Speculating: CBS counterprogramming news in the mornings

[TAFKA wacowx]

What are your opinions of whether or not CBS would or should give up the Early Show and go with a non-news magazine to draw viewers who may not want news?

25 years ago, Captain Kangaroo was HUGE in that time slot. Could children's programming be a hit again? Is this even an option? I know if I had the power and I couldn't sucessfully draw viewers using the format that everyone else was using, I would seriously think about doing something that might draw a whole other breed of viewers; someone looking for something other than news/features. It could be a game show or kids programming or heck, even a morning movie or repeats of CSI.

What does everyone else think? A possible good move, but they will never do it?

[ November 28, 2006, 06:52 AM: Message edited by: Waco WX outside is frightful.. ]

[jama]

25 years ago there weren't so many choices for kids. Today we have Cartoon Network, all of the Nick channels, Disney and many more. I don't think children's programming would work.

[Fargin Icehole]

Try this:
http://www.dvinfo.net/sony/articles/stevers/DSC00100.jpg
It would draw as many viewers.

[TAFKA wacowx]

Originally posted by jama:
25 years ago there weren't so many choices for kids. Today we have Cartoon Network, all of the Nick channels, Disney and many more. I don't think children's programming would work.What about other types of programming?

[jama]

What about repeating the prime-time lineup from the night before?

[Ryder13]

The question is -- would most CBS affils CLEAR non-news network programming.
Where I live, there are TWO stations that do a 4-hour morning newscast -- from 5-9 am.
And starting next week -- the NBC affil will be starting an additional two hours of morning news on the former UPN (now 'my network') giving THEM 4 hours of morning news from 5-9.
Remember the revamped "CBS This Morning" which gave affils the option of FIVE cut-ins an hour? Or "The Morning Program" where affils didn't have to clear the first hour AT ALL -- they could instead fill it with local news. Which many did and there are still one of two that STILL don't clear the first hour of TES.

I guarantee you that if CBS puts ANYTHING but a news program, affils ACROSS THE COUNTRY will not clear it and instead use it for LOCAL news.

What CBS NEEDS to try is the one thing no one in MYC seems willing (or able) to do. A show that ISN'T so New York centric. "Today" and "GMA" pretty much have that sewn up.

Here's a novel idea -- do a show for the Central and Eastern time zones. And then do another version for the West. And, by that, I don't just mean update the news recaps. But try to find out what the hot stories are OUT HERE. Maybe even with a different "cast" and crew. And do it from Los Angeles.

I heard another story about what Michael Richards is trying to do in the wake of his comedy club meltdown. In the narration, the reporter referred to "the third rail". Now, I know what that means and why you shouldn't touch it -- but it is definitely an EAST COAST expression.

The network newscasts will continue to become more irrelevant if they insist on playing to New York ONLY. Especially in the morning. And thanks to satellite technology -- local newscasts can cover stories anywhere or at least have access TO coverage. If I'm getting up at 7:00 and I have the choice of a LOCAL newscast that's LIVE or a NYC cast that's TWO or more hours old -- which one do you think I'll pick?

ABC's idea of doing 'World News' live for Eastern, Central and Pacific time zones is brilliant. (If they are still doing that -- and if not -- WHY not?)

I understand that you can't book heads of state twice etc, but a lot of these segments are THEIR own personnel. Why can't THEY be booked twice? Or get more reporters. Something more than doing news for just the East Coast.

Ok -- rant over.

[ November 28, 2006, 07:22 AM: Message edited by: Ryder13 ]

[Ty4255]

I don't think CBS will go the route of airing non-news in the mornings from 7-9. I think CBS is committed to doing what it takes to make news rise to the top. I know everybody is on Katie's ass about not being number 1, but for heavens sake....she draws near 8 million viewers a night in metered markets. That may be third, but people act like she is WAY back in third place when the ratigs are a lot closer than people think.

With all the griping and criticism of the CBS Evening news, you would think they are drawing 5 million viewers compared to NBC drawing 35 million viewers.

But back to mornings, I just don't see CBS dropping news. As I said in another post, I am expecting Campbell Brown to hop over to CBS. The question is, Do they go with a 2 anchor format, and who will the male anchor be? Will they stick with Harry Smith? Will they bring Anderson Cooper in as speculated? Julie Chen will most definitely go to newsreader, with Renee Syler and Hannah Storm becoming correspondents.

[Diplomat]

CBS abandoned news in the morning once before. Remember the "Morning Program" with Rolland Smith, Mariette Hartley, Mark McEwen and Bob Saget?"

It bombed.

[Nigel Wick]

I still cringe when I thing of the "Morning" show. CBS may be in last place, but the Early Show still makes a profit.

[Emily Latella]

They should put Craig Ferguson on in the AM. Nothing like a Very, Very, Late, LateShow. A laugh or two is never a bad thing before you head off to the dreary cubicle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WM8JJxYq9c&mode=related&search=

Letterman started with a daytime show.

[CleanBreeze]

Move Katie Couric to mornings. Add a couple of more local cut-ins... Bring back Bob Schieffer for the CBS Evening News and pair him with a female co-anchor....

[Roy Hobbs]

Originally posted by Diplomat:
CBS abandoned news in the morning once before. Remember the "Morning Program" with Rolland Smith, Mariette Hartley, Mark McEwen and Bob Saget?"

It bombed.Every Morning product has bombed, including Kuralt doing what's now Sunday Morning six days a week.

[Diplomat]

Originally posted by Roy Hobbs:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Diplomat:
CBS abandoned news in the morning once before. Remember the "Morning Program" with Rolland Smith, Mariette Hartley, Mark McEwen and Bob Saget?"

It bombed.Every Morning product has bombed, including Kuralt doing what's now Sunday Morning six days a week.</font>[/QUOTE]That was a horrible idea, too. Kuralt was best in small doses.

During the Bill Kurtis/Diane Sawyer era, the CBS Morning News was trending upward in the ratings, beating Today on several occasions. That was ruined when Diane Sawyer went to 60 Minutes and CBS News brass took forever to get a replacement. That's when Van Sauter and others suddenly decided that Phyllis George would save the show.

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Ryder13:
The network newscasts will continue to become more irrelevant if they insist on playing to New York ONLY.You are absolutely correct... and you are making the business case that supports everything Bernard Goldberg wrote in "Bias."

The insular bubbles of NY and DC have little relevance or touch with the rest of the country. It's not a matter of politics or values. It's culture, and the frame-of-reference required for analogy and understanding.

It's knowing your potential audience, and getting a sense for what is important to them, instead of inviting eight tourists into a room on 57th street and "picking their brains" for an hour in a focus group.

[Ryder13]

During the Bill Kurtis/Diane Sawyer era, the CBS Morning News was trending upward in the ratings, beating Today on several occasions. That was ruined when Diane Sawyer went to 60 Minutes and CBS News brass took forever to get a replacement. That's when Van Sauter and others suddenly decided that Phyllis George would save the show.
I NEVER could figure out why they turned what was arguably the best morning news program on television into the worst. ESPECIALLY considering the disaster that was happening over at "Today". "Morning News" was VERY watchable, slowly going up and with harder news viewers -- who, if you can get them, are EXTREMELY loyal.

[mothball]

Originally posted by jama:
What about repeating the prime-time lineup from the night before?(applause)

[Mr.TV]

Originally posted by CleanBreeze:
Move Katie Couric to mornings. Add a couple of more local cut-ins... Bring back Bob Schieffer for the CBS Evening News and pair him with a female co-anchor....Period after CBS EVENING NEWS and delete following 7 words. Ya, you nailed it!

[Roy Hobbs]

Originally posted by Diplomat:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Roy Hobbs:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Diplomat:
CBS abandoned news in the morning once before. Remember the "Morning Program" with Rolland Smith, Mariette Hartley, Mark McEwen and Bob Saget?"

It bombed.Every Morning product has bombed, including Kuralt doing what's now Sunday Morning six days a week.</font>[/QUOTE]That was a horrible idea, too. Kuralt was best in small doses.

During the Bill Kurtis/Diane Sawyer era, the CBS Morning News was trending upward in the ratings, beating Today on several occasions. That was ruined when Diane Sawyer went to 60 Minutes and CBS News brass took forever to get a replacement. That's when Van Sauter and others suddenly decided that Phyllis George would save the show.</font>[/QUOTE]#203 During the Kurtis/Sawyer era, Meredith Vieira subbed on the CBS Morning News, beginning in October 1983 :-D

[Nigel Wick]

The Kurtis/Sawyer broadcast was a very good show-- very newsy, a good interview or two, weather and sports. There is a place for well done hard news in the morning. The show was handicapped because it was only an hour. Captain Kangaroo had the other hour. It's unfortunate the format was abandoned when Sawyer left.

[Kace]

What about repeating the prime-time lineup from the night before?"Suit up!"

[TVMattNYC]

Originally posted by Ryder13:
The network newscasts will continue to become more irrelevant if they insist on playing to New York ONLY.Exactly how are they doing that?