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September 6, 2006
Katie Couric Can?
I had a meeting last night, but I did make a point to tape Katie Couric’s debut on the “CBS Evening News.� It was a night of firsts: She became the first woman to solo anchor the evening news on major network television; while this was the first time I've ever taped an evening news broadcast.
It’s too early (and unfair) to judge Couric’s long-term success, however, it’s perfectly fine to comment on the drastic changes to the network’s newscast.
The most obvious change was a spike in ratings. This will likely level off, but the curiosity factor garnered CBS a 9.1 rating and 17 share in the nation’s 55 biggest markets, according to Nielsen Media Research. It simply smoked NBC’s and ABC’s broadcasts.
The pace of the broadcast was also quicker as Couric, dressed in a white blazer, blitzed through a series of stories without much transition between topics.
The network also capitalized on the former NBC product’s famous legs. Couric, her bare legs crossed opposite a New York Times reporter, asked all the right questions about terrorism. Thankfully, Times columnist Thomas Friedman was never caught looking down, but hey, ya never know, it was a taped interview!
Couric, who sat behind a beautiful semi-circle desk, finished the telecast admitting she had not come up with a signature phrase to end each night of news. Does anyone really need one? Shouldn’t that just emerge? Oh well, you’re invited to send your suggestions to CBS News.
Posted by Andy Ravens at September 6, 2006 2:52 PM
Comments
All I have to say is...Katie's a drip.
Posted by: val at September 7, 2006 7:28 PM
Have watched her a few times - she seems nervous and out of breath. Her interviewing skills and empathetic nature are her strengths - what a waste, reading the news! She should have her own talk show, where she could really cut loose!
Posted by: Joan at September 12, 2006 8:33 AM