Viewers judge WCBS harshly;Ratings dive without hit show.(Brief Article)

Crain's New York Business, December, 1999 by block, valerie

WNBC was New York's biggest winner during the important November sweeps, dominating every category from prime time to local news. WCBS won a more dubious distinction. The local television station achieved the worst November ratings in its history. The CBS network's flagship has been floundering for nearly a decade.

This season, it has been devastated by the loss of Judge Judy to Channel 4. WCBS forfeited the hit show -- also the lead-in to its evening newscasts -- in a bungled contract negotiation. To make matters worse, The Early Show with Bryant Gumbel has yet to catch on, and the Jets are on a losing streak. "The station is really struggling across the board," says Linda Ranieri, vice president of media buying firm Gallagher Group. The station's...

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