| Topic Name: |
nyc sweeps |
| Message Name: |
All Of That May Be True, But.... |
| Date Posted: |
05/29/2005 |
| In Reply To: |
from the spin a moment (that "early news loss" by Ch. 7 to Ch. 4 was by .2 at 5AM; they then both tied at 6AM) and look at the larger picture: even with the bunching at 11PM, all of these stations have been fighting over what's left of a shrinking audience for what seems like 4 TV generations now. Not because of cable, etc - but because they push viewers away. The real harbinger is what's going on at 5 & 6 PM. None of them have an idea who the audience is in that slot, or how to reach it. They are broadcasting through a time warp, into the Eisenhower era. This idea that it's predominantly women, and so there must be a dumbing down - "news you can use", "lifestyle segments" - insults most women I know. Traffic reports when people are already stuck IN traffic wastes space for - what? "The little woman" preparing the roast? They're linked by cell phone and radio reports, and are picking up take out anyhow. But there is a clue there: the traffic shows your audience is still coming home. Someone must win a fight with sales and the GM to push these newscasts back to end closer to 7:30 or 8PM; and, a half hour has to be lopped off 90 minute blocs. And that's for starters. |
| Message: |
....it isn't the issue we are discussing here. The deal is simple: WABC has long promoted itself as being number 1 in news in NYC, often without actually being the leader at the critical time slot of 11PM. And in this case they were second in the morning as well.
I do think a 7PM newscast would work wonders. But who is going to attempt that landmark show? Channel 11 stands to benefit the most tactically, but the budget, poor management, and mediocre talent base at WPIX would never let it get going. WNYW might take a shot, since the 10PM show has no real competition and the 12,5, and 6 programs are in ratings hell.
Still, the looming question is: when is Channel 7 going to send a moribund WNBC 11PM news to the cleaners?
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