Anchor Desk Changes at WBZ & WHDH

["Mark Watson" <markwats@mediaone.net>]

   Yesterday's (7/31) Boston Herald reports that WHDH (Channel 7) has
promoted reporter Caterina Bandini to the vacant co-anchor slot on it's 5
and 6 PM newscasts. The seat was previously occupied by Kim Carrigan, who
was let go by Channel 7 just prior to the May ratings sweeps. Carrigan won't
be unemployed much longer, however. WBZ (Channel 4) has chosen Carrigan to
anchor the 7PM news that they are producing for co-owned WSBK (Channel 38)
starting September 3. Also that same day, she will co-anchor WBZ's 5 PM news
along with Channel 4 veteran Jack Williams. No mention on what will happen
to the current occupants of the 5 PM anchor chairs, Joe Shortsleeve and Lisa
Hughes.

    My guess is that WBZ is looking for a ratings jump with the
Carrigan/Williams pairing. Carrigan was the only WHDH anchor that test
participants were familiar with. (They probably didn't watch WBZ several
years ago when current WHDH anchor Randy Price was at 1170 SFR). And
Williams has always been very popular in the market, even if the ratings
aren't always there.

    Mark Watson