Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 24, 2008 at 14:34:15:
Nearly two weeks after WBBM-Channel 2 overhauled the anchor lineups on every one of its newscasts, the jury is still out.
Overall ratings for the CBS-owned station's marquee 10 p.m. newscast, where newcomer Anne State replaced 23-year market veteran Diann Burns alongside Rob Johnson, show virtually no change compared with February sweeps averages.
Some would argue it's a good sign, considering that most wholesale shakeups tend to alienate viewers at first. Others would say a lack of at least initial curiosity could mean continued trouble for the station.
Although Channel 2 remains a distant third behind its network rivals, insiders point to mostly favorable calls and e-mails about the changes along with a slight uptick in the ratings compared with the four weeks before the realignment.
"The buzz is encouraging," said Elizabeth Abrams, Channel 2's director of communications.