What Should Replace Jay Leno?

NBC has finally owned up to the fact America was not ready for Jay Leno in primetime. The question is, what IS America ready for now that the Peacock Network has failed on their promise to give Leno at least a year?

While the experiment was an attempt to cut operating costs in primetime, as well as giving Leno exposure in a comfy slot, NBC will need to fill five weeknights after the Olympics with an hour of programming each evening. Should the network re-work their original shows from those time slots BACK into their own evenings, or would you like to see something completely different? OR, for many, it doesn't matter what NBC does, you are not watching.

Are 7pm Newscasts Useful?

With 24-hour news channels, streaming newscasts, and instantly-updated websites, do local channels still have a stake in delivering news to residents? Two of our local affiliates have 7pm newscasts, with one focusing more on viewer feedback from previously run stories. Despite the economy, shrinking newsrooms, and less and less time for content, should newsrooms really be "expanding" their broadcasts?

In my hometown the experiment has been tried and tried again. In the Roanoke-Lynchburg area the ABC and NBC affils go with 7pm newscasts, while the CBS hits the traditional Wheel of Fortune-Jeopardy lineup. I'm not sure I'm sold on expanding the morning news to begin at 5am or 530am, AND adding a 7pm. Just opinion, but I would like to see research that shows these programs are viable adds.

Subtle Changes On Evening Newscasts

The times, they are a changing. Did anyone else notice Monday's CBS Evening News, or more specifically the intro? Gone is Walter Cronkite's stoic and timeless voiceover, replaced with that of Morgan Freeman's pipes. CBS says it was time for the inevitable in replacing the gone but never forgotten Cronkite, and the use of Freeman's voice will give the network more flexibility when cutting other promos and lead-ins.

When Diane Sawyer took over World News December 21st, gone was the tradition Charles Gibson continued as a homage to Peter Jennings. Each time Gibson welcomed viewers, it was with "Welcome to World News. Tonight..." Jennings anchored "World News Tonight" from 1983 until stepping down April 1, 2005 due to illness. An era has passed us by; please don't forget.

Are TV "bugs" Bugging You?

When they first appeared on air they served one purpose - to remind viewers what station they were watching. Television ID's, or "bugs," now display the time, promote upcoming shows, and sometimes use animation to grab your attention.

CNN was the first station to use a bug, mainly to prevent other news organizations from using their video footage, but companies have used the public's insatiable need for information to their advantage when creating these annoyances, which sometimes make a mockery of the "rule of thirds" on your screen. If you recall USA's month-long promotion of the Monk series finale, you know to what I'm referring.

So, do these ID's serve a viable purpose, or do you think networks and cable outlets have gone too far?

2010 TV Season Debuts

With many staple reality shows on hiatus for the first month of 2010, other series will roll out the start of their new season with debut episodes. A sampling of those launching in January are:

The Bachelor, January 4 - ABC
The Biggest Loser - Couples, January 5 - NBC
Chuck, January 10 - NBC
American Idol, Jan. 12 & !3 - FOX
24, January 17 - FOX
White Collar, January 19 - USA
Burn Notice, January 21 - USA
Psych, January 27 - USA

For more, please visit http://insidetv.aol.com/2009/12/26/january-2010-tv-premiere-dates-and-finales/

Arbitron And Your Radio Station

As a former radio disc-jockey, this time of year was always circled on the calendar. The Winter survey period for radio stations begins January 7th, so be on the lookout for a radio diary in your mailbox. Not everyone receives one of these, but they go a long way in determining your favorite station's rating, and eventually assists in a station setting their ad rates for advertisers.

Since the Fall '09 numbers aren't due to ship until late January, here are the top 5 stations from Spring '09, as reported on www.arbitron.com

Ranking as to AQH Share for Persons 12+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid*

1. WSLC - 94.9 FM Star Country
2. WSLQ - Q99
3. WKLK - K92
4. WROV - 96.3 WROV
5. WJJS - Jammin' JJS

In My Opinion...

Kudos to NBC for doing the right thing. In the midst of declining cable ratings, NBC aired for the third consecutive year the NHL's Winter Classic. What makes this event so captivating is the fact it's not in a hockey rink, but outside in a venerable baseball stadium. Boston's Fenway Park was this year's host, and as luck would have it the home team beat Philadelphia. Even baseball purists had to be proud.

Not only did the game go to overtime, and the 2010 U.S. Olympic Hockey team was announced, but the NHL donated $10,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Boston. Truly a feel-good story to start the new year. Now if only ESPN could buy back the broadcasting rights to NHL games.