WBBM Drops Marin’s Newscast

The broadcast, anchored by Carol Marin, gained national recognition for its hard-news approach, cutting out commercial tie-ins and chatter between the anchor and reporters.

But since it premiered in February, the show has ranked near the bottom in the five-station fight for evening news ratings supremacy.

The announcement comes two days after Marin was awarded a local Emmy award for excellence as a news anchor — an acknowledgment for a program that received critical acclaim from media insiders, but never caught the eye of Chicago viewers.

In a memo to her colleagues quoted by The Chicago Tribune, Marin emphasized the importance of the newscast’s integrity over its public perception.

“I know that ratings are one measure of success.” Marin wrote. “Fine work by excellent professionals is a truer measure. It’s been an honor.”

Marin will stay in Chicago, but as a full-time correspondent for CBS News, contributing to 60 Minutes and 60 Minutes II. Marin has been a contributor to the latter program since December 1998.

Marin will officially announce her departure tonight during her final 10pm broadcast.