Katie Couric's appointment as the new nightly news anchor for CBS is official. So, will Couric have what it takes to draw ratings for CBS? Unfortunately it's a double edged sword. If she does bring younger viewers and increased audience numbers as CBS is hoping, all is well with the female media world. However, if the "newness" soon wares off, and ratings drop, then not only will it be viewed as a personal failure for Couric, but it will also be viewed as a failure for female anchors.
This will open the door for cynics to say women can't fill the prime time slot, and female anchors just aren't like-able for this or that reason. Women's eNews looked at the history of women in media, and pointed out that there hasn't been a consistent female evening news anchor since Connie Chung co-anchored with Dan Rather on CBS in 1993.
I was a television news producer for almost four years after college, and I can say that even today, women are treated differently in the news business. The male boss is always trying to intimidate and undermine the females. It's a hard business, one that requires thick skin, leadership, and a female that is head strong and not afraid to stand-up for herself. So I say best wishes to Ms. Couric, and I hope ratings go through the roof, and stay there.
I don't like the negative tone of the post this is in response to.
Even if Katie Couric does not garner the ratings CBS hopes she will bring, it will not be a failure for female news anchors. The fact that she has been given the job is a feat in itself. It is revolutionary. She will bring a fresh spin to the news which is losing viewers as it is.
And actually there has been a consistent woman news anchor. What about Elizabeth Vargas? She co-anchors the news with Bob Woodruff who just happenes to be taking time off because he is recovering from an injury resulting from the explosion of a bomb in Iraq.
You cannot substantiate saying that
"cynics (will) say women can't fill the prime time slot, and female anchors just aren't like-able for this or that reason.)
Sure, maybe some people will say that, but only those who are ignorant. I don't think any woman would say that.
If people do not take well to Couric as a nightly news anchor it will not be because she is a woman. It will be because people are used to seeing her in a more fun setting.
I honestly can say I don't see her in a serious anchor chair only because of her demonstrated personality on the Today Show, but that is not so say she can't do it.
CBS has done their research and did not just randomly decide to throw Couric into the position.
It is all about money and they aren't going to gamble blindly. It should be interesting to see what happens.
Posted by: Colett | April 11, 2006 11:01 PM | Permalink to Comment