A RATINGS "SURVIVOR?"
August 25, 2000

An Online NewsHour Report The finale of summer blockbuster "Survivor" propelled many local CBS affiliates to the top of the ratings charts, but WBBM-Chicago's troubled "no frills" evening newscast managed only second place. Two experts discuss "Survivor" mania. A report on WBBM's "no-frills" newscast. Carol Marin responds to viewer questions. (May '00)

Online Special Media Watch Aug. 24, 2000: Two experts discuss "Survivor" mania. July 5, 2000: A look at the rise of reality TV. May 24, 2000: A Chicago newscast chooses facts over fluff. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of the media     WBBM-TV -- Chicago WLS-TV -- Chicago WMAQ-TV -- Chicago	The broadcast, anchored by Carol Marin, has gained national recognition for its hard-news approach, cutting out commercial tie-ins and chatter between the anchor and reporters. But the show has ranked near the bottom of the heap in the five-station fight for evening news ratings supremacy. The Chicago Tribune reports Wednesday night's numbers were the newscast's best showing in its six-month lifespan. Coming in first, despite "Survivor," was perennial front-runner WLS. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, WLS was the only ABC-owned station in the country to overcome the "Survivor" hype and win its evening news timeslot. Walter DeHaven, WBBM's vice president and general manager, said in a memo to staff printed in the Sun-Times that he hoped the station's post-"Survivor" bounce would have a lasting impact. "We are sure to get a bump today in our other newscasts due to the 'afterglow' of the event," DeHaven said. Marin's newscast led Wednesday with a report on "Survivor" and commentary by famed Chicago newsman John Callaway. According to Neilsen numbers, WLS posted a 12.6 rating and a 20 share -- more than double its lead-in audience. WBBM garnered an 11.8/18, and NBC affiliate WMAQ came in third with an 8.9/14. A local ratings point in Chicago equals 32,047 households, and a share denotes the percentage of sets in use.

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