Broadcast Wars
Broadcast Wars | Trailer
Clip | 1m 56sVideo has Closed Captions
In the ratings wars of the 70s and 80s, local TV news was as vital as it was entertaining.
There was a time when people would stop what they were doing and watch the local evening news. Twin Cities PBS’ Broadcast Wars, co-produced with Cathy Wurzer, takes us back a half century to the era when ratings battles were fierce, women and people of color were making their presence known, technology was rapidly evolving, and local TV news was as vital as it was entertaining.
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Broadcast Wars is a local public television program presented by Twin Cities PBS
Broadcast Wars
Broadcast Wars | Trailer
Clip | 1m 56sVideo has Closed Captions
There was a time when people would stop what they were doing and watch the local evening news. Twin Cities PBS’ Broadcast Wars, co-produced with Cathy Wurzer, takes us back a half century to the era when ratings battles were fierce, women and people of color were making their presence known, technology was rapidly evolving, and local TV news was as vital as it was entertaining.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Broadcast Wars
Broadcast Wars is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, LG TV, and Vizio.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(knob clicking) - Good evening, everyone, "The Scene Tonight" moves- - [Cathy] There was a time when people would stop what they were doing to watch the evening news.
- [Mark] The local news was everything.
- [Don] We were going to be the pinnacle of big J journalism.
- [Cyndy] You were right there at the zeitgeist.
- [Cathy] TV stations with the most viewers made the most money.
- [Marcia] The moral high ground doesn't make them any money unless it makes you number one.
- [Pat] We were reminded of ratings all the time.
- [Chris] We had higher ratings than the other three stations combined.
- [Cyndy] It was stressful, we all felt it.
We knew it even though nobody ever talked to us about it.
- [Paul] I disliked them both so much.
- I wanted to beat 'em every night.
- [Diana] We were number four, we had a long ways to go.
And who will care?
- [Don] No one saw them coming.
- [Paul] We did monstrous, shocking numbers.
- [Ron] A newscast may not win with a good anchor, but you're never gonna win without one.
- I can stop doing this stuff all afternoon, just watch.
- [Cyndy] In one stroke, I was told, "You're not qualified to do this."
- [Don] You're never good enough.
You're never good enough.
- [Pat] I would have panic attacks.
- [Brian] It's just showbiz, anybody that struggled with that wasn't made for the game.
- [Don] Do I even have a future in this business?
- [Lou] What's your problem with Black people?
I'm Black and I'm a reporter, I can be both.
- If you want any help with the big words- - [Pat] I cried and I felt sick to my stomach.
I'm still not over it, I'm still not over it.
- [Cathy] And what happened because of those ratings wars forever changed the television industry and the local TV landscape.
- It was cutthroat, seriously.
- It's too personal to make sense.
- They might not like what they're seeing, but they're watching.
- Well, thank you, you son of a bitch.
(exciting music) (anchors talking indistinctly) (TV clicking)
Now PlayingVideo has Closed Captions
In the ratings wars of the 70s and 80s, local TV news was as vital as it was entertaining. (1m 56s)
Video has Closed Captions
In the ratings wars of the 70s and 80s, local TV news was as vital as it was entertaining. (30s)
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Broadcast Wars is a local public television program presented by Twin Cities PBS