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Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
I watched the very first new version of the CBS Evening News, featuring the dual anchors of Maurice Dubois and John Dickerson. It was definitely different than its brethren on NBC and ABC. But was that for the better?
It’s not fair to judge any show on its first episode, but here are a few observations:
-The dual anchors were sitting beside each other, each taking a sentence throwing to a story. It was pretty pointless to have two of them and there doesn’t seem to be any real reason for them to both be there. The set is pretty high tech with tons of graphics being projected onto the wide screens behind them,
-It was a small thing, but anchor John Dickerson continuously held onto his glasses for the whole show almost like a prop, but never put them on once. What does he need them for? It just seemed odd and it was a quirk that annoyed me for some reason.
-As for the news, there were a lot of debriefs and their lead yarn – which started with a story on the new Chinese AI DeepSeek - ended up being about an Asian-born U.S. soldier convicted of leaking secrets to the Chinese. It was quite good and neither of the other two networks had it.
-There were a lot of debriefs with reporters after their stories aired, which took up a lot of time and left less for other news.
-And this was different – in the very first break, they did a kind of split screen as the commercials played, where you could see the anchors sitting at the desk, with one-line headlines underneath and temperatures from various places around the world – including right at the end, Toronto, where you’ll be pleased to know the high and the low for the day was 24 degrees F.
-Speaking of weather, they did throw to meteorologist Lonnie Quinn in a promised high tech weather set, complete with multiple wide screens and a map which he stood on to illustrate winter storms coming.
-After the first pack, it was all Dubois introducing the remaining stories, making you wonder what Dickerson was there for in the first place.
-During each break and during the intro and extro of the show, we got a wide shot of the set, with a floor director making hand gestures at the anchors.
All in all, a good professional first effort, I guess, but why they did some of the things they did I found baffling. It has promise, but there’s no real reason that I can see for dual anchors. And for God's sake Mr. Dickerson, either wear the glasses or lose them altogether. But stop futzing around with them for the whole show.
I'll be sticking with Lester Holt.
- paterson1
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Re: Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
I watched part of the broadcast. Nice looking and compact set. I agree with RA, I didn't like the way the anchors would share a story and split up the sentences. Doesn't seem to be any point in this. Harvey and Lloyd never did that as I recall.
Scott Pelley would also hold his glasses reading or when he was interviewing someone. He had a habit of putting the tip of the glasses arm in his mouth when listening to an answer. Didn't bother me but he did this quite a bit.
Overall what I saw, the broadcast was good, and I noticed they had the same theme music. I am not a CBS viewer for news however, and if I watch any US 6:30 news it would be Lester or sometimes ABC.
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Re: Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
At least they're trying something different.
Another take from Deadline:
"[Executive producer Bill] Owens also has signaled less “filler” and longer segments, giving the evening broadcast some feel of 60 Minutes with the reports even adding credits to the producer and editor. 60 Minutes correspondents also may show up from time to time."
As Era Of The Star Anchor Fades, CBS’ ‘Evening News’ Overhaul Puts Focus On Correspondents In The Field
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Thread Starter- ED1
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Re: Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
The producers of the retooled CBS Evening News designed the show in the context that the viewer has been paying attention to news stories throughout the day on their phone, computer, or elsewhere, and are now looking for in-depth reporting on just a handful of the big stories. It’s not a bad format, and hopefully it won’t evolve too much in 6 months time.
If you’re and American viewer expecting to get caught up on the national/international news of the day around the dinner hour, NBC and ABC are probably the best places for that.
- paterson1
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Re: Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
I watched the full broadcast last night. Again well done, although the weather segment seemed rushed and there wasn't really much to report on. Weather forecaster had no tie which some people will think strange for the 6:30 network news.
I think the two anchors are sitting a little too close together and I am not sure they should both be sitting directly facing the camera. Harvey and Lloyd were on an angle and always had their own camera for a story. They wouldn't show the other anchor when one was reading. CBS has been doing this a bit and it seems a bit off.
- RadioActive
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Re: Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
I'm not totally against the concept of what they're trying to do, with fewer stories and more longform reports, but in an era of "short attention" spans, I'm not entirely sure it will attract enough of an audience to work in the long run.
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Thread Starter- Scarboroughbluffsradiof99
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Re: Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
CTV news has 2 anchers and their doing a great job with that format.
I'm also glad they brot back w5.
You can watch it for free on youtube.
- paterson1
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Re: Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
I watched most of the CBS news again this evening and I must admit the format is starting to grow on me. I like that the program doesn't have the overly dramatic opening music and a urgent style to start the broadcast. The opening segments on NBC and ABC are similar with the music and very long opening promo. ABC's beginning teaser is usually too long, NBC is a bit better.
Noticed that the reporters for CBS news generally are older and take more time to deliver the story. They seem more seasoned. Not sure however this is what the audience would be looking for.
Like RA, I give them points for fewer and longer reports (sort of what CBC has done for many years) but again it will be interesting to see if this was a good move. CBS already skews older for most of their programming and if they are ok with this to continue for their 6:30 news fine.
Again, not sure about the weather. Too fast and rushed, which counters the more relaxed delivery of the rest of the broadcast, and too much tech which doesn't seem necessary. Presenter was dressed in a somewhat ugly suit with no tie again this evening.
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Re: Some Thoughts On The First New Double Anchor CBS Evening News
The content is actually pretty good. But getting people to sample the perennial third place newscast is not going to be easy.
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