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WBBM What's Next: You Decide


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Would something more catching to viewers work for the station like Channel 2 Action News (what top rated WSB in Atlanta uses)?? They need more compelling content and regular segments like WLS has.

 

When I flip on CBS 2 it seems so boring and generic--I also have never liked their boring blue CBS 2 logo--why not just use the CBS 2 branding when referring to the station like NBC 4 in LA does. The station is NBC 4 but it's the Channel 4 News and in New York its ABC 7, but Channel 7 Eyewitness News.

 

They might be better off changing the call letters or at least going by their new digital assignment to reinvent themselves--Chicago's new Channel 12 - Stronger and Better than Ever Before (referring to their new powerful signal on the VHF high band).

They might be better off changing the call letters or at least going by their new digital assignment to reinvent themselves--Chicago's new Channel 12 - Stronger and Better than Ever Before (referring to their new powerful signal on the VHF high band).

 

I doubt that they will brand their digital allocation, because the PSIPs will still read out as 2. And they'll have a higher power (8kw), higher than WLS's 4.75kw.

 

Another reason why for the growing rating woes at Channel 2 is that they can't sustain that rising ratings when they'd have it. That brings me to this one word.

 

HABIT

 

The reason why Channel 7 continues to be the 800lb. gorilla in the market is most people here in the Chi have that habit of turning on Channel 7 for their news. You can watch your favorite show on another channel at 9pm and when 10pm comes along, many folks would turn to Channel 7 for the news. What Channel 2 has to do at this point and I've been preaching on this almost forever, their content has to improve. They need to have that content that would have the viewer to continue to watch Channel 2. But because of this "Habit" most people have, they can change their content formula several times, and won't get more viewers watching their news.

 

When Mr. Kiernan comes back in the Chicagoland area and more in likely he will change Channel 2's content again, he better hope he can snag some Channel 5, Channel 9, FOX 32 viewers and maybe (and that's a strong maybe) brake some viewers that have that 7-habit (which I highly doubt that's going to happen anytime soon, but we'll see on 2/18 and afterwards). He needs to think in his mind, how can I break the 7 viewers habits and have a content that would feed viewers to continue watch the news on Channel 2.

 

As for the branding itself, I highly doubt that the higher ups at CBS would have WBBM drop the CBS mandate, and being one of the top 3 stations with the same branding (CBS 2). I remember back in the late 1990s-2003 when WCBS had their "News 2" branding and the earlier 90s during the "Total News" days, they used the "2 News" brand. So if they can finally get a ratings jump and maintain that (and that's a giant IF), maybe they should go to back to "Channel 2 News" brand but keep their CBS 2 logo in tack, or maybe changing it in the future.

 

But all they need to think about is to find a contact that would click with the viewers, ad if they get more ratings, find a way to maintain those ratings. But I highly doubt they would snag some Channel 7 viewers along the way.

I doubt that they will brand their digital allocation, because the PSIPs will still read out as 2. And they'll have a higher power (8kw), higher than WLS's 4.75kw.

 

Another reason why for the growing rating woes at Channel 2 is that they can't sustain that rising ratings when they'd have it. That brings me to this one word.

 

HABIT

 

The reason why Channel 7 continues to be the 800lb. gorilla in the market is most people here in the Chi have that habit of turning on Channel 7 for their news. You can watch your favorite show on another channel at 9pm and when 10pm comes along, many folks would turn to Channel 7 for the news. What Channel 2 has to do at this point and I've been preaching on this almost forever, their content has to improve. They need to have that content that would have the viewer to continue to watch Channel 2. But because of this "Habit" most people have, they can change their content formula several times, and won't get more viewers watching their news.

 

When Mr. Kiernan comes back in the Chicagoland area and more in likely he will change Channel 2's content again, he better hope he can snag some Channel 5, Channel 9, FOX 32 viewers and maybe (and that's a strong maybe) brake some viewers that have that 7-habit (which I highly doubt that's going to happen anytime soon, but we'll see on 2/18 and afterwards). He needs to think in his mind, how can I break the 7 viewers habits and have a content that would feed viewers to continue watch the news on Channel 2.

 

As for the branding itself, I highly doubt that the higher ups at CBS would have WBBM drop the CBS mandate, and being one of the top 3 stations with the same branding (CBS 2). I remember back in the late 1990s-2003 when WCBS had their "News 2" branding and the earlier 90s during the "Total News" days, they used the "2 News" brand. So if they can finally get a ratings jump and maintain that (and that's a giant IF), maybe they should go to back to "Channel 2 News" brand but keep their CBS 2 logo in tack, or maybe changing it in the future.

 

But all they need to think about is to find a contact that would click with the viewers, ad if they get more ratings, find a way to maintain those ratings. But I highly doubt they would snag some Channel 7 viewers along the way.

 

Never say never. Cohen himself was News Director when WNBC brought in the "4 New York" promotions, and when he took over and left WNBC, News 4 New York jumped back to #1. Cohen & Kiernan for sure will both work mano a mano on improving the quality and content of CBS 2. And not necessarily, Kiernan didn't have a Channel 7 News at 11 on Boston, but had strong station at 11, and from third to a big jump to #1. I say, give Kiernan time, he will for sure do positive gains on WBBM. Look at WBZ, WCCO and WTMJ. I suggest merging the posts about Kiernan to the other thread about Kiernan.

Never say never. Cohen himself was News Director when WNBC brought in the "4 New York" promotions, and when he took over and left WNBC, News 4 New York jumped back to #1. Cohen & Kiernan for sure will both work mano a mano on improving the quality and content of CBS 2. And not necessarily, Kiernan didn't have a Channel 7 News at 11 on Boston, but had strong station at 11, and from third to a big jump to #1. I say, give Kiernan time, he will for sure do positive gains on WBBM. Look at WBZ, WCCO and WTMJ. I suggest merging the posts about Kiernan to the other thread about Kiernan.

 

Look at Ahern. He somehow made what WLS is today (at least I'm giving him that much credit). But then he went to WBBM and while he had some ratings growth, he didn't maintain it and the ratings stayed in the cellar. What kind of difference does it make if the Cohen & Kiernan adminstration won't be the same result as Ahern & Fowler and the rest behind them? Folks are hoping for the best at Channel 2 but you have to expect the worst outcome at the same time. This is a giant gamble for CBS. And if this doesn't work next year, I dunno if anyone would save Channel 2 @ Block 37 at this point.

I doubt that they will brand their digital allocation, because the PSIPs will still read out as 2. And they'll have a higher power (8kw), higher than WLS's 4.75kw.

 

Another reason why for the growing rating woes at Channel 2 is that they can't sustain that rising ratings when they'd have it. That brings me to this one word.

 

HABIT

 

The reason why Channel 7 continues to be the 800lb. gorilla in the market is most people here in the Chi have that habit of turning on Channel 7 for their news. You can watch your favorite show on another channel at 9pm and when 10pm comes along, many folks would turn to Channel 7 for the news. What Channel 2 has to do at this point and I've been preaching on this almost forever, their content has to improve. They need to have that content that would have the viewer to continue to watch Channel 2. But because of this "Habit" most people have, they can change their content formula several times, and won't get more viewers watching their news.

 

When Mr. Kiernan comes back in the Chicagoland area and more in likely he will change Channel 2's content again, he better hope he can snag some Channel 5, Channel 9, FOX 32 viewers and maybe (and that's a strong maybe) brake some viewers that have that 7-habit (which I highly doubt that's going to happen anytime soon, but we'll see on 2/18 and afterwards). He needs to think in his mind, how can I break the 7 viewers habits and have a content that would feed viewers to continue watch the news on Channel 2.

 

As for the branding itself, I highly doubt that the higher ups at CBS would have WBBM drop the CBS mandate, and being one of the top 3 stations with the same branding (CBS 2). I remember back in the late 1990s-2003 when WCBS had their "News 2" branding and the earlier 90s during the "Total News" days, they used the "2 News" brand. So if they can finally get a ratings jump and maintain that (and that's a giant IF), maybe they should go to back to "Channel 2 News" brand but keep their CBS 2 logo in tack, or maybe changing it in the future.

 

But all they need to think about is to find a contact that would click with the viewers, ad if they get more ratings, find a way to maintain those ratings. But I highly doubt they would snag some Channel 7 viewers along the way.

 

I agree with you. I am used to watching ABC 7 News and am really not interested in what CBS 2 has on or NBC 5 for that matter. Some evenings, I'll keep ABC 7 on from 4:00pm-7:00pm. By using different anchor teams for each newscast, each one feels like a different show to me. I have to say if it was the same two anchors on all evening long, I doubt I'd tune into all three newscasts. I've always thought this was an interesting strategy by WLS. In fact if you recall in the late 90s, the 4, 5, 6, and 10pm newcasts all had two different anchors. But even today they still offer more variety in anchors than the other stations.

 

I do like Bob Sirott and Marion Brooks on NBC 5 News and some of their other on-air talent, but usually it isn't enough to make me turn the channel from 7.

 

I'd have to say that ME-TV 23 is right behind channel 7 in my TV viewing habits of local stations.

I agree with you. I am used to watching ABC 7 News and am really not interested in what CBS 2 has on or NBC 5 for that matter. Some evenings, I'll keep ABC 7 on from 4:00pm-7:00pm. By using different anchor teams for each newscast, each one feels like a different show to me. I have to say if it was the same two anchors on all evening long, I doubt I'd tune into all three newscasts. I've always thought this was an interesting strategy by WLS. In fact if you recall in the late 90s, the 4, 5, 6, and 10pm newcasts all had two different anchors. But even today they still offer more variety in anchors than the other stations.

 

I do like Bob Sirott and Marion Brooks on NBC 5 News and some of their other on-air talent, but usually it isn't enough to make me turn the channel from 7.

 

I'd have to say that ME-TV 23 is right behind channel 7 in my TV viewing habits of local stations.

 

Why do we have similar viewing habits!!?? Weigel's MeTV franchise is off the chain. It reminds me of the programming from the old FOX 32 and Channel 50's Pre-Fox Days.

 

Channel 7 is like the only station you see different anchor pairs during the 4, 5 & 6pm shows. 1998 was the year Ron came to 7 from 5 and yes, they were different anchors even on the 10pm show. Joel & Linda at 4, Ron & Diann at 5, Alan & Kathy at 6 & John & Diann at 10. Cheryl was still doing weekends at the time. Now it's at least 2 personalities are either anchoring or featuring at least 2 newscasts everyday, excluding the morning anchors but at times they'll fill in at 11am. It does get stale when you see the same anchors on all the evening shows. Maybe Channels 2 & 5 should get a different anchor pair on either their 5 or 6pm shows.

 

Now, Channel 7's 6pm show, even though it features some of the same reporters that reported on similar assignments on their 4pm newscasts, it still feels like a different show. Also on their hourly 4pm show, notice at the start of their second half, they mostly use a different headline of a different story. They don't go back to the 4pm headline unless that story was developing. And their longtime segments during those evening shows (Health Beat, Consumer Corner, Dollar Signs, etc.), that's their content formula they'd followed through for years and it has worked for them in the long run.

 

I dunno what Channel 2 is going to do. But they do have some time. The February books is rescheduled to March because of the DTV Transition. I know it will be painfully difficult to try to get a ratings boost. They need to come up with a game plan and if one part of that plan works, they need to follow through and not hold back.

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