“NBC Nightly News” is the latest network evening newscast to experiment with in-break teases.
Following the first block of “Nightly News” last night, as Brian Williams took viewers to a break, commercials for the drug Eliquis and Publishers Clearing House were pushed back to reveal one-sentence teases for upcoming stories, including: “Could an Eye Exam Detect Alzheimer’s?” and “Big Scare at the Beach. Caught on Camera.” This was the first time “Nightly” has done this, but we’re told the idea has been in the works for a while and has the full support of the ad sales team.
Earlier this month, we told you about “ABC World News with Diane Sawyer” which began using in-break teases in early May. We’ve reached out to CBS News to determine if “CBS Evening News” might also introduce the tactic, but we have not heard back.
In recent weeks, “World News” has been gaining on “Nightly News.” The ABC broadcast just won back-to-back weeks in the younger demo. “Nightly” has been the most-watched newscast for nearly 5 years. David Muir takes over as “World News” anchor in early September.