What Next for CBS?
27 January 2006 2:44 pm by Taylor Marsh
What Next for CBS?
The point is: all eras end and for years the network
newscasts have stayed largely the same. And what is today’s new context?
A NEW era with new technologies seducing potential viewers. Shorter attention
spans. Polarized political attitudes. News must be packaged in smarter and
more compelling ways. That does NOT mean sensationalism or ignoring foreign
news or substantive issues. It means offering a more varied package that’s
more accessible to younger viewers.The biggest issue isn’t who fills the slot. The
issue is the nature of the slot that CBS seeks to fill. Is it going to be
the same kind of slot or are we now at the beginning of a new era? Has the
context in which newscasts are delivered now changed? Have the audiences changed?
Have the other choices viewers now have to get their information changed?
And does all of this mean the news delivery system needs to change?The bottom line is that network newscasts in general
now seem resistant to the fact that, like the eras listed above, they today
exist as part of an era — and change is inevitable for survival. MUST 2006
newscasts be in a 1960s form? An emphasis on diverse content can be maintained
while changing the form so newscasts are both appealing and informative to
21st century audiences.
End
Of An Era For The "Evening News," Says Gandelman
Nothing to add on this one, just a nod to our friend over at TMV,
Joe Gandelman. Take a look at his guest post over at CBS’
"Public Eye." It’s worth the read.
