One of the biggest questions following the handoff of “CBS Evening News” from former anchor Katie Couric to new anchor Scott Pelley has been what effect the transition would have on ratings for the nightly newscast. The answer, apparently, is not much.
Ratings for "Evening News" have remained flat after Couric’s departure, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In the week since Pelley took over the anchor’s chair on June 6, the show averaged 5.7 million viewers, matching Couric’s final month on the program, the story notes.
However, Pelley’s broadcast was down 6% among viewers 25 to 54–the key news demo–compared with Couric’s last month. Pelley has averaged 1.3 million viewers in the demo.
Pelley’s first broadcast on June 6 drew 6.1 million viewers, which the article says was the high point during a slow news week.
NBC’s “Nightly News” was No. 1 for the week with 8.2 million viewers (1.9 million in the 25-54 demo), with ABC’s “World News” in the No. 2 spot at 7 million (1.5 million in 25-54).
Sees that CBS is now looking and now sounding like the 80+ ratings grabber. That newscast is too toned down, slower than molasses in January pace, and has no personality. It’s not hard hitting, like the younger (yes, I’m in demo) news viewers want. To be honest, Leslie Stahl would have been a slightly better match… she’s got some personality, where Scott doesn’t.
Trying to look hoitey-toitey is not helping his ratings either. Only thing he has going for his newscast… he’s cure for an older guy.