Page 29 - ARUBA TODAY

A29
PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 15 July 2019

CBS News takes some chances with new anchor, Norah O’Donnell

By DAVID BAUDER in the news?” said Zirinsky, O’Donnell, 45, spent seven
AP Media Writer who enjoyed nearly 20 years on “CBS This Morn-
NEW YORK (AP) — Long years working in CBS’ Wash- ing,” but her roots are in
consigned to the evening ington bureau. “That’s not Washington reporting. She
news ratings basement, constricting. That’s liberat- covered the White House
CBS News figures it can’t ing. That opens channels for both CBS and NBC, and
hurt to take some chances. for us.” got her start in the business
The first was the appoint- The “CBS Evening News” following Congress at Roll
ment of a new anchor, has been behind ABC and Call.
Norah O’Donnell, who NBC in the ratings for de- Back in Washington, she’ll
takes over Monday at the cades, through anchors be able to call sources and
start of what promises to be Dan Rather, Katie Couric, take lunches for quick up-
a busy midsummer week. Bob Schieffer, Scott Pel- dates on stories. The prox-
The second comes in No- ley and Jeff Glor. This sea- imity to power is important,
vember, when the “CBS son, ABC’s “World News since so many stories have
Evening News” leaves New Tonight” is averaging 8.7 Washington roots. Perhaps This image released by CBS shows Norah O’Donnell, host of the
York for Washington, D.C. million viewers, NBC’s it can help O’Donnell land new “CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell.”
CBS News President Susan “Nightly News” is at 8.1 mil- an interview with President Associated Press
Zirinsky is bullish on the ad- lion and CBS is at 6 million, Donald Trump; rivals Lester curiosity about the news. neatly tie her in the audi-
vantages the moves will of- the Nielsen company said. Holt at NBC and George That may sound simple, but ence’s mind to network
fer, and says CBS will guard Behind Glor, the gap wid- Stephanopoulos at ABC not every anchor has that, history, since many Ameri-
against any temptation to ened: CBS’ drop of 5% in have had memorable ses- she said. cans experienced space
become Washington-cen- viewership from last year sions. “I’m fascinated by the travel through the words of
tric. That’s a consideration is steeper than the others, Zirinsky said she’d been amount of material she legendary anchor Walter
for a broadcast where its who had little change. considering moving the can take in, synthesize and Cronkite.
strongest markets competi- Dismissed by many in televi- evening newscast to Wash- reveal to the audience in O’Donnell grew up in San
tively are in the middle of sion for its older audiences, ington even before decid- a meaningful, understand- Antonio — between her,
the country. the evening newscasts are ing to replace Glor with able way,” she said. Pelley, Schieffer and Rath-
“Why not try something that still durable institutions. Even O’Donnell. On Tuesday, O’Donnell er, Texas roots seem to be
could distinguish us and the “CBS Evening News” She’s impressed that is set to travel to Florida, another tradition for CBS
have the ability to bring us routinely draws more eye- O’Donnell, who will also marking the 50th anni- News anchors.
closer to the people who balls than attention-seek- be managing editor of the versary of the Apollo 11
make decisions that are ing cable news hosts. broadcast, has a genuine launch. CBS hopes that will Continued on Page 30