TVNewser has obtained an internal memo sent from CBS News and Sports president Sean McManus to all of CBS News (as well as the big boss) in relation to the network’s across-the-board, year-to-year increases:
From: McManus, Sean
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:07 PM
To: @CND News
Cc: Moonves, Leslie
Subject: Message from Sean McManusI am very pleased to share with you the following press release, which illustrates that the enormous progress we have made at CBS News is quantitative, as well as qualitative. I have always said that the only way to consistently grow our ratings is by steadily improving the quality of our broadcasts, and I believe that we have done that across the board. We still have a lot of work to do, but let’s take a moment to appreciate just how well we did as a team during this just completed television season. Congratulations to everyone and thank you for your commitment and dedication.
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Click continued to see the release…
CBS NEWS IS THE ONLY NETWORK NEWS DIVISION
TO GROW AUDIENCES FOR EVERY PROGRAM
CBS News is the only network news division to post audience increases for all of its programs this season. THE CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC, 60 MINUTES, FACE THE NATION, THE EARLY SHOW, 48 HOURS and SUNDAY MORNING all grew their audiences compared to last season, according to the most current Nielsen data.
“CBS News was in front of more stories than any other news organization this season, and I am pleased that it paid off in audience growth,” said CBS News and Sports President Sean McManus. “The steady progress CBS News is making on all fronts these days is a significant victory against the industry trend.”
Highlights include:
THE CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC:
Closes gap with ABC “World News Tonight” by almost 350,000 viewers
Only network evening news program to gain total viewers
Strong political reporting in election year marked by Couric’s Sarah Palin interview
60 MINUTES:
Grows total viewer average by +1.3 million/+10 percent
14.29 million total viewer average is best since 2002
Finishes as the 13th highest ranked program overall – best Nielsen ranking since 2000
Makes weekly top 10 for 17 of 31 telecasts – eight times in the top five
Is the #1 program for two straight weeks for first time in 16 years
Increases adults 18-49 audience by +8 percent
Total viewer average is twice that of its nearest news magazine competition
Big interviews include first post election with Obama, hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger
FACE THE NATION:
Grows its total viewers by +15 percent – a 410,000 increase
Closes gap with NBC’s “Meet the Press” by 881,000 viewers
First post-inaugural interviews of President Obama and Vice President Biden
Exclusives with John McCain on torture and Dick Cheney on defense/terror/Republicans
THE EARLY SHOW:
Is the only network daily morning news show to grow its audience
Best May Sweeps in 14 years; cuts gap with ABC “GMA” by 310,000 viewers
“Out gets” competition for Susan Boyle, “Fr. Oprahâ€, Levi Johnston, the Anthonys
SATURDAY EARLY SHOW grows total viewers by +10 percent
48 HOURS:
Grows total viewers by nearly +350,000
Is Saturday night’s #1 program 16 times this season
Third straight season it is the night’s top-rated non-sports program
Advances stories on Craig’s List killer, Amanda Knox
SUNDAY MORNING:
Is the most-watched Sunday morning program for sixth straight season
Grows total viewers by +5 percent
4.99 million average audience is the program’s best finish in three seasons
793,000