TV by the Numbers - Latest Comments in Why I Like Les and the Katie Couric Experiment

Re: Why I Like Les and the Katie Couric Experiment

Eva G. — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:16:21 -0000

Dear Robert, I'm so glad you defended your point of view respectfully, and with great insight. I think you and Bill are sooooooo smart. I'm young and never watch the news on TV, cuz I get it all online, without commercials, and usually with the ability to blog about it.

Re: Why I Like Les and the Katie Couric Experiment

Robert Seidman — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:43:16 -0000

Daniel: maybe they were trying to "split the middle". She's younger than Rather by a good clip, but perhaps they thought not so young she'd alienate the over 60 crowd.

I'm not sure I agree the Eye isn't trying to skew younger. Moonlight and the Big Bang theory come to mind, but I agree the card CBS plays (and well) is the most viewers period card.

Re: Why I Like Les and the Katie Couric Experiment

Daniel C — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 20:25:19 -0000

I don't think any of you are morons. However, I don't understand how hiring a 50 year old woman will bring younger demos, if that's indeed what CBS wants for its Nightly News. Two things have occurred regarding Couric: The Today show decided to add an additional hour and CBS decided to "soften" its news. Judging by all CBS shows including prime time, sports and news, the eye appears to have very little interest in lowering its record aging audience and is happy just having the largest one, no matter how old they are.

Re: Why I Like Les and the Katie Couric Experiment

Robert Seidman — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:05:27 -0000

completely agree that inertia accounts for how things have gone down the last 20 years. We can guess that of the 25-54 crowd watching broadcast evening news now, it's overwhelmingly weighted to people in their mid 40s to early 50s.

One thing that is not inert is the aging process. Unless the advertisers change how they value 55+, or young people start valuing the broadcast evening news, something will probably change by 10 years out.