incremental ratings increases, and I think what they're doing to broadcast news (especially for the US) is really exciting and interesting.
CBS, however, has differentiated itself significantly in the last year or do to be the network for hard news. Scott Pelley has restored the Evening News to be an excellent 30 minute summary of the day's news
I watch the CBS Evening News quite regularly on Sky News, and I have to agree, its certainly a very respectable bulletin. Nothing special - it does exactly what it says on the tin. However, there's one thing little that annoys me about that broadcast - having the reporters name-checked for their respective stories during the headlines, e.g.
'A cat gets stuck up a tree. Joe Bloggs is in Phoenix with the latest.
Also tonight, is there too much discussion about rotas and presenters on this forum? Sue Smith investigates . . .'
It just seems unnecessary. Are viewers really going to stay tuned to the programme just because a particular reporter/correspondent is covering a particular story? Its different if its a huge story, or a big-name reporter has a big exclusive, but on a normal day it would be like listening to Huw Edwards on the Ten saying:
'A ship runs aground on the north Wales coast. Collette Hulme has been investigating what happened', etc etc.
All eyes in the US media looking at the ratings for both GMA and Today this week.
As for Tuesday, it seems like another win for GMA.
Quote:
In Early Ratings, 'GMA' Takes Tuesday
According to preliminary Nielsen fast affiliate data “Good Morning America” placed first Tuesday in both Total Viewers and A25-54 viewers. “GMA” had +151,000 lead on “Today” in Total Viewers (4.326M vs. 4.175M) and an +11,000 lead among younger viewers (1.690M vs. 1.679M). The show was also #1 on Monday and Friday.
‘
Good Morning America’ Beats ‘Today’ in Savannah Guthrie’s Debut
In preliminary fast affiliate numbers for Monday, “Good Morning America” topped “Today” in both Total Viewers and younger viewers.
It’s the first time in six years, since February 2006, that “GMA” won a Monday in both ratings measurements.
“GMA” led “Today” by just +6,000 A25-54 viewers (1.680M vs. 1.674M) and a much more decisive +356,000 Total Viewers (4.425M vs. 4.069M). As preliminary numbers go, these are subject to change.
Yesterday saw the debut of Savannah Guthrie as co-anchor of “Today” and the launch of “Good Afternoon America,” the limited-run extension of ABC’s morning franchise.
Final numbers for the week of July 2 will be in on Thursday.
Those ratings are key for two reasons - as stated, it won the crucial A25-54 viewers, which ABC hasn't consistently won even in the last few months since it toppled NBC's overall ratings; and secondly it won on a Monday, which AIUI ABC very rarely win. Having said that, Today will almost certainly win by quite a margin during the Olympics.
Another thing to consider is the GMA team. Robin Roberts - who is really key to that team - is currently battling a rare form of cancer (link) and may need some time off as her treatment progresses. With any luck she'll recover fully - and obviously that is the main concern - but GMA without Robin likely wouldn't be as strong.
Re: CBS Evening News
I think the overall tone is better for the CBS Evening News, which has improved no end since Scott Pelley took over and the new executives were brought in. It's not perfect, but in terms of content it's a lot better than the other broadcasts these days. I think their political team is a lot stronger with Norah O'Donnell as Chief White House Correspondent.
And as for NBC Nightly News (which still has the best presentation), I think Chelsea Clinton's appointment for those awful "Making a Difference" reports tells you everything you need to know.
Another thing to consider, if anyone's interested, is the Sunday morning shows. NBC's Meet the Press - again the ratings winner for many years - is see-sawing with CBS' Face the Nation, and ABC's This Week is improving dramatically with George Stephanopoulos (and the great Jake Tapper, filling in every two or three weeks) at the helm.
As for Savannah, I like her. I don't think she should be anchoring Today, but she's smart and has a good onscreen persona. But I think NBC was stronger back when she was White House correspondent than the current arrangement.
All eyes in the US media looking at the ratings for both GMA and Today this week.
As for Tuesday, it seems like another win for GMA.
Quote:
In Early Ratings, 'GMA' Takes Tuesday
According to preliminary Nielsen fast affiliate data “Good Morning America” placed first Tuesday in both Total Viewers and A25-54 viewers. “GMA” had +151,000 lead on “Today” in Total Viewers (4.326M vs. 4.175M) and an +11,000 lead among younger viewers (1.690M vs. 1.679M). The show was also #1 on Monday and Friday.
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