Re: WBZ-TV, "The Tradition Deteriorates"

[Shawn Mamros <mamros@MIT.EDU>]

>     When they dumped "Eyewitness News" on CHannel 4, I knew it was the
>beginning of the end.  Here was one of America's FIRST and best newscasts
>around.  In comes the beancounters from "Black Rock" (CBS).  What do they
>do ?  They dump Jack Williams and replace him with an ex-Wrestling 
>"commentator".  He didn't last at WWOR (Channel 9/Secaucus, NJ) all that
>long.  He has no credibility, PERIOD.  Oh, sure he tries...but first
>impressions mean a lot.  Sorry, Sean.  

But which came first, the chicken or the egg?  Channel 7 went to Sunbeam
a full year and a half (June 1993, according to BRA) before Channel 4
swapped networks (January 1995), and CBS ownership didn't come until
later in 1995.  When exactly did 7 News leap ahead of 4's news?  I was
under the impression that it happened before CBS took over, but I could
be wrong.

The CBS-instituted changes you described above were the first attempts to
"fix" 4's news.  Obviously, it hasn't worked.  I fear that's almost
certainly going to mean even more drastic changes on Soldiers Field Rd.,
rather than any sort of return to "the good ol' days".

Also, even back before 7's news made the jump out of dead last, the
news leader in town (ratings-wise at least) was (and still is) Channel 5,
not 4, right?  But Chairman Mel isn't likely going to be content with second
place.  IMO, going the Cheatwood/7 News route on 4 isn't going to change 5's
dominance in this market.  At best, they'll swap places with 7, unless Chet,
Nat and company suddenly leave town...

...or move to another station?  What if Mel were to try to tempt the
NewsCenter 5 crew to move over to 4?  Could it be done, and how much $$$
would it take?  No offense to the fine folks at 4, but if Mel really
wants to be number 1 here, I don't see any way to do it short of hiring
the number 1 team...

- -Shawn Mamros
E-mail to: mamros@mit.edu

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