Brett Haber in CBS 2 News at 5:30's Open

Today, CBS 2 News at 5:30's opening was redone to include Brett Haber. The wording is now, "You're watching the CBS 2 Information Network... Live from Fifth Avenue, this is CBS 2 News at 5:30, with Angela Rae, Todd McDermott, David Roger's forecast, and Brett Haber's sports." Brett Haber has been doing occasional sports reports for the 5:30 newscast shortly after he joined last October. He has been doing "Haber's Sports Shorts" since April 27th, a regular feature to CBS 2 News at 5:30. In my opinion, the old voice-over change on May 18th didn't sound as good as the original one (which premiered on March 22nd). The new voice-over sounds like an improvement.

CBS 2 News At Noon: #1 And Up 10%

The Daily News reports on CBS 2's ratings for May 2001. Although CBS 2 News at 5:00 and at 6:00 are in third, CBS 2 News at Noon is still number one at 12:00. It averaged 353,716 households per day, that's almost 50% more than WABC-TV's noon newscast. CBS 2 also adds nearly 20% more households from the number one 11am show, "The Price Is Right".
(Thanks to Brian for sending me this article!)

A Change For Studio 59A

Studio 59A had a new look this afternoon. Windows on the left and right of the main desk are now covered by a light blue drop. This drop has been slightly used in the past, starting around early March. This makes the studio appear brighter, especially on dark and rainy days like today, but at the same time, the studio feels less spacious.

Tiki Barber on ESPN2

Brian tells me that Tiki Barber will appear on ESPN2 tonight. He will be one of two atheletes profiled on "The Life" at 7:30pm. Tiki plays for the New York Giants and is currently a CBS 2 News This Morning sportscaster for a few weeks. This show previously aired on ESPN last weekend.

"CBS 2 News" is Here!

Friday, 5/18/01, 6:45pm "CBS 2 News" Is Here!
It looks as if the name change to "CBS 2 News" has officially taken place. At 5:00, the "CBS 2 News at 5:00" opening was used. This has been used two times in the past few weeks. At 5:30, a new "CBS 2 News at 5:30" opening was used (the announcer recorded the voice over again). And at 6:00, it was called "CBS 2 News at 6:00". Previously, this opening has only been used once. "CBS 2 News This Morning" and "CBS 2 News at Noon" have been using the new title since late April.

"Eat At Your Own Risk" Is Helping CBS 2

The New York Post reports that Nightcast's ratings have increased due to the "Eat At Your Own Risk" special investigation. Approximately 375,000 households had CBS 2 on their television sets Monday night, which is 20% higher than the average viewing this month so far, and is 15% higher than May 2000. The investigative series is also credited with an 81% increase in visitors to cbsnewyork.com.
(Thanks to Brian for e-mailing this article to me!)

CBS 2 Wins New York Emmy Award

Eyewitness Network News reports that New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences held its 44th anual Emmy Awards last night. CBS 2 won one of the two awards they were nominated for. They won in the topic of "Outstanding Coverage of an Instant Breaking News Story" for Lou Young's report on the Edgewater Fire on August 30, 2000 (cameraperson: Charles Simmons, assignment editor: Alexis Wackenstein). They were also nominated in the "Outstanding Coverage of a Continuing News Story" category for Michael O'Looney's "Acid Attack" on February 11 and June 20, 2000.

CBS 2 News at 6:00

Today was the first time that the "CBS 2 News at 6:00" opening was used. "The News at Noon" changed to "CBS 2 News at Noon" on April 25th, then "CBS 2 News This Morning" on April 26th, followed by "CBS 2 News at 5:00" on April 26th and May 2nd. This appears to be a slow changeover because "CBS 2 News at 5:00" has only been used twice. More information on the name changes as soon as more information becomes available.

Nightcast Comes in Second Place Monday

The New York Post and the Daily News are reporting that CBS 2's "Nightcast" at 11:00 came in second place on Monday, finishing ahead of WABC. The rating was a 5.6, and was probably helped by CBS 2's investigative series, "Eat At Your Own Risk."
(Thanks to Brian for sending me these articles!)

CBS 2 Will Move Into New Studio

The New York Post reports that CBS 2 could be moving its morning and noon newscasts from their current Studio 59 (on the corner of 59th Street and Fifth Avenue) back to the CBS Broadcast Center (524 West 57th Street). The newspaper says that it's possible that other newscasts are moving into the new studio too. I have heard that the change can occur as soon as Monday, May 14th. More to come on this exciting story as more information is learned!
(Thanks to Brian for sending me this article!)