Brian Williams, Scott Pelley and David Muir: The NEW Big 3 in Evening News? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

simmytbone · 09-02-2014, 02:54 AM

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.1922051

Network anchors Brian Williams, Scott Pelley and David Muir could bolster evening news stability
Nightly reports continue to hold sway at news divisions, and current trio may someday rival an earlier Big Three
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS / Tuesday, September 2, 2014, 2:00 AM

With David Muir taking the anchor seat at “ABC World News,” the pieces could be in place for another Big Three era in broadcast network nightly news.

It’s not a lock. Nothing is a lock in the media news game, as David Gregory can attest after getting bounced from “Meet the Press.”

But it’s also possible we could be looking at a stretch of broadcast evening news anchor stability — an echo, if not an exact replica, of the extraordinary two decades when it was Dan Rather at CBS, Peter Jennings at ABC and Tom Brokaw at NBC.

Muir will contend with Brian Williams at “NBC Nightly News” and Scott Pelley at “CBS Evening News,” and all three seem solid.

While it’s obviously too soon to judge Muir’s tenure, he has been Diane Sawyer’s regular sub for some time. Like Williams and Pelley, he worked his way up through his network’s news division and by all accounts is well-respected.

@ 40, Muir is the youngest of the three. But Pelley, at 57, and Williams, at 55, could stay in those seats for at least another decade if they are so inclined.

It also has to be noted that they are three white guys — which is no reflection on them, but does bring anchoring back to one of the more undeniable traditions of network television news.

However sincere the many diversity efforts in media, white men remain the comfort zone.

Sawyer, who stepped down from the ABC anchor seat voluntarily last week, was arguably the first woman network evening news anchor whose tenure sparked no side issues. She created few headlines and raised the show’s ratings.

Barbara Walters, Connie Chung and Katie Couric were not so fortunate, for some reasons they might have controlled and some they could not.

A major part of the problem going forward remains this: While all the networks have some terrific women journalists, they remain outnumbered. For reasons rooted more in the sociology of America than official corporate policies, it’s harder for women to get on the fast track and therefore be in the queue when openings arise.

In any case, diversity probably isn’t a big concern for most viewers when they decide whether to watch the network evening news.

As TV reports have expanded and alternate sources of news have exploded, fewer are watching.

In 1980, ABC, NBC and CBS averaged 42.3 million total viewers a night. Two weeks ago, their combined average was 21.9 million, or just about half of 1980.

But numbers are tricky. It’s also true that over the last 10 years, since 2004, the evening newscast audience has risen 5%-10%.

“When we get news 24 hours a day, I think people need the evening newscast more than ever,” says Muir — because it can take that stream of information, pause briefly and make sense of it by explaining what it means.

The networks all say that’s the mission of their news divisions, and it helps when viewers know and can get to trust the anchors who are delivering it.

That doesn’t mean broadcast evening news had an all-golden era from 1983, when Jennings completed the original Big Three, until 2004, when Brokaw ended the period by stepping down.

The 50% viewership decline occurred during those years. Right in the middle, 1993 to 1995, CBS tried to boost Rather’s show by having Chung co-anchor it.

Many factors could derail Muir, Pelley and Williams in years ahead, from unforeseen health issues to a crisis of demographics. Evening news viewership tilts toward old, which is never TV’s preference.

But things don’t always break bad, and it’s just possible that in the mercurial world of media, we might have some stable elements.

Scott Pelley directs the ‘CBS Evening News.’

Brian Williams continues to anchor NBC’s report.

ABC’s new anchor, David Muir, will be the youngest of the big three.

An earlier era of network news competition was presided over by (from l.) Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather.

credit: nydailynews.com

vampirevsrobot · 09-09-2014, 05:36 AM

I thought for sure George Stephanopoulos was going to take over on ABC.

Of the three in the last photograph, Peter Jennings was my favorite.

Fontaine · 10-26-2014, 09:02 PM

Sorry, I only watch Bret Baier on Fox.

simmytbone · 10-28-2014, 02:47 AM

I still watch the news sometimes, but I don't do too much 24/7 News (except maybe Headline News), I can't STAND Fox News

I always enjoyed Peter Jennings and even Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather was good, too

When Tom left 10 years ago, he passed the torch to Brian Williams and he was indeed a good choice, comin' from the Weekend Edition of NBC Nightly News to be promoted to Lead Anchor of NBC News and Nightly News and he does a great job

2005 was the year that we lost Peter Jennings who died from Lung Cancer and Dan Rather left CBS News on Bad Terms and hasn't recovered, but the Big 3 of Scott, Brian and David will be a great choice right there

Best Wishes to all 3 of you

Zoneboy · 10-28-2014, 04:26 AM

John Roberts was inline for the CBS chair but of course Scott Pelley ultimately got it and is doing a great job.

bmasters9 · 10-28-2014, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnawcwvictoriafa

I still watch the news sometimes, but I don't do too much 24/7 News (except maybe Headline News), I can't STAND Fox News

Me either! FOX to me lately has been very offputting, albeit I don't know exactly how to explain it.

Coffeecup · 12-12-2014, 11:11 PM

I didn't realize Brian has been NBC anchor for 10 years. Wow does time go fast. The poster are rights all 3 could be doing their jobs another 10 years. David could go 25. I remember when Walter Cronkite was forced to resign at age 65. Wasn't Diane older in age than Walter when she did the news.

simmytbone · 12-29-2014, 07:29 PM

Yes indeed it's true

10 years ago this month, Tom Brokaw retired from NBC Nightly News after 22 years, but he is still a News Correspondent with NBC News and after 21 years as the network's chief newsman – a record tenure in the history of NBC News

Brian Williams who served as News Anchor for the Weekend Edition of NBC Nightly News took over since December 2, 2004 and to this day, Tom and Brian still remain good friends

Brokaw is the only person to host all three major NBC News programs:

The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and, briefly, Meet the Press. He now serves as a Special Correspondent for NBC News and works on documentaries for other outlets and has been with NBC for more than 40 years

and this year also marks 5 years since Charlie Gibson retired from abc news after 34 years

His final broadcast from World News Tonight was December 18, 2009, but he is now the narrator for abc's This Week with George Stephanopoulos

Here's another fact for ya:

Tom Brokaw is now 74, Brian Williams and Lester Holt who anchors Weekend Today and Weekend Nightly News are both 55 years old which means they are now both Senior Citizens

and now, here are the Video Clips:

Tom Brokaw's Final Broadcast of NBC Nightly News from December 1, 2004

Brian Williams begins his 1st day on NBC Nightly News from December 2, 2004

Brian Williams Thanks Viewers For Five Years of NBC Nightly News December 2, 2009

Brian Williams celebrated 10 years as News Anchor of NBC Nightly News December 2, 2014

Local anchors congratulate Brian Williams on 10 years on NBC Nightly News

The "GMA" crew looks back at Charles Gibson's nearly 35 years at ABC News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTjFy0j0T8

Charlie's Final abc news Broadcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdmGBGkOKU4

NBC Nightly News - Brian Williams Says Goodbye to his Good Friend Charles Gibson

Babalu · 02-14-2015, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmytbone

Network anchors Brian Williams, Scott Pelley and David Muir could bolster evening news stability

Then again, maybe not.

Coffeecup · 02-14-2015, 04:37 PM

As for Brian Williams, the last I heard he is off from anchoring the news for 6 months and Lester Holt will take his place during the six months. Who really knows what will happen in the mid summer. Will Brian fair well on his return ?

TMC · 09-10-2015, 12:02 PM

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment...r-report-says/

Quote:

“ABC World News Tonight” anchor David Muir is being nicknamed “Anchor Monster” by network staffers after repeatedly losing his temper with his crew over being beaten in the ratings by his rival, NBC’s Lester Holt.

Muir’s heavily hyped big interview with Hillary Clinton — in which she finally apologized for using personal e-mail — tanked on Wednesday night as Muir’s newscast was clobbered by * rival “NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt.” NBC averaged 8.3 million total viewers over ABC’s 7.3 million.

Industry insiders point out that Muir had to do the interview because ABC political top dog George Stephanopoulos couldn’t quiz Hillary after his donation to the Clinton Foundation was revealed, sparking questions about his impartiality. ABC insists Stephanopoulos will still lead their 2016 coverage.

Muir’s “big get” with Pope Francis also disappointed last week. Friday’s heavily promoted “20/20” special featuring Muir and the pope was only neck-and-neck with a repeat of NBC’s “Dateline.” On Monday, “World News Tonight” aired segments from Muir’s papal session, but the ABC broadcast again trailed NBC by nearly a million viewers — with a little more than 8.01 million compared to NBC’s average of 9 million. NBC says “Nightly News” has been No. 1 in total viewers all 11 weeks since Holt was officially named anchor.

An ABC source tells us, “Despite the biggest ‘get’ in the world — the pope — David is still losing to Lester. David feels under pressure and returned to New York from Rome cranky and has been lashing out at the staff. He screams at the crew unless [ABC News President] James Goldston is around. On an open mike he was heard complaining he wanted less of the reporters’ voices and more of his own during the pope town hall. He’s becoming known as ‘Anchor Monster.’”

An ABC rep countered, “This is ridiculous, as David is one of the kindest people in the building. Fresh off his historic exclusive with Pope Francis and interview with Hillary Clinton, he remains focused on the viewers and what comes next.”

09-02-2014, 02:54 AM	#1
simmytbone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2009 Posts: 1,513	Brian Williams, Scott Pelley and David Muir: The NEW Big 3 in Evening News? http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.1922051 Network anchors Brian Williams, Scott Pelley and David Muir could bolster evening news stability Nightly reports continue to hold sway at news divisions, and current trio may someday rival an earlier Big Three NEW YORK DAILY NEWS / Tuesday, September 2, 2014, 2:00 AM With David Muir taking the anchor seat at “ABC World News,” the pieces could be in place for another Big Three era in broadcast network nightly news. It’s not a lock. Nothing is a lock in the media news game, as David Gregory can attest after getting bounced from “Meet the Press.” But it’s also possible we could be looking at a stretch of broadcast evening news anchor stability — an echo, if not an exact replica, of the extraordinary two decades when it was Dan Rather at CBS, Peter Jennings at ABC and Tom Brokaw at NBC. Muir will contend with Brian Williams at “NBC Nightly News” and Scott Pelley at “CBS Evening News,” and all three seem solid. While it’s obviously too soon to judge Muir’s tenure, he has been Diane Sawyer’s regular sub for some time. Like Williams and Pelley, he worked his way up through his network’s news division and by all accounts is well-respected. @ 40, Muir is the youngest of the three. But Pelley, at 57, and Williams, at 55, could stay in those seats for at least another decade if they are so inclined. It also has to be noted that they are three white guys — which is no reflection on them, but does bring anchoring back to one of the more undeniable traditions of network television news. However sincere the many diversity efforts in media, white men remain the comfort zone. Sawyer, who stepped down from the ABC anchor seat voluntarily last week, was arguably the first woman network evening news anchor whose tenure sparked no side issues. She created few headlines and raised the show’s ratings. Barbara Walters, Connie Chung and Katie Couric were not so fortunate, for some reasons they might have controlled and some they could not. A major part of the problem going forward remains this: While all the networks have some terrific women journalists, they remain outnumbered. For reasons rooted more in the sociology of America than official corporate policies, it’s harder for women to get on the fast track and therefore be in the queue when openings arise. In any case, diversity probably isn’t a big concern for most viewers when they decide whether to watch the network evening news. As TV reports have expanded and alternate sources of news have exploded, fewer are watching. In 1980, ABC, NBC and CBS averaged 42.3 million total viewers a night. Two weeks ago, their combined average was 21.9 million, or just about half of 1980. But numbers are tricky. It’s also true that over the last 10 years, since 2004, the evening newscast audience has risen 5%-10%. “When we get news 24 hours a day, I think people need the evening newscast more than ever,” says Muir — because it can take that stream of information, pause briefly and make sense of it by explaining what it means. The networks all say that’s the mission of their news divisions, and it helps when viewers know and can get to trust the anchors who are delivering it. That doesn’t mean broadcast evening news had an all-golden era from 1983, when Jennings completed the original Big Three, until 2004, when Brokaw ended the period by stepping down. The 50% viewership decline occurred during those years. Right in the middle, 1993 to 1995, CBS tried to boost Rather’s show by having Chung co-anchor it. Many factors could derail Muir, Pelley and Williams in years ahead, from unforeseen health issues to a crisis of demographics. Evening news viewership tilts toward old, which is never TV’s preference. But things don’t always break bad, and it’s just possible that in the mercurial world of media, we might have some stable elements. Scott Pelley directs the ‘CBS Evening News.’ Brian Williams continues to anchor NBC’s report. ABC’s new anchor, David Muir, will be the youngest of the big three. An earlier era of network news competition was presided over by (from l.) Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather. *credit: nydailynews.com*
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09-09-2014, 05:36 AM	#2
vampirevsrobot Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 24, 2014 Posts: 170	I thought for sure George Stephanopoulos was going to take over on ABC. Of the three in the last photograph, Peter Jennings was my favorite.
	__________________ *"I vaguely have a feeling that at one point I delivered a pizza to the Eisenhower's"*

10-28-2014, 04:26 AM	#5
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	John Roberts was inline for the CBS chair but of course Scott Pelley ultimately got it and is doing a great job.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

10-26-2014, 09:02 PM	#3
Fontaine Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 16, 2013 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 160	Sorry, I only watch Bret Baier on Fox.

10-28-2014, 02:47 AM	#4
simmytbone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2009 Posts: 1,513	I still watch the news sometimes, but I don't do too much 24/7 News (except maybe Headline News), I can't STAND Fox News I always enjoyed Peter Jennings and even Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather was good, too When Tom left 10 years ago, he passed the torch to Brian Williams and he was indeed a good choice, comin' from the Weekend Edition of NBC Nightly News to be promoted to Lead Anchor of NBC News and Nightly News and he does a great job 2005 was the year that we lost Peter Jennings who died from Lung Cancer and Dan Rather left CBS News on Bad Terms and hasn't recovered, but the Big 3 of Scott, Brian and David will be a great choice right there Best Wishes to all 3 of you

12-12-2014, 11:11 PM	#7
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,181	I didn't realize Brian has been NBC anchor for 10 years. Wow does time go fast. The poster are rights all 3 could be doing their jobs another 10 years. David could go 25. I remember when Walter Cronkite was forced to resign at age 65. Wasn't Diane older in age than Walter when she did the news.

12-29-2014, 07:29 PM	#8
simmytbone Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 17, 2009 Posts: 1,513	Yes indeed it's true 10 years ago this month, Tom Brokaw retired from NBC Nightly News after 22 years, but he is still a News Correspondent with NBC News and after 21 years as the network's chief newsman – a record tenure in the history of NBC News Brian Williams who served as News Anchor for the Weekend Edition of NBC Nightly News took over since December 2, 2004 and to this day, Tom and Brian still remain good friends Brokaw is the only person to host all three major NBC News programs: The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and, briefly, Meet the Press. He now serves as a Special Correspondent for NBC News and works on documentaries for other outlets and has been with NBC for more than 40 years and this year also marks 5 years since Charlie Gibson retired from abc news after 34 years His final broadcast from World News Tonight was December 18, 2009, but he is now the narrator for abc's This Week with George Stephanopoulos Here's another fact for ya: Tom Brokaw is now 74, Brian Williams and Lester Holt who anchors Weekend Today and Weekend Nightly News are both 55 years old which means they are now both Senior Citizens and now, here are the Video Clips: Tom Brokaw's Final Broadcast of NBC Nightly News from December 1, 2004 Brian Williams begins his 1st day on NBC Nightly News from December 2, 2004 Brian Williams Thanks Viewers For Five Years of NBC Nightly News December 2, 2009 Brian Williams celebrated 10 years as News Anchor of NBC Nightly News December 2, 2014 Local anchors congratulate Brian Williams on 10 years on NBC Nightly News The "GMA" crew looks back at Charles Gibson's nearly 35 years at ABC News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osTjFy0j0T8 Charlie's Final abc news Broadcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdmGBGkOKU4 NBC Nightly News - Brian Williams Says Goodbye to his Good Friend Charles Gibson

02-14-2015, 04:37 PM	#10
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,181	As for Brian Williams, the last I heard he is off from anchoring the news for 6 months and Lester Holt will take his place during the six months. Who really knows what will happen in the mid summer. Will Brian fair well on his return ?