Katie Couric Debuts At Number One

Katie Couric's much-anticipated debut as anchor of The CBS Evening News
vaulted the network to first-place in the network news race, according
to preliminary ratings from Nielsen Media Research.

Based on household ratings from metered markets, Couric averaged a
impressive 9.1 rating/17 share, giving CBS its best Evening News rating
since 1998. Couric's premiere marks more than double the program's
metered market average of 4.4/9 over the past four weeks.

ABC grabbed second place Tuesday night with a 5.7/10 rating and NBC was
third with a 5.3/10. Those standings could change when Nielsen releases
more ratings information, including demographic data, this afternoon.

CBS News President Sean McManus said the network was encouraged by
Couric's first outing, "but what's more important is what the
audience will be six months and a year from now."

"Our primary focus remains on producing the highest quality broadcast
night in and night out," he added in a statement.

nesnmaine...

Well, Yes and no. I expected good numbers for the first night but She
did good in the ratings but she didn't win every market last night.
CHICAGO [SECOND PLACE BEHIND ABC'S 8.8/19]; 9.8./16 IN PHILLY [SECOND
PLACE BEHIND ABC'S 11.6/19];

It was a pretty bad newscast.

evwill...

A bad newscast but a good newsmagazine. Couric at 6:30/7 p.m. ET/PT
doesn't work, many viewers still want something more traditional in the
early evening. Couric in primetime at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the other hand
would have some potential.

Everett W.

Dave...

You see Couric reading from a teleprompter and now you know what
everyone was talking about . She's not at her best while doing this.
CBS will fall back to 3rd place soon.

nesnmaine...